Sophia Delgado
Losing a fingernail or toenail is a grisly experience, but fortunately, it's usually not permanent. Nails are produced by the nail matrix, a factory-like structure that ensures nails grow back. Even if the nail matrix is damaged, it's rare for the damage to be permanent, and with proper medical care, healthy nails can grow back. The time it takes for a nail to grow back depends on the cause of the detachment and how much of the nail remains, but it can take anywhere from six months to two years for a nail to completely grow back.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Regrowth | Nails typically grow back within 3-6 months, but it can take up to 18 months or even 2 years depending on the cause and size of the lost nail. |
| Medical attention | If the nail falls off due to an injury or infection, additional medical attention may be required to ensure proper regrowth. |
| Treatment | Trimming any remaining detached parts of the nail, smoothing sharp edges, cleaning the area, and applying antibiotic ointment can help prevent further issues. |
| Prevention | Keeping nails short and smooth, wearing well-fitting shoes and socks, and maintaining good general health can help prevent nail loss. |
| Matrix damage | If the nail matrix is damaged, the new nail may contain defects, and significant damage can result in permanent deformation. |
| Bed damage | Damage to the nail bed can cause whitish changes in the new nail, and minor surgical procedures may improve its appearance. |
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What You'll Learn
Nails usually grow back within 3-18 months
It's completely normal for people to worry about their nails falling off. Luckily, nails usually grow back within 3 to 18 months, depending on the cause and the size of the lost nail.
If your nail falls off, it's important to determine the cause to ensure it grows back properly. For example, if you have a fungal infection, you may need to apply topical creams or take oral antifungal medications. In extreme cases, surgery may be required to remove the affected nail and stop the infection from spreading. If you have psoriasis, you can start treating it by soaking the nail in warm water, and a doctor will likely prescribe medicated creams to help.
If your nail falls off due to injury, you may experience a subungual hematoma, which causes blood to collect under the injured nail, turning it black or purple. To relieve the pain, a doctor may use a needle to make a small hole in your toenail and drain the blood. In the meantime, you can take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen to help manage the pain.
While you wait for your nail to grow back, it's important to care for the affected area. If only part of your nail has fallen off, do not try to remove the rest of it. Instead, use nail clippers to carefully trim off any parts that are still attached to your toe, and file away any sharp or jagged edges. Keep the area clean and apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
In most cases, with proper medical care, your nail will grow back within a few months to two years. However, if there is permanent damage to the nail matrix or nail bed, the nail may not grow back, or it may grow back deformed. Therefore, it is important to protect your injured finger or toe during physical activity and seek medical attention if you have any concerns.
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Fingernails grow faster than toenails
Another theory is that the rate of nail growth corresponds to the amount of blood flowing through the digit. Because the hands are closer to the heart than the feet, more blood flows through the fingers than the toes, resulting in longer fingernails. Nails also tend to grow slower in cold weather, when blood flow is restricted.
The nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster, as do the nails on the longer fingers. Fingernails also grow faster during the day and in the summer. Nail growth is said to peak during puberty and decline as hormone levels balance out with age.
If a fingernail falls off, it may take up to six months to grow back. Toenails typically take longer to grow back, anywhere from six months to two years. Proper medical care can help to ensure that a lost nail grows back normally.
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Permanent damage to the nail matrix may prevent regrowth
Nails are produced by the nail matrix cells that reside in the moon-shaped whitish area (lunula) at the base of the nail. The nail matrix is the "factory" where your body manufactures new fingernails and toenails. It is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged, but certain injuries and illnesses can affect it and hinder nail regrowth.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD), for instance, causes less blood flow to your legs and feet, which can affect the nail matrix. Severe eczema can also interfere with nail growth by affecting the nail matrix. Nail matrix melanoma, also known as subungual melanoma, is a type of skin cancer that affects the nail matrix and can cause brown or black discoloration on your nail.
Injuries to the finger or toe can also damage the nail matrix. Pinching or crushing your finger or dropping something heavy on your toe can injure your nail matrix. After such an injury, you may observe bruising, ridges, or discolouration, and your nail may eventually fall off.
If there is permanent damage to the nail matrix or nail bed, the nail may not regrow, or it may grow back deformed. Minor damage to the nail matrix will result in minor defects in the nail, while more significant damage can lead to a permanently deformed nail.
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Treatments include surgery, medication, and home remedies
In most cases, nails grow back normally after falling off, with proper medical care. However, in rare cases, the nail matrix can be permanently damaged, preventing the nail from growing back.
Treatments
Surgery
Nail surgery is a minor operation to remove part or the whole toenail. It is typically performed to address painful or ingrown toenails. The procedure involves removing a small piece of the nail from the affected side and treating it to prevent regrowth. The rest of the toenail should grow back normally. In some cases, a bilateral partial nail removal may be performed, where both sides of the toenail are removed to prevent regrowth. Total nail removal involves removing the entire nail, resulting in the loss of the toenail.
Medication
Oral antifungal medications may be prescribed to treat fungal nail infections. These can include liquid medicines, pills, or tablets such as terbinafine (Lamisil®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), and fluconazole (Diflucan®). Topical antifungal medications are also available in the form of creams, ointments, or gels that are applied directly to the nails. It is important to complete the full course of antifungal medication to effectively treat nail fungi.
Home Remedies
General measures that individuals can perform at home to support nail health include keeping nails short and trimmed, avoiding activities that may cause nail injuries, and minimising exposure to potential irritants, such as nail products. It is also important to identify and address the underlying cause of nail separation, which may include fungal infections, psoriasis, eczema, or other skin conditions.
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Proper nail care can prevent future nail loss
Losing a nail can be painful and distressing, but proper nail care can prevent future nail loss. Nails reflect our overall health, so it is important to keep them healthy.
Firstly, keep your nails clean and dry. Bacteria and fungi thrive in a moist environment, so maintaining clean, dry nails prevents bacteria from growing underneath. Wash your hands and feet regularly, and be sure to dry them thoroughly. You can also wear gloves when washing dishes or cleaning to protect your nails from water and chemicals in cleaning products. Too much water exposure can weaken your nails, causing them to split, peel, or break.
Secondly, keep your nails trimmed and smooth. Toenails should be kept short to minimize the risk of trauma and injury. Thick toenails can be difficult to cut, so try soaking your feet in warm salt water first. For fingernails, avoid filing too much, as this can weaken them. Smooth any jagged or sharp edges with a nail file if part of your nail has fallen off.
Thirdly, protect your nails from injury and infection. Wear well-fitting shoes and alternate which pair you wear each day. Wear flip-flops in public showers and at the pool to reduce the risk of fungal infections. Avoid removing extra skin under your nails with sharp objects, as this can cause your toenail to detach.
Finally, see a dermatologist if you have any concerns about your nail health. They can prescribe prescription-strength nail treatments and help identify any underlying conditions that may be causing nail problems.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, your nail will grow back. Toenails typically grow back within a year and a half, but it could take up to two years. Fingernails grow at a rate of 0.13 inches per month and can regrow entirely in 3-6 months.
If your nail falls off, you should wait for the new nail to grow back. If only part of your nail has fallen off, do not remove the rest of it. Instead, use nail clippers to carefully trim off any parts that are still attached to your toe or finger. You should also file any jagged or sharp edges and keep the area clean.
Nails can fall off due to injury, infection, or illness. For example, a heavy object falling on your toe or finger can cause the nail to fall off. In addition, fungal infections or conditions such as psoriasis can cause nails to fall off.
To prevent your nail from falling off, keep your nails and the skin underneath clean and dry. Keep your nails trimmed and smooth to prevent injury. Also, wear well-fitting shoes and socks to avoid repeated trauma to the nails.
