Isla Bennett
Nails grow at a rate of about 0.004 inches (0.1 millimeters) per day, and it can take up to six months for a nail to fully regrow. In the meantime, there are several at-home treatments to help heal broken nails, such as using glue, tape, or a tea bag to protect the nail and promote even growth. If there is bleeding or injury to the nail bed, it is important to seek medical attention to prevent infection or further injury. To promote nail health and faster growth, it is recommended to keep nails trimmed short, moisturize regularly, and avoid biting or picking at nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average nail growth rate | 0.004 inches (0.1 millimeters) per day |
| Average time for a nail to completely grow back | Up to six months |
| First aid for a broken nail | Wash the injury with clean, warm water, pat dry, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a bandage |
| Treatment for an infected nail | Soak nails in saltwater, or place hands in warm milk or olive oil |
| Ways to strengthen nails | Keep nails short, moisturize nails regularly, avoid nail polish for a few weeks, avoid harsh chemicals and antibacterial products, and take biotin supplements |
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What You'll Learn
Healing a broken nail at home
A broken nail happens when part of your nail gets torn, chipped, split, smashed, or broken off. This can result from your nail getting caught on something or being involved in some kind of finger trauma. In some cases, the nail can get completely torn off, crushed, or pinched, or blood can pool beneath the nail. This is known as a subungual haematoma.
Serious breaks can injure the nail bed and nail matrix, where the cells that make up the nail are produced. If not treated properly, the nail may stop growing back from the nail matrix. If you lose a large portion of your nail or experience heavy bleeding, seek immediate medical attention to prevent infection or further injury.
- If the nail is still partly attached, use scissors to remove the detached part of the nail.
- Soak your finger or 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 hand or 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.
- Apply a new adhesive bandage whenever the bandage gets wet.
- Watch for signs of infection, such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus.
For a chipped nail:
- If the nail is chipped at the tip, trim the rest of the nail tip down until the entire tip is even.
- If the nail is chipped below the tip, trim the nail down and apply a small piece of tape, glue, or tea bag material on top of the chip to help it grow back evenly.
- If the nail is chipped on the side, wash the area with clean, warm water, gently pat dry, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a bandage or gauze and medical tape.
To promote the growth of healthy new nails:
- Apply cuticle oil and hand cream after every hand wash.
- Avoid buffing, as it removes the protective top layers of the nail, making them thinner and more prone to peeling and splitting.
- Perform a regular weekly manicure: remove any polish with plain acetone, file the free edge of the nail with a fine-grit file into a shorter oval or almond shape, gently push back the proximal nail fold, and remove the cuticle.
- To prevent hangnails, gently file any hard skin at the sides of the nail.
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When to see a doctor
In most cases, broken nails can be treated at home and do not require a visit to the doctor. However, there are certain situations where seeking medical attention is necessary:
- Heavy bleeding or loss of a large portion of the nail: If you experience significant bleeding or lose a large part of your nail, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. They can advise on the appropriate next steps and help prevent further injury or infection.
- Infection: Signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, increasing pain, or pus, indicate the need for medical attention. See a doctor right away if you suspect an infection, as prompt treatment is crucial.
- Nail bed injury: If your broken nail has caused damage to the nail bed or nail matrix, seek immediate medical attention. These injuries can affect nail growth and proper treatment is essential to prevent further complications.
- Subungual hematoma: In some cases, blunt trauma to the nail can result in bleeding between the nail and the nail bed, known as a subungual hematoma. This type of injury warrants a visit to the doctor to ensure proper care and management.
- Persistent or severe pain: While some pain is expected with a broken nail, if the pain is severe or persists for an extended period, it may indicate a more serious issue. Consult a doctor if the pain does not subside or worsens over time.
- Inability to manage at home: If you are unsure how to manage the broken nail at home or feel that the injury is beyond the scope of home treatment, don't hesitate to seek professional advice. A doctor can provide guidance on proper wound care and ensure that the nail heals correctly.
Remember, while minor chips and breaks can often be handled at home, it is always better to err on the side of caution. If you have any concerns or are unsure about the severity of the injury, don't hesitate to contact your healthcare provider for personalized advice and treatment recommendations.
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Preventing further damage
To prevent further damage to a broken nail, it is important to first assess the severity of the injury. If there is heavy bleeding or a large portion of the nail has been lost, it is best to seek medical advice from a healthcare professional. In the meantime, remove any jewellery from your hands and arms, and wash the injury with clean, warm water. Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel, being careful not to touch the injured area directly.
If the damage is less severe, such as a chip or a tear, there are several at-home treatments you can try. Trimming your nails regularly and keeping them short can prevent them from snagging and reduce the risk of further breakage. This is especially important if you have sustained an injury that has caused a chip or tear, as it can help to minimise the risk of the broken nail catching on something and causing more damage.
You can also use household items such as tape, glue, or a tea bag to help repair and protect the nail. If the nail is chipped at the tip, trim the rest of the tip down until it is even. For chips below the tip, trim the nail and apply a small piece of tape, glue, or tea bag material to help it grow back evenly. If the nail is chipped on the side, wash the area with warm water, gently pat it dry, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a bandage.
To promote nail health and prevent future injuries, it is important to keep your nails moisturised, especially if you wash your hands frequently. Consider taking oral biotin supplements to encourage strong and healthy nail growth. Additionally, avoid biting or picking at your nails, as this can easily cause damage.
When doing tasks such as cleaning or washing dishes, consider wearing gloves to protect your nails from irritation and to prevent overexposure to dish soap, which can weaken your nails. Choose natural or non-irritating cleaning products that do not contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia, hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite, or lye.
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Avoiding infection
A broken nail can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months to grow back, depending on whether it is a fingernail or toenail. In the meantime, it is important to take care of the affected area to avoid infection. Here are some ways to avoid infection when dealing with a broken nail:
Keep the Area Clean and Dry
Wash the injury with clean, warm water, and gently pat it dry with a clean towel. Avoid soaking the injured area for prolonged periods, and ensure that your hands are dry after washing them. This will help prevent bacteria from entering the broken skin and causing an infection.
Protect the Area
Apply a small piece of tape, gauze, or medical tape over the broken nail to protect it and keep it clean. If you have an artificial nail, it should stay in place until the nail bed heals. You can also use fingernail glue to reattach the broken part of your nail, but be careful not to glue the skin.
Avoid Biting or Picking at the Nails
Do not bite, chew, or pick at your nails, and avoid ripping off hangnails. Nail biting and picking can cause trauma to the nail bed and cuticle area, increasing the risk of infection.
Seek Medical Attention if Needed
If you experience heavy bleeding, a large portion of the nail is lost, or the nail bed is injured, seek immediate medical attention to prevent infection and further injury. Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics or perform minor procedures, such as drainage, to treat the infection.
Wear Protective Gloves
If your job involves working with chemicals or detergents, or if your hands are frequently wet, wear waterproof gloves that do not irritate the skin. This will help protect your hands and nails from potential irritants and reduce the risk of infection.
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Encouraging nail growth
While there is no scientifically proven method for making nails grow faster, there are several ways to encourage nail growth and improve nail health.
Diet
A healthy and balanced diet is key to encouraging nail growth. Nails are made of a hard protein called keratin, so it is important to eat lean sources of protein, such as beans, whole grains, and other foods rich in biotin (a B vitamin). Biotin allows the body to turn food into energy and can help strengthen nails. Folic acid, or vitamin B9, is another nutrient that can help repair and multiply the cells that make up nails.
Grooming Techniques
There are several grooming techniques that can help encourage nail growth. Firstly, it is important to keep nails short and trim them regularly to prevent snagging and dirt buildup. Additionally, washing hands frequently and keeping them dry can help prevent breakage. Avoiding biting or picking at nails and hangnails is also crucial, as it can cause further damage.
Nail Care
Taking care of your nails is essential to encourage nail growth and improve nail health. This includes using fingernail glue or tape to repair broken nails and protect them from further damage. In the case of nail bed injuries, it is important to seek immediate medical attention to prevent infection and further injury. Keeping nails moisturized and strong is also beneficial, as it helps to maintain their health and shape, especially with consistent gel manicures.
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Frequently asked questions
Nails grow at a rate of about 0.004 inches (0.1 millimeters) per day, so it can take up to six months for a nail to completely grow back.
If your nail is broken, you can often manage it at home using glue, tape, or other household items. If there is bleeding or signs of infection, seek medical attention.
You can use nail clippers to trim the broken nail as close to the skin as possible without causing pain. Then, cover the area with tape or a bandage to protect it and prevent further damage.
Soaking your nails in salt water or warm milk and olive oil can help heal damaged nails and prevent infection. Applying a moisturizer directly afterward can also promote healing.
Keep your nails trimmed short and avoid biting or picking at them. Wash your hands frequently and wear gloves when using cleaning products or doing the dishes to protect your nails from irritation and harsh chemicals.
