Noah Sinclair
Losing a fingernail or toenail can be distressing, but fortunately, nails have a good regeneration capacity and will grow back. The rate of growth depends on several factors, including age, climate, and overall health. Nails tend to grow slower in older adults, in colder climates, and when individuals are sick or malnourished. Toenails, in particular, can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to fully regrow, while fingernails typically take 3 to 6 months. Minor matrix damage may cause temporary changes in nail appearance, but with proper medical care, healthy nails will usually grow back.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken for toenails to grow back | 6 months to 2 years |
| Time taken for fingernails to grow back | 4-6 months |
| Toenail growth rate | 1.62 mm per month |
| Fingernail growth rate | 1/10th of an inch per month or 1/10th of a millimeter per day |
| Factors affecting nail growth | Age, climate, season, nutrition, overall health, trauma, injury, blood flow, hormones, medication, skin conditions, diseases, and pregnancy |
| Nail matrix | The "factory" where new nails are made; damage to the nail matrix can affect nail growth |
| Cuticles | Protect the growth of cells and prevent infection |
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What You'll Learn
Toenails take longer to grow back than fingernails
Toenails and fingernails play an important protective role, shielding the soft tissue beneath them and keeping the tips of the toes and fingers safe. However, despite their purpose, nails are susceptible to damage and can be lost due to trauma, fungal infections, or other health conditions. The good news is that nails typically grow back, even after being lost.
The rate of nail regrowth varies, and several factors influence how quickly toenails and fingernails regenerate. One key factor is blood circulation, which tends to be higher in the fingers due to their more frequent use. This increased blood flow contributes to faster fingernail growth. Toenails, on the other hand, generally experience less trauma and lower blood circulation, resulting in slower regrowth.
The time it takes for a toenail to grow back can range from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the severity of the injury or trauma. In comparison, fingernails typically take around 4 to 6 months to regrow. This difference in regrowth rates means that toenails can take up to three times longer to grow back than fingernails.
Age also plays a role in nail growth rates. As people get older, blood circulation slows down, leading to a decrease in nail growth speed. Hormones can also influence nail growth, with pregnancy being a notable example of a time when nail growth may be accelerated. Additionally, the dominant hand's nails tend to grow faster, possibly due to increased usage and a higher risk of trauma.
While there are no scientifically proven methods to accelerate nail growth, certain practices can strengthen nails and prevent breakage. For instance, taking biotin supplements has been shown to improve nail firmness, thickness, and hardness. Maintaining good nail hygiene, including regular trimming and moisturising, can also promote healthy nail growth.
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Fingernails grow faster in the summer
Fingernails usually grow back within four to six months, while toenails can take up to 18 months. Nails tend to grow faster in the summer, and on the dominant hand, which is likely due to increased blood flow and nutrients to the area. Nails on longer fingers also tend to grow faster.
Several factors influence the rate of nail growth, including age, health, hormones, and trauma or injury. For example, nail growth slows with age due to reduced blood circulation. Overall health also impacts nail growth, as nails may grow more slowly if you are sick or malnourished. Hormones can affect nail growth, with nails growing more quickly during pregnancy and puberty and more slowly during lactation. Trauma or injury can also increase the rate of nail growth, as blood flow and nutrients are increased in the affected area to aid repair. However, toenail regrowth tends to be slower after an injury or trauma.
Certain illnesses and medications can also impact nail growth. For example, illnesses such as COVID-19, pneumonia, and peripheral artery disease can interrupt nail growth and cause horizontal ridges known as Beau's lines. Chemotherapy and other medications can also temporarily slow nail growth and cause Beau's lines or white bands called Mees' lines. Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can also affect nail growth and cause nail discolouration, pitting, and crumbling.
While there are no scientifically proven methods to make nails grow faster, maintaining good nail hygiene and overall health can help support nail growth. This includes regularly trimming nails, pushing back or trimming cuticles, and moisturising. Taking biotin supplements and vitamins can also help strengthen nails and prevent them from breaking.
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Toenails are susceptible to fungal infections
Toenails can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to grow back, depending on the reason for their loss. Toenails are susceptible to fungal infections, which can cause the nail to fall off. Fungi thrive in warm, moist, and dark environments, and shoes and socks provide the perfect conditions for their growth. Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, occurs when fungi get between the toenail and the toenail bed, usually through a crack or cut in the toe. It is often caused by the same fungus that causes athlete's foot.
Fungal nail infections are characterised by nail discolouration, brittleness, and thickening. They can be difficult to treat and may require several months of medication. Toenail fungus is typically diagnosed by visually inspecting the nail and evaluating symptoms. To confirm the infection, a healthcare provider may take a small sample from underneath the nail for microscopic analysis. If the initial test is negative, a scraping may be sent for culture to determine the type of fungus.
Fungal nail infections are contagious and can spread through direct contact or by touching an infected surface. They are more likely to occur in individuals who walk barefoot in public areas, such as swimming pools, locker rooms, or gyms. Additionally, wearing nail polish can trap moisture from the nail bed, creating an environment conducive to fungal growth. It is important to maintain good nail hygiene and seek medical advice if nail discolouration or other symptoms are observed, as they may indicate nutritional deficiencies or underlying health conditions.
To prevent fungal nail infections, it is advisable to avoid walking barefoot in public areas and to maintain proper foot hygiene. Keeping toenails trimmed and cuticles pushed back or trimmed can also help. Overall health, including nutritional status and hormone levels, can influence nail growth, with nails tending to grow slower in older adults and during illness or malnutrition.
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Illnesses and injuries can damage the nail matrix
Injuries
Injuries to the nail matrix can result from mechanical injuries or improperly performed nail care procedures. Mechanical injuries can include pinching or crushing your finger or dropping something heavy on your toe. This can cause bruising, ridges, or discoloration, and in severe cases, the nail may fall off. Trauma to the nail matrix can also be caused by nail care procedures such as cuticle picking, improper use of a drill, or cuticle cutting with a cuticle pusher. These activities can exert too much pressure on the nail matrix, leading to nail plate distortion and even matrix damage.
Illnesses
Certain illnesses can also affect the nail matrix. Serious health events like a heart attack, COVID-19, or pneumonia can interrupt nail growth and cause Beau's lines (horizontal ridges in the nails). Additionally, peripheral artery disease (PAD) can reduce blood flow to the legs and feet, affecting nail growth. Skin conditions such as severe eczema can also interfere with nail growth, leading to Beau's lines, pitting, and texture or color changes.
Infections
Fungal infections, such as tinea, can affect the nail matrix. Toenail fungus may appear as thick, yellow, cracked, or cloudy nails. Without treatment, the nail bed can become infected, leading to symptoms such as white, yellow, or green smelly discharge, thickening of the nail plate, and lifting of the nail plate off the nail bed. Fungal infections are contagious and can spread to others through direct contact or by walking barefoot in shared spaces.
Medications
Chemotherapy and other medications can also temporarily affect the nail matrix, causing Beau's lines or slow nail growth. Medications may also lead to Mees' lines (white bands across the nails) and nail color changes. These changes typically resolve once the medication is stopped.
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Nails grow from the matrix, the root of the nail
Fingernails and toenails grow back after being lost, although the rate of regrowth depends on several factors. Toenails, for instance, take longer to grow back than fingernails, with the latter taking 4 to 6 months to regrow and the former taking up to 18 months.
Nails grow from underneath the skin at the matrix, which is the root of the nail. The nail matrix is the "factory" where the body makes new nails. It is the active tissue (or germinal matrix) that generates cells. The cells harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate. The nail matrix is also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onychostroma. It is the part of the nail bed that is beneath the nail and contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels. The matrix produces cells that become the nail plate.
The nail plate is the actual fingernail or toenail, made of translucent keratin, a tough, rigid protein also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. The width and thickness of the nail plate are determined by the size, length, and thickness of the matrix, while the shape of the fingertip bone determines whether the nail plate is flat, arched, or hooked.
The nail matrix creates new cells that become your fingernails or toenails. About 90% of nail growth comes from the germinal matrix, while the remaining 10% comes from the sterile matrix, which is more important in keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. Minor matrix damage can temporarily change the nail's appearance, while severe damage can cause the nail to fall off. Once the nail matrix heals, the nail will usually start to grow again, although it may take several weeks for the new nail to appear. In cases of severe nail matrix damage, some or all of the nail may not grow back.
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Frequently asked questions
Fingernails may grow one-tenth of a millimeter each day, so completely removed fingernails usually grow within 4 to 6 months. Nails on the dominant hand and longer fingers grow faster.
Toenails grow at about half or a third of the rate of fingernails, so they may take up to 18 months to grow back. Toenails are more susceptible to fungal infections, which can take 12 to 18 months to grow out.
Vitamins such as biotin, folic acid/vitamin B9, and vitamin D are believed to be beneficial for nails. These vitamins can be found in foods such as liver, nuts, salmon, avocados, sweet potatoes, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, cereals, dairy products, fatty fish, and eggs.
