Isla Bennett
Nails are produced by the nail matrix, which is the area of special cells at the base of the nail that generate new nails. Nails can be damaged in various ways, including injuries, illnesses, and fungal infections, which can affect their growth. In most cases, nails will grow back within 3-6 months, but severe damage to the nail matrix may result in permanent nail loss. If you experience nail trauma, it is important to clean the area, trim any sharp edges, and cover the nail bed with ointment and a bandage. For more serious injuries, a physician or dermatologist should be consulted, especially if there are signs of infection or bone damage. To promote nail health, it is recommended to maintain a well-rounded diet and practice proper nail trimming techniques.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken for a new nail to appear | Several weeks |
| What to do if the nail matrix is damaged | Remove unattached remnants of the nail with a nail clipper, clean the nail bed, and cover the area with petroleum jelly or neomycin ointment and a bandage |
| How to prevent nail damage | Cut nails straight across, don't cut them too short, and wear well-fitting shoes |
| What to do if you have a bruise under your nail | Get a nail trephination procedure within 48 hours of the injury to relieve pain and help your new nail grow in correctly |
| What to do if your nail has stopped growing | See a dermatologist or primary care doctor to identify the cause |
| What to do if your nail is curving downward | See a board-certified dermatologist |
| What to do if your nail has a deep groove or gap | See a dermatologist to identify the cause |
| What to do if your nail is yellow | See a doctor as it could be a sign of something serious |
| What to do if your nail is lifting up | See a dermatologist to examine for infection and get tips to help the new nail grow out normally |
| What to do if you have redness and swelling around a nail | Treat with soaks and antibiotics; if an open sore forms, more extensive treatment is needed |
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What You'll Learn
- Maintain a well-rounded diet and good general health for strong nails
- Prevent nail damage by wearing well-fitting shoes and avoiding cutting nails too short
- See a doctor if you experience nail trauma that affects the nail bed or matrix
- Visit a dermatologist if you notice ridges, discolouration, or other abnormalities
- Keep your nails clean and trim to prevent infections and ingrown nails
Maintain a well-rounded diet and good general health for strong nails
Maintaining a well-rounded diet and good general health is essential for supporting strong and healthy nail growth. Nails that are dry, cracked, or brittle can indicate a lack of nutrients, whereas strong and shiny nails suggest a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle.
To promote nail health, it is important to consume foods rich in specific vitamins and minerals. For instance, vitamin D helps regulate calcium levels, contributing to stronger nails and bones. Eggs are an excellent source of vitamin D, along with biotin and healthy fats. Additionally, salmon and other fatty fish provide healthy fats and omega-3s, which are beneficial for nail strength and brain health. Lean meats like chicken and turkey are also recommended for their collagen content and high protein levels, both crucial for nail health.
For those who follow a plant-based diet, beans, legumes, tofu, and certain vegetables offer comparable protein levels to animal sources. Nuts, seeds, and avocados are also valuable sources of healthy fats, which aid in supplying the body with magnesium—an essential mineral for bone and nail health.
In addition to dietary considerations, staying properly hydrated is vital for overall health and nail growth. Water intake should be adjusted according to body weight, ensuring adequate hydration to support bodily functions and promote healthy nails.
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Prevent nail damage by wearing well-fitting shoes and avoiding cutting nails too short
Nail injuries can be prevented by wearing well-fitting shoes and avoiding cutting nails too short.
Prevent nail damage by wearing well-fitting shoes
Shoes that don't fit properly can cause pain and discomfort, as well as nail and skin issues due to pressure and friction. Toenail injuries from ill-fitting shoes can cause the nail plate to become more curved or misshapen, which can lead to an ingrown toenail. Ingrown toenails are one of the most common and painful toenail problems. Therefore, it is important to wear properly fitted footwear that provides the necessary support to your feet. The toe box of the shoe should be wide and deep enough to accommodate the toes and allow them to splay out naturally. Custom-made foot orthotics or off-the-shelf insoles can also help support your feet and reduce callus build-up.
Prevent nail damage by avoiding cutting nails too short
Cutting your nails too short can lead to several issues. It can leave the nail bed exposed and vulnerable to trauma, causing chronic pain and sensitivity. It can also make it harder for new nails to adhere properly, resulting in irregular nail growth or permanent changes. Nails that are cut too short can also be more susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections, which can cause throbbing pain, swelling, redness, and may even require medical attention. Therefore, it is important to allow your nails to grow to a safe length and avoid chronic over-trimming. When trimming your nails, always leave a small white edge at the tip and avoid cutting deep into the corners. For toenails, trim straight across to help prevent ingrown toenails.
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See a doctor if you experience nail trauma that affects the nail bed or matrix
Nails are produced by the nail matrix cells that reside in the whitish moon-shaped area (lunula) at the base of the nail. The nail matrix is responsible for making new fingernails and toenails. Certain injuries and illnesses can damage your nail matrix and affect how your nails look or grow.
If you experience nail trauma that affects the nail bed or matrix, you should see a doctor if there is any evidence of tears or lacerations to the nail bed or matrix. A physician visit is also necessary if there are signs of infection, swelling, increasing pain, or pus that develops a few days after the injury. A doctor may treat a severe subungual hematoma, which looks like a bruise under the nail, by making a small hole in the nail and draining the pooling blood. This procedure is called nail trephination and should be performed within 48 hours of the injury.
If the nail matrix is damaged, the growing nail may contain defects, and the nail may be permanently deformed. Damage to the nail bed can also produce whitish changes in the nail, which could be due to the nail plate lifting away from the nail bed (onycholysis). In some cases, a minor surgical procedure on the nail bed can improve the nail's appearance. If the trauma has affected adjacent structures and an infection occurs, it will need to be treated with antibiotics and possibly surgical debridement.
It is important to note that not all nail changes indicate damage to the nail matrix. Some problems may only affect the nail bed, nail plate, or nail folds. However, any changes to the appearance or texture of your nails could signal a nail matrix problem. If you notice any nail changes, such as dents, horizontal ridges, pain, splits, spots, streaks of colour, or texture changes, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
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Visit a dermatologist if you notice ridges, discolouration, or other abnormalities
Ridges, discolouration, and other abnormalities in your nails can signal underlying health issues. Therefore, it is important to visit a dermatologist if you notice any of these changes.
For instance, horizontal ridges in your nails, known as Beau's lines, can be caused by a serious health event such as a heart attack, illness, or chemotherapy. Vertical ridges, on the other hand, are often a normal part of ageing, but they can also indicate a nutritional deficiency or an underlying health condition like diabetes or psoriasis. Discolouration of the nails can also be indicative of various health issues. For example, yellow nails could be a sign of lung disease or rheumatoid arthritis, while greenish-black nails can indicate a bacterial nail infection.
Additionally, if your nails start to lift up and you notice white discolouration, this could be a condition called onycholysis, which may require treatment for a possible infection. Similarly, redness and swelling around the nail, known as paronychia, can indicate an early-stage nail infection that can often be treated with soaks and antibiotics.
Curved nails, or clubbing, can be a harmless trait that runs in families, but they can also indicate underlying diseases, especially if accompanied by swollen fingertips and spongy-feeling nails. Washboard nails, or onychotillomania, are characterised by grooves and ridges in the centre of the thumb and may indicate a habit of picking at or pushing back the cuticles. A dermatologist can help you break this habit and allow healthy nails to grow out.
In summary, while some nail abnormalities may be harmless, they can also indicate more serious health issues. Therefore, it is always best to consult a dermatologist if you notice any persistent or concerning changes to your nails.
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Keep your nails clean and trim to prevent infections and ingrown nails
Keeping your nails clean and trim is essential for maintaining nail health and preventing infections and ingrown nails. Nails go through a lot on a daily basis, and dirt and germs can easily accumulate under the nails, leading to various nail issues. Therefore, it is crucial to practice good nail hygiene and incorporate healthy habits into your nail care routine.
Firstly, it is important to keep your nails trimmed and shaped. Nails should be cut regularly to maintain steady and strong nail growth. Toenails should be trimmed straight across to prevent ingrown toenails, while fingernails should be cut with a slight curve at the edges, without cutting them too short. After trimming, filing the nails can help smoothen the edges and prevent snagging. Glass or steel files are recommended as they are less likely to cause snagging compared to disposable files. Sand files are also useful for quick touch-ups and keeping nails neat when on the go.
In addition to trimming and filing, nail cleaning is essential. When washing your hands, pay special attention to the area around and underneath the nails to ensure they are free of dirt and germs. Scrub the underside of your nails with soap and water, or use a nail brush. If you wear nail polish, remember to remove it regularly with an acetone-free remover. This helps prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria, which can contribute to nail infections.
Moreover, it is important to maintain the health of your cuticles. Cuticles should be pushed back regularly, just as it is done during a manicure. Overgrown, dry, or rough cuticles can be trimmed and shaped with special cuticle scissors. However, be careful not to cut too much of the cuticle, as it protects the nail matrix, the area responsible for new nail growth.
Lastly, keeping your hands and nails moisturized is crucial for nail health. Hydrated nails are less likely to become brittle and prone to breakage. Moisturized nails are also important for overall hand health, as it helps prevent issues like hangnails and cuticle damage.
By following these steps and maintaining good nail hygiene, you can effectively prevent infections and ingrown nails while promoting healthy nail growth.
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Frequently asked questions
If your nail has fallen off, don't panic. Nails usually grow back with proper medical care. Clean the nail bed with soap and water, and cover the area with petroleum jelly or neomycin ointment and a bandage. See a doctor if there is any sign of infection, swelling, pain, or pus.
Fingernails grow at a rate of 0.13 inches per month and can take 3-6 months to regrow completely. Toenails grow more slowly, usually at half the rate of fingernails.
Several factors can cause nails to grow slowly or stop growing temporarily, including fever, injury, chemotherapy, stress, and certain medications.
If your new nail is growing in with ridges or deformities, it may be a sign of a nail matrix injury. See a dermatologist, who can provide tips to help your nail grow out normally and advise on any necessary treatments.
To prevent nail damage, it's important to maintain a well-rounded diet and good general health. When trimming your nails, cut toenails straight across and fingernails with a slight curve, avoiding cutting them too short. Wear well-fitting shoes to reduce the risk of nail trauma.
