Noah Sinclair
Fingernail removal can be a risky procedure that should be carried out by a medical professional. Removing a fingernail can prevent infection, decrease ingrown nail pain, and help the nail heal from an injury. Before the procedure, a patient may be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of the surgery and to take certain medicines. The procedure begins with the administration of local anesthesia to numb the surgery area. Then, a flat tool is inserted under the nail to separate it from the skin. If only part of the nail needs to be removed, scissors will be used to cut it. After the nail is removed, antibiotic ointment and a bandage are applied to the finger.
Fingernail Removal Techniques
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical Reasons | To prevent infection, decrease ingrown nail pain, and help the nail heal from an injury |
| Medical Procedure | Local anesthesia is administered, a flat tool is inserted under the nail to separate it from the skin, scissors may be used to cut the nail, and ointment and a bandage are applied |
| Home Remedy | Soak the finger in ice water to numb pain, use tea tree oil to soften the skin and for its antibacterial properties, and wrap the finger in a bandage |
| Risks | The nail may not grow back as desired, leading to a thickened, misshapen, or ingrown nail |
| Recovery | The procedure takes 15-20 minutes, and recovery involves keeping the finger/toe elevated to reduce pain and swelling |
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Surgical nail removal
Before the procedure, the patient should eat something to prevent feeling faint during the operation. The healthcare provider will then clean the affected area with surgical soap or alcohol. An injection of local anaesthesia will be administered to numb the area. In some cases, a nerve block may be placed in the finger or toe to provide pain relief.
Once the area is numb, the healthcare provider will gently lift and remove some or all of the nail plate, depending on the patient's needs. A tool will be inserted under the nail to help with this process. The area will then be cleaned, and antibiotic ointment will be applied to prevent infection. A tourniquet may be used to stop any bleeding. A chemical called phenol may also be applied to prevent the nail from growing back. The wound will then be covered with a dressing.
After the procedure, the patient should keep their foot raised as much as possible in the first 24 hours to reduce the risk of swelling and bleeding. They should also change their bandage once or twice a day and soak the wound in lukewarm water before removing the bandage. The patient should avoid swimming, strenuous exercise, and lifting heavy objects for several weeks after the procedure. It can take up to 18 months for a toenail to fully regrow, and the new nail often looks normal.
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Using pliers
Removing a fingernail with pliers is a simple process, but it may be painful. First, prepare an ice-water bath to numb your finger. Then, sterilise your pliers with isopropyl alcohol.
When you are ready to begin, identify the angle at which the nail has room to move. If the nail is bent, you may need to shake the pliers back and forth to find this angle. Needle-nose pliers are best for thinner nails, but slip-joint or lineman's pliers are more versatile. Once you have a good grip, rip the nail off by pulling hard.
To care for your finger after removal, clean the exposed area with isopropyl alcohol and moisturise with tea tree oil. Then, wrap the area in a bandage. In the following days and weeks, trim any cracked or split parts of the nail. The fingernail should grow back within a month.
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Softening the skin
Soak in warm water
Soaking your hands in warm water is an effective way to soften the skin around your nails. Fill a bowl with warm, soapy water and soak your hands for about 10 minutes. You can also add olive oil or coconut oil to the water for extra moisturisation. After soaking, gently pat your hands dry with a towel.
Moisturise
After soaking, apply a generous amount of cuticle oil, moisturiser, or petroleum jelly to your hands, fingers, cuticles, and the skin around your nails. Spend a good 1-2 minutes massaging the product into your skin to stimulate blood flow. You can also apply cuticle oil or moisturiser to your cuticles before bed and wear cotton gloves overnight to seal in the moisture.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating the skin around your nails can help to remove dead skin and soften the area. Use a dual-tip glass cuticle pusher to gently push back the proximal nail fold and buff away any cuticle stuck to the nail plate in circular motions. For stubborn flakes, use the pointed end of the glass pusher or your nail to gently remove them.
Avoid drying agents
Protect your hands from activities and products that can dry out your skin, such as washing dishes in hot water without gloves, using acetone-based nail polish removers, and exposing your hands to cold, dry air in winter without gloves. Instead, opt for acetone-free nail polish removers and always wear gloves when doing dishes or during winter months.
Cuticle remover
If you have hard, dead skin around your nails that is difficult to soften, you can try using a cuticle remover gel. Apply the gel around the nail bed and let it sit for about 15 seconds before using a cuticle removing tool to gently remove the dead skin.
By following these steps, you can effectively soften the skin around your nails, making it easier to groom and preventing painful hangnails and infections.
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Preventing infection
Fingernail removal can be necessary in the case of severe or returning fungal nail infections. The procedure can be performed in a doctor's office under local anaesthetic. After the nail is removed, it is important to take good care of the wound to prevent infection and aid healing.
For the first 24 to 48 hours, keep the wound covered with a bandage. After this initial period, the bandage can be removed and the wound gently washed with clean water twice a day. If the bandage has stuck to the wound, use warm water to loosen it. Do not scrub or soak the area. You may then cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Reapply petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
It is important to keep the wound dry. Avoid swimming or any activities that may cause the wound to get wet. If you have stitches, do not remove them yourself. Your doctor will advise you on when to return to have them removed.
If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take them exactly as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better, as this may cause the infection to return.
To prevent nail infections, it is important to maintain good hand hygiene and keep your nails clean. Avoid biting or chewing your nails or hangnails, and do not pick at your cuticles. Be careful not to cut your nails too short, and when trimming your cuticles, avoid cutting too close to the nail fold. If your job requires you to work with chemicals or detergents, or if your hands are frequently wet, wear waterproof gloves that do not irritate the skin.
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Anaesthesia
The choice of anaesthetic is important. Generally, lidocaine is used for nail surgery. For example, injecting lidocaine 1% at 10 mg/mL or 2% at 20 mg/mL at the base of the digit. The dose is adapted to the size of the digit and the patient's age. In children, 7 mg/kg is the maximum dose.
The patient must be warned that the injection site is liable to be painful, and it takes a few minutes for anaesthesia to set in. The rules of anaesthesia must be respected for the surgery to be comfortable, and the whole operated zone must be anaesthetised. The patient must be monitored for any complications before, during, and after anaesthesia.
After the procedure, the patient will need to keep their bandage dry for a prescribed amount of time before changing it. They should then soak their finger or toe in lukewarm water for 15 minutes to prevent the bandage from sticking to the wound.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not recommended to remove your fingernail at home as it may lead to serious complications. A doctor will be able to perform the procedure with sanitized instruments in a sterile environment.
The doctor will first separate the nail from the skin. Then, they will insert a tool under the nail to lift and remove the nail plate. The area will be cleaned, and antibiotic ointment will be applied to prevent infection.
Local anaesthesia is typically used to numb the surgery area. However, some patients may opt for general anaesthesia.
Toenails typically take 6 to 18 months to reach a normal length. It is unclear how long it takes for fingernails to grow back, but one source mentions that their fingernail "grew back pretty quickly".
Keep your wound clean and free from bacteria. You can use products like Isopropyl Alcohol to kill bacteria and dry out the skin, followed by tea tree oil to moisturize. Be sure to keep the area bandaged and trim any cracked or split parts of the nail as it grows back.
