Isla Bennett
Losing a fingernail is often a result of trauma, such as a hard knock or a crush injury. This can lead to a sharp pain, discoloration, and eventually, the nail may detach completely. If the nail lifts off the nail bed, it can be reattached with glue or stitches, or replaced with a special type of material. In most cases, a new nail will regrow, but it's important to protect the exposed nail bed and keep it clean and moisturized to encourage healthy regrowth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Regrowth timeline | Fingernails grow about 3mm per month and take 2-6 months to regrow fully |
| Nail trauma | Initial sharp pain, discoloration, bruising, blood pooling beneath the nail, or detachment of the nail |
| Treatment | Drain accumulated blood, relieve pressure and pain, bandage or protective cover, keep the exposed nail bed clean and moisturized, monitor for infections |
| Prevention | Wear properly-sized shoes, keep fingernails trimmed, do not bite nails or cuticles |
| Reattachment | Special glue or stitches, or replacement with a special type of material |
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Nail Trauma
Nail injuries can result in blood under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma, which can cause throbbing pain and bluish-black discolouration. In some cases, this may lead to the temporary loss of the nail plate. If there is a large amount of blood under the nail, it could indicate an underlying bone fracture or tissue tear, and medical attention should be sought.
If the nail lifts off the nail bed, it can be reattached with special glue or stitches. Alternatively, it may be replaced with a special type of material. To relieve pain and pressure, a small hole may be created in the nail to drain the blood. If the bone is broken or the bruise is very large, the nail may need to be removed, and the nail bed repaired.
Fingernails typically regrow within two months, while toenails can take up to four months. If the injury involves the base of the nail, some cosmetic changes may be permanent. To promote healing and prevent infection, it is important to keep the area clean and ensure that your tetanus vaccination is up to date.
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Nail Injuries
A nail injury can occur when any part of your nail becomes injured, including the nail, nail bed (skin underneath the nail), cuticle (base of the nail), and the skin around the sides of the nail. Nail injuries can be caused by a blow to the nail, closing your finger or toe in a door or drawer, or by cutting, tearing, smashing, or bruising the nail. Smashing your finger in a door, hitting it with a hammer or another heavy object, or cutting it with a knife or another sharp object can cause a nail injury.
If you have a nail injury, make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date. If the nail is torn or jagged, you should trim it to avoid further injury. If the nail lifts completely off the nail bed, you can replace the nail and hold it in place with a bandage. Nails will not reattach to the nail bed after they have separated, but a new nail will usually regrow within about two months for fingernails and four months for toenails.
If the injury includes the base of the nail, some cosmetic changes may be permanent. If the trauma to the nail injures the nail matrix (the tissue inside the cuticle where new nails are formed), a ridge or split can develop. If the matrix heals normally, this deformity will eventually disappear as the nail regrows.
For more serious nail injuries, you should go to an urgent care center or the emergency room. They will stop the bleeding, clean the wound, and numb the area with medicine before treating it. If the bone is broken or the bruise is very large, the nail may need to be removed, and the nail bed may need to be repaired. Part or all of the nail may be removed. Cuts in the nail bed will be closed with stitches or special glue, and if the nail cannot be reattached, it may be replaced with a special type of material. If you have a broken bone, your provider may need to place a wire in your finger to keep the bone in place.
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Bruised Fingernail
A bruised fingernail, or subungual haematoma, is usually the result of an accident or trauma, such as stubbing your toe or finger, or even more serious incidents like slamming your finger in a door or window. It can be very painful and may take months to look normal again. In some cases, your nail may fall off right away or weeks later.
If you experience a bruised fingernail, it is important to seek medical attention, especially if there is a lot of blood under your nail bed. Large subungual haematomas increase the risk of your fingernail falling off, and a doctor can drain the accumulated blood by drilling a small hole in the nail plate. This procedure is called trephination and can be performed within the first 48 hours to relieve pain and pressure.
If your fingernail falls off, it is important to protect the sensitive skin of the nail bed with a Band-Aid to keep it from drying out and cracking. You can also coat the nail with a layer of nail hardener before applying nail polish to make it look prettier while it heals.
To treat a bruised fingernail at home, you can apply ice wrapped in a hand towel or cloth to the injured finger for up to 20-minute intervals, several times a day. This will help stop the bleeding and prevent a blood blister from forming under the nail. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can also help reduce inflammation and pain. It is important to keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection.
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Regrowth Timeline
If you lose a fingernail due to trauma, infection, or other reasons, it's important to know that it will grow back. The regrowth timeline for fingernails varies, but it usually takes about 4 to 6 months for a new fingernail to replace the lost one. During this time, you can expect the nail bed to heal within 7 to 10 days, and the nail will gradually regrow.
The rate of fingernail regrowth can differ from person to person and can be influenced by various factors. For instance, your overall health plays a role, as nail growth tends to slow down if you're experiencing illness or malnutrition. On the other hand, hormones can also have an impact, and you may notice faster nail growth during pregnancy.
Additionally, the specific finger affected can make a difference. According to a 2007 study, the little finger's fingernail tends to grow slower than the others. Interestingly, Dr. William Bean observed that his left thumbnail grew at a rate of 0.123 mm per day, which is slightly faster than the average rate of 0.1 mm per day for fingernails.
While you wait for your fingernail to regrow, there are some self-care measures you can take. Trimming your nails regularly and refraining from biting them or your cuticles can help maintain their health. If you experience nail trauma, such as blood under the nail (subungual hematoma), a medical professional may create a small hole in the nail to relieve the pressure and treat the injury.
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Preventative Measures
Fingernails and toenails can be injured by a blow to the nail, by closing the finger or toe in a door or drawer, or by nail biting and cuticle biting. Repeated trauma to toenails, caused by ill-fitting shoes, can lead to deformities in the nails.
If you experience a nail injury, make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date. If your nail lifts 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. If blood under the nail occupies more than half of the nail area, see a doctor as it could indicate a fracture or tissue tear.
To prevent nail injuries:
- Keep your nails short and trimmed to prevent them from catching on objects and pulling off the nail bed.
- Avoid biting your nails and biting your cuticles.
- Be careful when cleaning underneath your nails. Tools like cuticle sticks or nail brushes can break the skin underneath your nails and cause an infection.
- Wear properly-sized shoes. Ill-fitting shoes can lead to toenail trauma.
- Wear gloves when doing activities that may damage your nails, like washing dishes, playing sports, or working outside.
- Be careful when putting down heavy objects near your feet.
- Avoid chemicals or products that can irritate your nails or the skin around your nails, such as nail polish, nail gloss, nail hardener, nail polish remover, and fake nails.
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