Liam Carter
Breaking a fingernail can be painful and often ruins a manicure, but there are several ways to fix it. The first step is to smooth any sharp edges with a nail file. Depending on the severity of the break, you may need to trim the nail. You can then use nail glue to reattach the broken piece, or use a small strip of a tea bag or nail silk wrap to seamlessly patch the break. If you don't have any of these items, a quick fix is to wrap clear tape around the broken nail. However, if you lose a large portion of your nail or experience heavy bleeding, it is important to speak to a healthcare professional.
What to do if you broke your fingernail?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wash the injured area | Use clean, warm water and gently pat dry |
| Apply ointment | Antibiotic ointment |
| Cover the nail | Use tape, an adhesive bandage, or gauze and medical tape |
| Use nail glue | Reattach the broken part of the nail |
| Use a tea bag | Cut the tea bag to match the shape of your nail, then gently file and paint over it |
| Soak the injured area | Soak the finger or toe in cold water for 20 minutes |
| Apply petroleum jelly | Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, over the broken nail |
| Bandage the nail | Cover the area with a non-stick or non-adhesive bandage |
| Treat the nail bed | A doctor may need to drain blood from under the nail, stitch or glue the nail, or remove the nail to treat the nail bed |
| Prevent future breaks | Keep nails short, avoid using your nails as tools, and moisturize nails after trimming |
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What You'll Learn
Clean the wound and stop the bleeding
If your broken fingernail has led to a wound, it is important to clean it and stop any bleeding. First, if any part of your nail is hanging off, gently trim away the part that is not connected to your skin. Then, clean the wound with soap and warm water. If the wound is bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean cloth. Once the bleeding has stopped, do not put a dry bandage or gauze on the wound as it will stick. Instead, apply petroleum jelly to the wound to keep it moist, and then cover it with gauze or a bandage.
If there is a large bruise under your nail, you may have a subungual hematoma. In this case, your doctor will need to create a small hole in the nail to allow blood and fluid to drain out, relieving the pressure and pain. If the bone is broken or the bruise is very large, the nail may need to be removed, and the nail bed repaired. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection.
If you have an artificial nail, it should remain in place until the nail bed has healed. Change the dressing every day, and apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment to keep the dressing from sticking. You may also be given a splint or special shoe to protect your nail and toe or finger as they heal.
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Treat the injury with ice and elevate the finger
If you've broken your fingernail, the first step is to assess the severity of the injury. If you've lost a large portion of your nail or experience heavy bleeding, it is best to seek the advice of a healthcare professional. If the injury is less severe, you can treat the pain and swelling with ice and elevation.
To treat a broken fingernail with ice, wrap an ice pack in a clean cloth or towel and apply it to the injured finger for 15 minutes at a time, a couple of times an hour. Do not apply ice directly to the skin, as this can cause cold injury. This will help to reduce pain and swelling. You can also soak your finger in cold water for 20 minutes, although this may not be as effective as an ice pack in reducing swelling.
Elevating the injured finger above the level of the heart will also help to slow the blood flow and reduce throbbing pain. It is important to keep the injured finger elevated, as letting it dangle will increase pain and swelling.
If there is blood beneath the fingernail, do not drain it yourself unless advised to do so by a healthcare professional. They may recommend burning a small hole in the nail with a heated wire to relieve the pressure and pain.
It is important to keep the injured area clean and dry to prevent infection. You can also apply an antibiotic ointment to the affected area and cover it with a bandage or gauze and medical tape.
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Apply glue, tape, or a tea bag to the nail
If you've broken a fingernail, there are a few ways to fix it using household items such as glue, tape, or a tea bag. Here are some detailed instructions for each method:
Using Glue:
- Clean your hands and nails with an oil-free cleanser to remove any dirt or nail polish.
- Apply a small amount of super glue or nail glue to the affected area.
- Spread the glue evenly across the broken nail, ensuring it is completely covered.
- Allow the glue to dry thoroughly before proceeding.
- Once dry, use a buffing stone or nail buffer to smooth out the glued area, blending it with the rest of the nail.
- Apply a clear coat of nail polish over the glued area to help blend it further and provide a more natural appearance.
Applying Tape:
- Cut a small piece of clear tape, ensuring it is slightly larger than the broken area of the nail.
- Place the tape over the tear, pressing it down firmly to ensure it adheres well.
- Trim any excess tape extending beyond the nail for a neater appearance.
- Keep in mind that nail polish won't adhere to the tape, so this method is best for a temporary fix.
Tea Bag Application:
- Cut open a tea bag and remove the contents.
- Cut out a small strip of the tea bag material, slightly larger than the broken area of the nail.
- Apply a small amount of super glue or nail glue to the affected area of the nail.
- Place the tea bag strip onto the glue, using tweezers for precision.
- Press the tea bag strip down gently to ensure it adheres well and there are no air bubbles.
- Apply additional glue if needed to saturate the tea bag strip and create a stronger bond.
- Allow the glue to dry completely before proceeding.
- Once dry, use a buffing stone or nail buffer to gently smooth out the area, being careful not to tear the tea bag material.
- Finish by applying clear nail polish or coloured polish to match your other nails.
These methods can provide temporary solutions to mend a broken fingernail until it grows out or can be professionally treated.
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Trim the nail and file it into a rounded shape
Trimming the nail is an important step in treating a broken fingernail. It is recommended to gently trim the part of the nail that is not connected to the skin of your fingertip. This will prevent the broken nail from catching on something and causing further pain or damage. It is important to only trim the nail if you are comfortable doing so, as an uneven trim can lead to more issues. If you are not confident, consider covering the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage until it has grown out enough to protect the finger.
After trimming, it is essential to file the nail into a rounded shape. Filing the nail will smooth out any bumps or ridges and prevent further snagging or breakage. It is important to file in the same direction and avoid a back-and-forth motion, as this can weaken the nail. The rounded shape at the tip of the nail will help to keep it from breaking or splitting.
If you wish to maintain your nail length, you can use nail glue to reattach the broken piece. Apply a small amount of glue to the broken area and gently press the piece into place with a nail file. Hold it for about 10 seconds and then remove any excess glue with a cotton swab. Once the glue has dried, you can lightly buff the surface of your nail to smooth it out.
Another method to restore the nail's length is to use the tea bag technique. Cut a small piece of a tea bag, which will serve as a base for the broken part of the nail. Attach it to the nail using tweezers and then gently file and paint over it to match your other nails. This method provides coverage and protection for the broken nail.
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Cover the nail with a bandage or gauze
If you've broken a fingernail, it's important to take the necessary steps to minimise pain and discomfort and prevent further injury. While you can often manage a broken nail at home using glue, tape, gauze, and other household items, it's important to seek medical attention if you experience heavy bleeding or lose a large portion of your nail.
If you've broken a fingernail, one of the first things you should do is cover the nail with a bandage or gauze. This will help protect the nail from further injury and may also help to ease pain and slow down any bleeding. Choose a small piece of gauze or bandage that is large enough to cover the entire affected area. You can use a clean cloth or gauze to wrap around the finger and apply firm pressure, which will help to stop any bleeding. If your fingernail is only chipped on the side, you can simply apply an antibiotic ointment and cover it with a bandage or gauze and medical tape.
It is important to keep the injured area clean and dry to prevent infection while the nail grows back. You can soak the affected finger in cold water for 20 minutes, then apply petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, before covering it with a non-adhesive bandage. You should also elevate your finger above the level of your heart to help reduce throbbing pain and slow down bleeding.
While covering the nail with a bandage or gauze is an important first step, there are also other measures you can take to repair a broken nail. For example, you can use nail glue to reattach the broken piece of nail, or you can try the tea bag method, where you cut a small piece of a tea bag to match the shape of your nail and glue it over the broken area.
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Frequently asked questions
If you broke your fingernail, you can often manage it at home using glue, tape, and other household items. You can use fingernail glue to reattach the broken part of your nail. If you don't have nail glue, you can use super glue. If you lose a large portion of your nail or experience heavy bleeding, talk to a healthcare professional.
If you want to treat a broken nail at home, you can use a tea bag, nail silk wrap, or tape to cover the broken area of your nail. First, cut out a small piece of the tea bag or nail silk wrap to cover the broken area. Then, apply a thin layer of glue to the broken area, lay the tea bag or nail silk wrap on top, and apply another layer of glue. Once dry, buff your nail and cover with nail polish.
It takes about 4 to 6 months for a new fingernail to grow back and replace the lost nail. The new nail will likely have grooves or ridges and be misshapen, which may be permanent.
