Isla Bennett
Healthy fingernails are a sign of good overall health. However, they can be prone to damage, which can be painful and unsightly. Nails are made of a protein called keratin, which can be strengthened by certain vitamins and minerals. There are several ways to heal fingernails, including home remedies such as tea bag and super glue, and medical treatments for more serious injuries.
How to heal finger nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ice application | Apply ice wrapped in a cloth for 20 minutes every 2 hours on the first day, then 3 to 4 times a day after that |
| Hand placement | Keep your hand above the level of your heart to reduce throbbing |
| Pain relievers | Take prescription pain relievers, ibuprofen, or naproxen to reduce pain and swelling. Use acetaminophen for pain relief, but be aware that it won't help with swelling |
| Antibiotics | Consult a doctor to prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection |
| Artificial nails | Keep artificial nails in place until the nail bed heals. Change the dressing daily and apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment as directed by a medical professional |
| Splint or special shoe | Use a splint or special shoe to protect the nail and finger/toe during healing |
| Nail growth | It takes about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal, and a new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow. Toenails can take up to 12 months |
| Broken bones | If there is a broken bone in the finger or toe, it will take about 4 weeks to heal |
| Tea bag repair | Cut a small piece of a tea bag to cover the area around the break. Use nail glue to adhere the tea bag to the broken nail, connecting the pieces |
| Baking powder repair | Use brush-on nail glue and baking powder from your kitchen to repair broken nails. Wipe the nail with alcohol between layers to avoid clumping and to achieve a smooth finish |
| Warm oil soaks | Soak nails in cuticle oil for 30-60 minutes once a week to nourish the nails. Use nitrile gloves and a heating pad or hot water bottle to enhance the effect |
| Polish application | Avoid gel polish to prevent damage and peeling. Use regular polish, leaving a 1-2 day break between removal and reapplication |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Use ice and painkillers to reduce throbbing and swelling
If you're experiencing throbbing and swelling after a nail injury, it's important to take immediate action to reduce discomfort and prevent further complications. Here are some detailed instructions on using ice and painkillers for relief:
Ice Application:
- Wrap ice cubes or an ice pack in a clean cloth to avoid direct contact with the skin.
- Apply the ice-filled cloth to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time.
- Repeat this process every 2 hours on the first day of the injury.
- From the second day onwards, continue applying ice 3 to 4 times a day.
- Ensure you keep your hand or foot elevated above the level of your heart to further reduce throbbing.
Painkillers:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or naproxen can effectively reduce pain and swelling.
- Acetaminophen is another option for pain management, but it will not address the swelling.
- Always follow the directions on the medication package or consult your healthcare provider for guidance on dosage and frequency.
- If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, or a history of stomach ulcers or internal bleeding, discuss the use of these medications with your healthcare provider before taking them.
By combining ice application and appropriate painkiller use, you can effectively manage throbbing and swelling associated with nail injuries. Remember to monitor your symptoms and seek medical advice if the pain persists or if you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, or pus.
Nail Biting: Stunting Finger Growth and Other Health Risks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$19.98 $26.59
Reattach broken nails with nail glue and a tea bag
If you have a broken nail, you can use a tea bag and nail glue to fix it. Here's how:
First, remove any nail polish, cuticle oil, or hand lotion from your broken nail. Then, cut the top off the tea bag, empty out the leaves, and cut out a rectangle that's slightly larger than the length and width of your fingernail. You only need to cover the nail about halfway down from the tip, so the tea bag piece should be big enough to cover the surrounding area of the break without being larger than the actual nail.
Next, apply a base coat to your nail and wait for it to dry to a tacky finish. Then, place the tea bag rectangle over the top, ensuring that the break is fully covered, and smooth it down with your fingers or an orange stick to remove any bubbles. Once the tea bag is smooth and adhered to the base coat, apply another layer of base coat and watch the tea bag turn translucent.
When the second layer of the base coat is dry, use a nail file to remove any excess tea bag hanging over your nail. File in one direction only, and be careful not to file into the tea bag. Then, use the finest side of your nail file to file the face of your nail, smoothing and blending the tea bag into the nail. Finish by buffing your nail to ensure that everything is totally smooth, then apply another layer of base coat.
You can also use nail glue to adhere the tea bag to your nail. Apply a drop of nail glue to an orange wood stick and dab it over the break, then place the tea bag piece over the break and let it dry. Once dry, use a buffer or nail file to lightly smooth out the surface of your nail.
With this method, you can even reattach a nail that has broken off completely. The tea bag will keep the nail in place until it grows out, and you can add more glue and file it down again if needed.
The Secrets Your Fingernails Hold About Your Health
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Soak nails in cuticle oil to prevent peeling and breaking
Cuticles play an important role in nail health. They are the thin layer of skin found at the base of the nail bed. When cuticles become dehydrated, nails can become dry and brittle, leading to long-term damage and causing nail polish to peel off.
Cuticle oil is a moisturising product that helps restore nail health. It is typically made from vegetable oils and may contain vitamins and citric acid. Applying a few drops of cuticle oil can increase circulation around the nails, stimulating nail growth and creating a healthy environment for nails to grow. It also helps protect the nails and cuticles from trauma and improves their overall health and appearance.
To prevent nail peeling and breaking, it is recommended to soak nails in cuticle oil. This can be done by applying a few drops of oil to a cotton ball or brush and then dabbing or brushing it onto the nails and cuticles. It is also possible to soak nails in cuticle oil by putting on nitrile gloves with a few drops of oil in each finger and resting your hands under a heating pad or hot water bottle. This method helps the nails absorb more of the oil.
For best results, it is suggested to use cuticle oil daily or right before bed so that it soaks in while you sleep.
Understanding Fingernail Pits: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Use a small amount of antibiotic ointment to aid healing
If you have a nail injury, it's important to take the necessary steps to aid healing and prevent infection. One way to do this is by using a small amount of antibiotic ointment. Antibiotics are often used to treat paronychia, a common nail infection caused by bacteria entering broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold. This infection can usually be treated with a prescribed oral antibiotic or an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.
If you have an artificial nail, it's best to keep it in place until the nail bed heals. Your healthcare provider may recommend changing the dressing daily and applying a small amount of antibiotic ointment to prevent the dressing from sticking. This can help protect your nail and finger as they heal.
In the case of a mild nail infection, or while waiting to see a doctor, you can soak the affected area in an antiseptic solution of warm water and chlorhexadine or povidone-iodine. This can be done 3 to 4 times daily for 20 minutes each time. After soaking, apply a small amount of over-the-counter antibiotic ointment and bandage the area.
It's important to follow your healthcare provider's instructions and complete the entire course of antibiotics to ensure the infection doesn't return. In some cases, your provider may need to drain pus or sample the fluid to determine the specific bacteria causing the infection. With proper care and treatment, most nail infections can be resolved, and your nails can heal effectively.
Heal Your Cracked Nails: Tips and Tricks
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Protect injured nails with a splint or special shoe
If you have injured your nail, it is important to protect it while it heals. This is especially true if you have injured the nail bed, as this can take around 7 to 10 days to heal, and a new fingernail will take 4 to 6 months to grow and replace the damaged nail. Toenails take even longer, at around 12 months to regrow.
If you have broken the bone in your finger or toe, your doctor may place a wire in your finger to keep the bone in place. This is known as Kirschner wire fixation and will be required for fractures of the middle and proximal part of the distal phalanx, as well as with displaced fractures. In less severe cases, a splint may be used to stabilise the injury and help the healing process. This is a common feature in managing fingertip injuries. The splint will help to protect the nail and finger/toe as they heal.
In some cases, a special shoe may be provided to protect the nail and toe. This is particularly important as choosing the right shoes can help to prevent nail injuries. It is recommended to wear shoes that fit well and have a wide toe box to prevent rubbing.
If you have injured your nail, it is important to seek medical attention if you cannot bend your finger or toe, if there is a lot of blood, if your nail is black or purple, or if the pain is particularly severe.
Fungal Infections: Understanding the Cause of Finger Nail Fungus
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
If your nail is broken, you can use nail glue to adhere a small piece of a tea bag to the broken area. The tea bag will connect the pieces of the nail, closing the break.
You can prevent your nails from breaking by doing warm oil soaks between polish applications. Soak your nails in cuticle oil for 30-60 minutes once a week.
If your nail bed is exposed due to a lost nail, it will take about 7-10 days for it to heal. In the meantime, you should apply ice wrapped in a cloth for 20 minutes every 2 hours on the first day, then 3-4 times a day after that. You can also take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and swelling.
A new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow and replace the lost nail. The new nail will likely have grooves or ridges and be somewhat misshapen, which may be permanent.
If you have an artificial nail, it should stay in place until your nail bed heals. Change the dressing daily and apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment to keep the dressing from sticking if recommended by your provider.
