Sophia Delgado
Fingernail and toenail trauma can be caused by a variety of injuries, including blows to the nail, closing a finger or toe in a door, or repetitive biting and picking. The time it takes for a nail to fall off after trauma depends on the severity of the injury. In some cases, the nail may be able to be reattached or held in place with a bandage. If the nail is completely separated from the nail bed, it will not reattach and will eventually fall off as the new nail grows in, which can take anywhere from four to six months for a fingernail and up to 12 to 18 months for a toenail. During this time, it is important to keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection and promote healing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken for a new fingernail to grow back | 4 to 6 months |
| Time taken for a new toenail to grow back | 12 months or up to 18 months |
| Time taken for the nail bed to heal | 7 to 10 days |
| Time taken for nerve pain from trapped blood to heal | Weeks |
| Time taken for the nail to fall off after trauma | Not specified, but a new nail will grow in and push the old nail off |
| Time taken for a doctor's visit after a nail injury | Within 2 days |
| Time taken to be seen at the hospital's emergency department | Within 6 hours |
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What You'll Learn
- Fingernails take 4-6 months to grow back, toenails take 12-18 months
- Seek medical attention if there is a lot of blood under the nail
- A detached nail may need to be replaced with a bandage
- Home treatment can help relieve pain and prevent infection
- Keep the nail bed dry, clean and covered until the nail has regrown
Fingernails take 4-6 months to grow back, toenails take 12-18 months
After nail trauma, it's important to take good care of your nail bed to prevent infection and promote healing. Keep the area clean and dry, and cover it with a bandage until the nail has grown back.
If you lose a fingernail due to trauma, it will take approximately 4 to 6 months to grow back. During this time, you can expect to see new growth, and the nail will slowly replace the old nail, pushing it out. The new nail may have grooves or ridges and be misshapen, which could be permanent.
Toenails take significantly longer to grow back, typically requiring 12 to 18 months for a full regrowth. Toenail loss or damage can initiate a regrowth process with varying durations. The average growth rate of toenails is 1 to 1.62 millimetres per month, but this can be influenced by several factors, including age, health, diet, and seasonal changes. Younger individuals tend to experience faster nail growth than older adults.
Overall, it's important to be patient during the nail regrowth process and to maintain good nail care practices to ensure the best outcome.
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Seek medical attention if there is a lot of blood under the nail
After trauma, a fingernail or toenail may become injured and bruised, resulting in blood pooling under the nail, a condition called a subungual hematoma. This is a common injury that can be caused by a blow to the nail, such as hitting your finger with a hammer, or by crush injuries, such as closing your finger in a door. The blood under the nail can cause severe throbbing pain and may lead to the nail lifting and separating from the nail bed.
If there is a lot of blood under the nail, it is important to seek medical attention. While small hematomas may not require medical treatment, if the blood occupies more than half of the area under the nail, it is recommended to see a doctor. This is because the pressure from the pooled blood can cause intense pain and may indicate more serious underlying issues, such as a bone fracture or tissue tear.
At the doctor's office, they may perform a simple drainage procedure to relieve the pressure and pain. This involves creating a small hole in the nail to allow the blood to drain out. It is important not to attempt this procedure at home, as it can lead to infection if not done properly. Your doctor may numb the area before performing the procedure to minimize discomfort.
In some cases, if there is significant trauma or damage to the nail bed or surrounding tissues, the nail may need to be removed and the area repaired with stitches. This is typically done when there is a risk of infection or to facilitate proper healing. A new fingernail can regrow in as little as 8 weeks, but it may take up to 6 months for a fully formed nail. Toenails typically take longer to grow back, ranging from 12 to 18 months.
It is important to keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection while the nail is healing. You may also be prescribed antibiotics by your doctor to further prevent infection. Additionally, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers to manage any pain or discomfort during the healing process.
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A detached nail may need to be replaced with a bandage
A fingernail or toenail can be injured by a blow to the nail, by catching it in a door or drawer, or by ill-fitting shoes. This kind of trauma can result in blood under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma, or a torn, detached, or split nail. In the case of a detached nail, there is little that can be done to repair or reattach it. If there is damage to the nail bed or surrounding tissues, a physician should be consulted. If there is no damage, the nail should be removed, and the area kept clean and dry to prevent infection.
If the nail has completely separated from the nail bed, it may be most comfortable to replace the nail and hold it in place with a bandage. Nails will not reattach to the nail bed once they have separated, but a new nail will usually regrow slowly over the course of 4 to 6 months for fingernails and up to 12 to 18 months for toenails. The new nail may have grooves or ridges and be misshapen, and this may be permanent.
To care for a detached nail at home, any remaining sharp edges should be filed down to prevent them from catching and causing further injury. The uncovered nail bed can then be covered with petroleum jelly or neomycin ointment and dressed with a clean, non-stick bandage. The bandage should be kept dry and replaced if it gets wet. It is important to watch for signs of infection such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus. If an artificial nail has been applied, it should be removed if it separates from the nail bed, as it can tear the nail bed.
If there is bleeding under the nail, it may be necessary to see a physician. If blood occupies more than half of the area under the nail, this could indicate an underlying bone fracture or tissue tear. A physician may treat this by creating a small hole in the nail to relieve pressure and drain the blood. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent infection.
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Home treatment can help relieve pain and prevent infection
A fingernail or toenail injury can be caused by a blow to the nail or by accidentally shutting a finger or toe in a door or drawer. This can result in blood under the nail, a condition called subungual hematoma, or a torn or split nail. Repeated trauma to toenails, caused by ill-fitting shoes, can also lead to deformities in the nails.
If the nail is torn, use sterile scissors to cut off rough edges to prevent further injury. File any sharp edges smooth or trim 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. Change the bandage daily and keep the nail bed dry, clean, and covered until the nail has grown back.
If there is blood under the nail, a condition called subungual hematoma, you can relieve pressure by draining the blood. For a small hematoma, heat a needle or the end of a paper clip until it is red-hot. Using gentle pressure, the hot tip can penetrate the nail, creating a small hole through which blood can drain. The nail may remain discoloured after the procedure. If you are uncomfortable doing this at home, a physician can provide the same treatment in their office. If blood occupies more than a quarter to half of the area under your nail, a physician should evaluate the injury.
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Keep the nail bed dry, clean and covered until the nail has regrown
After a nail has been traumatised, it is important to keep the nail bed dry, clean, and covered until the nail has regrown. This is because the nail bed is susceptible to infection, and proper care of the nail bed will promote healing and prevent infection.
If the nail is still partially attached, you can leave it in place, and it will eventually fall off when the new nail grows in. However, if you are worried about the nail catching and tearing, you can trim off the detached nail. If you choose to trim the nail, you should soak your finger or toe in cold water for 20 minutes after trimming to soothe the area.
After soaking, you should apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, to the affected area. Then, cover the area with a nonstick bandage. You should 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.
If you notice signs of infection, such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus, you should visit a healthcare professional right away.
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Frequently asked questions
It can take anywhere from a few days to several months for a nail to fall off after trauma, depending on the severity of the injury. If the nail has been removed, 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, while a toenail can take up to 12 to 18 months.
If your nail falls off, it is important to protect the sensitive skin of the nail bed. You can do this by covering the area with a bandage or adhesive tape. Keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection, and watch for any signs of infection, such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus.
No, nails will not reattach themselves to the nail bed once they have been completely separated. However, your doctor may be able to replace it with a special type of material to hold it in place as the nail bed heals.
Blood trapped under the nail is called a subungual hematoma. If the blood occupies more than a quarter to half of the area under your nail, you should seek medical attention. A physician can relieve the pressure by draining the blood through the nail or creating a small hole with a sterile needle or blade.
