Ava Monroe
Nail injuries are common and can be caused by a blow to the nail, closing a finger or toe in a door, or even from wearing ill-fitting shoes. Nails can be torn, jagged, or split, and there may be blood trapped under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma. In some cases, the nail may fall off due to the injury, or it may need to be removed by a medical professional. If the nail is lost, it typically takes about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal, and a new fingernail will take around 4 to 6 months to grow back, while a toenail can take up to 12 months.
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What You'll Learn
Fingernails regrow in 4-6 months
Fingernails can be injured in several ways, including a blow to the nail, closing the finger in a door, or biting your nails. In the event of nail trauma, it's important to know that a new nail will grow in and replace the old one. Nails do not reattach to the nail bed once they have separated from it.
If you lose a fingernail, it will take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal. A new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow back. Toenails, on the other hand, take much longer to regrow, anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.
The rate of nail regrowth can vary depending on several factors, including age, hormone levels, overall health, and climate. Nails tend to grow slower in older adults and in colder climates. Additionally, nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster.
While waiting for your nails to regrow, it's important to keep the area clean, dry, and protected. You can also take biotin supplements to help strengthen your nails and prevent them from breaking.
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Toenails take 12-18 months
Toenails usually take 12 to 18 months to grow back. Nails will not reattach themselves to the nail bed after they have separated from it, but a new nail will slowly regrow. If the nail is still attached, you can take some steps to care for it at home. You should gently wash any minor cuts or scrapes and apply a bandage if needed. For more serious injuries, you should go to an urgent care center or the emergency room. They will stop the bleeding, clean the wound, and may numb the toe with medicine before treating it.
If the nail is only partly attached, use scissors to remove the detached part. Soak your toe in cold water for 20 minutes after trimming the nail. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and cover the area with a non-stick bandage. Soak your foot in a solution of one teaspoon of salt dissolved in four cups of warm water for 20 minutes, two or three times a day, for the next three days. Reapply petroleum jelly and cover with a fresh adhesive bandage. Keep the nail bed dry, clean, and covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage until the nail bed is firm or the nail has grown back.
If the nail has completely come off, it may be more comfortable to replace it and hold it in place with a bandage. You should still follow the aftercare instructions outlined above, keeping the nail bed clean and covered until it is firm. If the nail cannot be reattached, your healthcare provider may replace it with a special type of material to protect the nail bed as it heals. They may also prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
As your toenail grows back, it may have grooves or ridges and be somewhat misshapen. This may be permanent. To prevent further injury to the nail, wear properly sized shoes and keep your toenails trimmed.
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Nails won't reattach after separation
Fingernails and toenails can be injured by a blow to the nail, by trapping them in a door or drawer, or by wearing ill-fitting shoes. This kind of trauma can result in blood under the nail, known as subungual haematoma, or a torn, jagged, or split nail. Repeated trauma to the toenails can lead to deformities, and habits such as nail biting can also cause trauma to the nails.
If the nail is torn or jagged, it should be trimmed to avoid further injury. If the nail lifts completely off the nail bed, it may be most comfortable to replace the nail and hold it in place with a bandage. Nails will not reattach themselves to the nail bed after they have separated from it, but in most cases, a new nail will slowly regrow. Toenails, in particular, can take up to 12 to 18 months to grow back completely.
If the trauma to the nail injures the nail matrix (the tissue inside the cuticle where new nails are formed), a ridge or split can develop, and this may be permanent. If the nail cannot be reattached, a doctor may replace it with a special type of material. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection.
Onycholysis is the medical term for when a nail separates from the skin underneath it (the nail bed). It is usually caused by trauma or injury to the nail or nail matrix, but it can also be caused by fungi, allergies, or certain medical conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, thyroid disease, or vitamin D deficiency. It is characterised by nail discoloration (grey, green, purple, white, or yellow), dents or pits in the nails, crumbling nails, and hemorrhages underneath the nails. While onycholysis is not usually painful, the condition that causes it may be. Treatment for onycholysis involves cutting away the separated nail as it grows out and, in the case of a fungal infection, taking oral or topical antifungal medication.
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Treat at home or go to the hospital
A nail injury can result from a blow to the nail, closing the finger or toe in a door, or a hammer injury. This can cause blood under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma, or a nail bruise. Nails can also be torn, split, or have a splinter underneath.
If you have a nail injury, the treatment will depend on the type and seriousness of the injury. Most nail injuries are best managed in a hospital's emergency department, and you should be seen within six hours of the injury. Calling an ambulance is unnecessary unless there are other more serious injuries.
You can treat a nail injury at home if:
- You are able to stop any bleeding quickly by applying pressure with a clean cloth.
- The nail is not cut, torn, or pulled off the nail bed.
- The nail bruise occupies less than 25% of the total nail.
- The finger or toe is not bent or deformed.
- There are no lacerations or avulsions of the nail.
If you are treating at home, keep the hand or foot elevated above the level of the heart to help with throbbing. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for pain if you are not allergic to these medications. Wash any cuts or scrapes with soap and water, then apply an antibiotic ointment and a bandage.
You should go to a hospital's emergency department if:
- There is any laceration or amputation of the nail, nail bed, or surrounding skin.
- The nail is sticking out or pulled off the nail bed (nail avulsion).
- The nail bruise takes up more than 25% of the total nail, or you want it to be drained.
- The finger or toe is bent or deformed, indicating a possible bone fracture or tendon injury.
- There is continuing, intense pain.
- There are signs of infection, such as fever, redness, warmth, swelling, or significant pain.
If you lose your nail, it will take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal. A new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow back, and a toenail will take about 12 months. The new nail may have grooves or ridges and be misshapen, and this may be permanent.
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Infections are a risk after injury
Fingernails typically regrow in about two months, whereas toenails can take anywhere from four months to a year to grow back. If the injury involves the nail bed, some cosmetic changes may be permanent. In the event of a nail injury, it is crucial to address the risk of infection. Basic wound care is similar for all nail injuries, but specific repair techniques will depend on the type of injury.
Nail injuries can range from a nail laceration, which involves cutting through the nail or nail bed, to a nail avulsion, where the nail lifts off the nail bed. In the case of a nail avulsion, the nail may eventually fall off as the new nail grows back. This process can take several months, during which proper care is essential to prevent infection.
Infections are a serious risk after a nail injury. Basic wound care includes cleaning the wound to allow for a closer examination by a doctor. A tetanus shot may be necessary if it has been over ten years since the last one. In addition, the finger or toe may be numbed to prepare for repair. To prevent bleeding during the procedure, a tourniquet may be used to slow blood flow.
It is important to watch for signs of infection, such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus. If the nail is torn or jagged, it should be trimmed to prevent further injury. Keeping the nail bed dry, clean, and covered with a thin layer of petroleum jelly and a bandage is crucial until the nail has grown back. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection.
Certain individuals are at a higher risk of infection. This includes people with diabetes, AIDS, or those undergoing chemotherapy. Additionally, those with poor circulation or other conditions that affect their ability to fight infection are more susceptible. Taking these precautions and being vigilant about any signs of infection is vital to ensure a nail injury heals properly without complications.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 4 to 6 months for a fingernail to grow back.
If your nail falls off, you can replace it with a bandage to hold it in place. Nails will not reattach to the nail bed after they have separated, but a new nail will slowly grow back.
If you can stop the bleeding quickly, you may be able to care for a nail injury at home. Remove any jewellery from your hand. Gently wash any minor cuts or scrapes and apply a bandage if needed.
