Sophia Delgado
A broken nail can be painful and frustrating, but will it grow back? The good news is that yes, nails do grow back, but it takes time and patience. Depending on the severity of the break, you may be able to repair and maintain your nail until it has grown out. Nails are made of protein and fat and can be prone to damage, especially if they are long. Various methods can be used to fix a broken nail, such as using nail glue, tea bags, or dip powder, but preventing infection and further injury is crucial while waiting for the nail to regrow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Regrowth | Nails will grow back, but it takes about 3-6 months for fingernails and up to 18 months for toenails. |
| Treatment | Home treatment can help relieve pain, prevent infection, and promote healing. Treatment may include keeping the nail bed dry, clean, and covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage. Sharp ends should be filed down to prevent catching on clothing or causing further injury. |
| Prevention | Maintaining a well-rounded diet and good general health can help produce strong nails. Nail damage can be prevented by keeping nails shorter, as longer nails are more prone to being levered off the nail bed or jammed/stubbed during activities or in ill-fitting shoes. |
| Repair | Some people use nail glue, tea bags, silk wraps, or dip powder to repair broken nails and allow them to grow out. |
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What You'll Learn
Home treatments for broken nails
A broken nail can be painful, but it will grow back with time. Nails are made of protein and fat and are not live tissue. They grow at a rate of 0.13 inches per month, requiring 3-6 months to fully regrow. Toenails grow more slowly than fingernails and can take up to 18 months to grow back.
Keep the nail bed dry and clean
It is important to keep the nail bed clean and dry to prevent infection. Cover the area with petroleum jelly or neomycin ointment and dress it with a clean adhesive bandage. Change the bandage whenever it gets wet.
File sharp edges
Any remaining sharp edges of the nail should be filed down to prevent them from catching on clothing or causing further injury.
Soak infected nails in saltwater
If your nail is infected, soak it in saltwater to help treat the infection. Mix warm water with 4 teaspoons of salt, and soak your nails for up to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. Apply moisturiser directly to the nails afterward. Alternatively, you can soak your hands in warm milk or olive oil.
Patch broken nails with a tea bag
Cut out a small piece of a paper tea bag and apply a clear base coat to the damaged nail. Place the tea bag on top of the damaged area, press down, and add another coat of clear nail polish.
Take a break from nail polish
Avoid painting your nails for 2 to 3 weeks to allow them to heal and become stronger. Chronic exposure to nail polish can dry out your nails over time. When removing nail polish, use an oil-based remover to prevent dehydration.
Use gloves for wet chores
Water softens your nails, making them more prone to breaking, splitting, or cracking. Wear gloves while doing dishes or other wet chores to keep your nails dry and protected.
Strengthen your nails
Use a nail hardener or a nail strengthener product to help strengthen weak, brittle nails. Keep your nails short and softly shaped to prevent the corners from snapping off.
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How to prevent nail breaks
While broken nails will grow back, it takes about 6 months or longer for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to regrow. In the meantime, there are several things you can do to prevent nail breaks.
Keep nails moisturised
Constant exposure to water can cause nails to become dry and brittle, so it's important to keep nails moisturised. Use a lotion with lanolin or alpha-hydroxy acid to soothe your nail area. You can also apply urea cream or mineral oil to your nails and cuticles before bed, then put on cotton gloves to lock in the moisture.
Wear gloves
Protect your nails from water exposure by wearing gloves when washing dishes or swimming.
Take supplements
Make sure you're getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals, as nail breaks could be a sign of a deficiency. Include a biotin supplement to support nail growth.
Keep nails trimmed
Longer nails are more prone to damage, so keep them trimmed and filed to prevent breakage.
Use nail polish
Nail polish can help prevent nails from breaking by adding an extra layer of protection. Use a strengthening base coat or a clear nail polish to protect your nails.
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Nail injuries and infections
A nail injury occurs when any part of the nail becomes injured, including the nail, nail bed, cuticle, and the skin around the sides of the nail. This can happen when the nail is cut, torn, smashed, bruised, or torn away from the skin. For example, smashing a finger in a door or hitting it with a hammer can cause a nail injury.
If you experience a nail injury, make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date. If you are wearing any jewellery, remove it. If the nail is torn or jagged, trim it to avoid snagging it on things and causing further injury. If the nail has lifted completely off the nail bed, it may be most comfortable to replace the nail and hold it in place with a bandage. Nails will not reattach themselves to the nail bed after they have separated from it, but a new nail will slowly regrow.
For more serious nail injuries, you should go to an urgent care centre or the emergency room. They will stop the bleeding and clean the wound. The nail and finger or toe will usually be numbed with medicine before being treated. If there is a large bruise, your provider will create a small hole in the nail to allow blood and fluid to drain out and relieve 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. Part or all of the nail may be removed. Cuts in the nail bed will be closed with stitches, and the nail will be reattached with a special glue or stitches. If the nail cannot be reattached, your provider may replace it with a special type of material. Your provider may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
Nail infections, or paronychia, usually result from bacteria. Bacteria can enter the skin through cuts in the cuticle and the nail fold (the skin around the nail). Paronychia can also be caused by irritation from water or chemicals, trauma to the nail bed or cuticle area, and some medications. Symptoms of paronychia include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail. The skin may be red and warm to the touch, and pus may build up under the skin. Most nail infections get better with antibiotics. However, in some cases, the infection lasts a long time or comes back after treatment.
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The nail matrix and nail bed
The nail bed, on the other hand, is the soft tissue underneath the nail plate, attaching it to the distal phalanx. It provides a smooth surface for the growing nail plate to slide over. The nail bed is highly innervated, which means it contains many nerves. These nerves, along with blood vessels in the nail bed, supply nourishment to the entire nail unit. The nail bed is also responsible for the pink colour of our nails, as the capillaries in the nail bed reflect light off the hemoglobin in our blood.
Injuries or health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. Damage to the nail matrix can cause temporary or permanent changes to the appearance of the nail. Minor damage will result in minor defects, while more significant damage can lead to a permanently deformed nail. In cases of severe damage to the nail matrix, some or all of the nail may not grow back.
Similarly, nail bed injuries refer to damage to the soft tissue underneath the nail plate, which can result in a very painful problem called a subungual hematoma. This occurs when there is bleeding between the nail and the nail bed. Surgical repair can be carried out to improve the cosmetic appearance of the new nail growing through.
To promote nail health and support the healing process, it is important to maintain a well-rounded diet and good general health. This includes ensuring adequate intake of dietary protein, essential fatty acids, and iron, as deficiencies in these nutrients can impact the appearance and strength of nails.
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Temporary fixes for broken nails
A broken nail will grow back, but it can be a lengthy process. Here are some temporary fixes to help you get by until your nail has regrown:
Nail filing
If your nail has a small split, simply filing it down can make your nails look as good as new. If the split is more extended, you may need to trim your nail and then use a nail file to even out the shape.
Nail glue
If you would like to keep your nail length, nail glue can be used to preserve your nail. You can use a tea bag or nail silk wrap to seamlessly patch the break. Cut a small strip of the tea bag, apply nail glue to the break, and stick the tea bag strip onto the glue. Once the glue is dry, apply a clear coat of nail polish over the entire nail.
Tape
For a quick fix, you can use clear tape to cover the tear in your nail. Cut the tape so it is just big enough to cover the tear, lay it over the tear, and press it down firmly. You can then trim away any excess tape.
Press-on nails
Press-on nails can be used to cover tears and imperfections. If your nail has fallen off completely, you can glue on an artificial nail to hide that one nail is shorter than the others.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, nails will grow back, but it takes time—up to 6 months for a fingernail and 18 months for a toenail.
You can try smoothing any sharp edges with a nail file or trim the nail to prevent it from catching and causing further damage. You could also try using nail glue to repair the break.
Nails can separate from the nail bed due to injury, fungal nail infection, skin conditions, or chemical damage. Longer nails are also more prone to damage.
