Isla Bennett
Toenails falling off can be an unsettling experience, especially if you're unsure why it's happening. There are a number of reasons why this might occur, from injury or trauma to the toe, to side effects of medication, infection, underlying skin conditions or autoimmune disorders. In this article, we will explore the various causes of toenails falling off and what you can do about it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical term | Onycholysis or onychomadesis |
| Cause | Injury, trauma, medication, infection, underlying skin condition, autoimmune disorder |
| Signs | Darkening of the toenail, discolouration, cracking, brittleness, misshapen, thickening, redness, swelling, tenderness |
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What You'll Learn
Trauma to the toe
If you have suffered a toe injury, it is important to monitor the nail for any changes. If the nail becomes loose, it is best to leave it in place to act as a protective shield for the nail bed. However, if the nail becomes uncomfortable or painful, it may be best to remove it. This can be done by soaking the foot in warm water and gently lifting the nail away from the nail bed.
If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, it is important to seek medical advice. A doctor or podiatrist will be able to assess the severity of the trauma and provide appropriate treatment. They may also be able to advise on any medications or treatments to aid in the recovery process.
It is also worth noting that toenails can fall off due to other reasons, such as infection, underlying skin conditions or autoimmune disorders. Therefore, if you are unsure of the cause, it is always best to seek professional advice.
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Side effects of medication
Toenails can fall off due to side effects of medication. This is known as onycholysis, the medical term for when a toenail separates and lifts away from the nail bed, causing the toenail to partially or completely detach from its nail bed. The nail bed is the skin directly under the nail. Onychomadesis is the medical term for when a toenail separates from the nail bed and nail matrix, the tissue where your nails form at the base of the nail, eventually falling off entirely.
Before a toenail falls off, you might initially notice the nail loosening from the nail bed, often starting at the tip and progressing toward the cuticle. As the nail lifts, it may appear as though the nail is "floating" above the nail bed. The surrounding skin might be red, swollen, and tender, especially if an infection is causing the toenail to fall off. The skin around the nail may also feel sensitive or painful as the toenail separates from the nail bed. One of the first signs that you may lose your toenail is the darkening of the toenail due to blood collecting underneath. The toenail may then become uncomfortable before it finally falls off.
Toenails can also fall off after an injury or trauma to the toe.
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Infection
Toenails can fall off due to a number of reasons, one of which is infection. The medical term for when a toenail separates and lifts away from the nail bed is onycholysis. The nail bed is the skin directly under the nail. As the nail lifts, it may appear as though the nail is "floating" above the nail bed. The skin around the nail may also feel sensitive or painful as the toenail separates from the nail bed. The surrounding skin might be red, swollen, and tender, especially if an infection is causing the toenail to fall off.
Before a toenail falls off, you might initially notice the nail loosening from the nail bed, often starting at the tip and progressing toward the cuticle. The nail may also become discoloured, cracked, brittle, misshapened, or thickened. This discolouration may be due to blood collecting underneath the nail, which can cause the toenail to darken. Eventually, the toenail may separate from the nail bed and become uncomfortable before it finally falls off.
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Underlying skin condition
Toenails falling off can be an unsettling experience, especially if you're unsure why it's happening. The medical term for when a toenail separates and lifts away from the nail bed is onycholysis. This is the skin directly under the nail, causing the toenail to partially or completely detach from its nail bed.
One of the first signs that you may lose your toenail is the darkening of the toenail due to blood collecting underneath. The nail may also become discoloured, cracked, brittle, misshapen, or thickened. The surrounding skin might be red, swollen, and tender, especially if an infection is causing the toenail to fall off. The skin around the nail may also feel sensitive or painful as the toenail separates from the nail bed.
Toenails can fall off due to an underlying skin condition, injury or trauma to the toe, or as a side effect of certain medications. Before a toenail falls off, you might initially notice the nail loosening from the nail bed, often starting at the tip and progressing toward the cuticle. As the nail lifts, it may appear as though the nail is "floating" above the nail bed.
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Autoimmune disorder
Toenails can fall off due to injury or trauma to the toe, as a side effect of medication, or as a result of an infection. In some cases, it can be a sign of an underlying skin condition or autoimmune disorder.
When it comes to toenails, autoimmune disorders can cause inflammation and damage to the nail bed and the surrounding skin. This can lead to onycholysis, which is the medical term for when a toenail separates and lifts away from the nail bed. As the nail lifts, it may appear as though it is \"floating\" above the nail bed. Eventually, the nail may completely detach and fall off.
In addition to onycholysis, people with autoimmune disorders may also experience other nail changes, such as discolouration, cracking, brittleness, misshapen nails, or thickened nails. The skin around the nail may become red, swollen, and tender, and there may be pain or sensitivity as the nail separates from the nail bed.
If you are experiencing toenail changes or loss and suspect that it may be related to an autoimmune disorder, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a sign of an injury or trauma to the toe, a side effect of medication, an infection, an underlying skin condition, or an autoimmune disorder.
Your toenail may become discoloured, cracked, brittle, misshapen, or thickened. The skin around the nail may be red, swollen and tender, and the nail may appear to be ''floating' above the nail bed.
Onycholysis is the term for when a toenail separates and lifts away from the nail bed. Onychomadesis is the term for when a toenail separates from the nail bed and nail matrix, eventually falling off entirely.
One of the first signs is the darkening of the toenail due to blood collecting underneath.
If you are concerned about your toenail falling off, you should seek medical advice.
