Noah Sinclair
A nail falling off is a common occurrence, often caused by an injury, fungal infection, psoriasis, chemicals, certain medications, or serious illness. It can be painful, and it's important to take care of the sensitive skin of the nail bed once the nail has fallen off.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Acute trauma, injury, fungal infection, psoriasis, chemicals, certain medications, serious illness |
| Colour | Black, purple |
| Treatment | Cut down, leave to grow out, apply a bandage, take an analgesic |
| Prevention | Protect the nail bed with a Band-Aid |
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What You'll Learn
What to do when your nail falls off
A nail falling off is usually caused by an injury, fungal infection, psoriasis, chemicals, certain medications, or serious illness. If your nail falls off, it is important to leave it alone, as there will be new nail growing underneath. The new nail will push up the old nail, and it will come off when it is ready. In the meantime, you can cut the nail down, but it is important not to pull it off.
To prevent additional injury or infection, it is a good idea to protect the sensitive skin of the nail bed with a band-aid or bandage. You can also apply pressure to the area to slow any bleeding, clean the wound with soap and water, and take an analgesic to help with pain.
If you are experiencing a lack of blood flow to the area, press on a portion of the nail or finger that is not injured. If the area turns white and then turns pink within seconds when you release the pressure, you have good capillary refill, and blood is still flowing. If not, it is a good idea to get it checked out. You should also touch the tip of your finger to make sure you still have feeling in the area. As long as you can feel everything, you probably don’t have any nerve damage.
If you are experiencing unusual colours in your fingertip, such as blue or blanched white, this is a sign that you need to see a doctor.
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How to treat a nail injury
If your nail comes off, it's important to leave it alone. As Dr Lain says, "there is new nail growing underneath. The new nail will push up the old nail, and it will come off when it's ready". You can cut the nail down, but you should let the injury grow out on its own. Once the nail has fallen off, protect the sensitive skin of the nail bed with a plaster.
If you have a nail injury, it's important to check for blood flow. Press on a portion of the nail or finger that is not injured. If the area turns white and then turns pink within seconds when you release the pressure, you've got good capillary refill and blood is still flowing. If not, it's a good idea to get it checked out. You should also touch the tip of your finger to make sure you still have feeling in the area. As long as you can feel everything, you probably don't have any nerve damage.
If your nail is purple or black, this could be a subungual hematoma, or a blood blister under the nail. When the injury first happens, you can take care of any immediate first aid needs. Put pressure on the area to slow the bleeding, clean the wound with soap and water, apply a bandage, and take an analgesic to help with pain if needed.
If all or part of your toenail falls off, following certain safety procedures may help prevent additional injury or infection. Depending on the cause and severity, a doctor may recommend other treatments. A detached toenail is usually caused by an injury, fungal infection, or psoriasis. However, chemicals, certain medications, and serious illness can also make your toenail fall off.
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How to prevent a nail falling off
A nail falling off is usually caused by an injury, fungal infection, psoriasis, chemicals, certain medications, or serious illness. Once a nail falls off, it can't reattach itself and keep growing.
To prevent a nail falling off, you should avoid injury, fungal infection, psoriasis, exposure to chemicals, and serious illness. You should also be careful with any medications you are taking, as some can cause nails to fall off. If you have a nail injury, you can cut the nail down, but you should let the injury grow out on its own.
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What causes a nail to fall off
A nail falling off is usually caused by an injury, fungal infection, or psoriasis. Chemicals, certain medications, and serious illnesses can also cause nails to fall off. If a nail turns black, it may be a subungual hematoma, which is a blood blister under the nail. If the nail is hanging on, it's best to cut it down and let the injury grow out on its own.
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What to do when your nail turns black
A black nail is usually caused by an injury, fungal infection, psoriasis, or exposure to moisture or chemicals. It can also be a sign of an underlying health issue, such as diabetes or melanoma.
If your nail turns black, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider for an assessment. They will examine your nails, discuss your symptoms, and may order diagnostic tests such as X-rays, blood tests, or microscopic examinations of nail samples. Depending on the cause, treatment for a black nail may involve draining the blood, prescribing medication, or recommending rest and different footwear.
In the meantime, you can treat a toe injury using the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Take over-the-counter pain relievers to prevent discomfort and swelling, and use antifungal creams to deal with toenail fungus. If your nail is about to fall off, do not pull it off. You can cut it down, but let the injury grow out on its own. Once the nail falls off, protect the sensitive skin of the nail bed with a Band-Aid.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a sign of a subungual hematoma, which is a blood blister under the nail. It could also be caused by an injury, fungal infection, psoriasis, chemicals, certain medications, or serious illness.
You should not pull it off, but you can cut it down and let the injury grow out on its own. It's also a good idea to protect the sensitive skin of the nail bed with a Band-Aid.
If you notice a lack of blood flow or loss of sensation in the area, or if the skin at the tip of your finger is blue or white, you should see a doctor.
