A nail may separate from the nail bed detach for many reasons, including:. After a nail separates from the nail bed for whatever reason, it will not reattach. A new nail will have to grow back in its place. Nails grow back slowly. It takes about 6 months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back. Home treatment often helps relieve pain, promote healing, and prevent infection.
Treatment may involve removing the nail, keeping the area dry to prevent infection, and waiting for a new nail to grow. The infection or skin condition that caused the separated nail will also need to be treated. Blahd Jr. Gabica MD - Family Medicine. Author: Healthwise Staff.
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Updated visitor guidelines. Top of the page. Changes in the shape or texture of nails , which may occur for a variety of reasons.
Some nail changes, such as the formation of ridges, are normal with aging. Thick, brittle, or dark nails are more common in older adults who have poor circulation. Ingrown nails , which are often caused by improper trimming, tight shoes, or heredity. Your nails may grow into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and infection. In rare cases, an abscess may develop under a nail subungual abscess.
Separation from the nail bed. Once your nail separates from its nail bed, for whatever reason, it will not reattach. Nails grow back slowly. It takes about 6 months for fingernails and up to 18 months for toenails to grow back attached to the nail bed. Infection and allergic reactions. These are common problems caused by artificial nails. Fungal nail infections , which can vary in appearance depending on the type of fungus infecting the nail or the location of the infection.
It is not unusual for fungal nail infections to follow athlete's foot infections. For more information, see the topic Fungal Nail Infections. Nail problems can also be caused by: An injury to a nail. Hangnails , which may lead to a minor infection next to your nails paronychia , causing the skin around the nails to become swollen and tender. Nail-biting , which can lead to fingertips that are red and sore and cuticles that bleed. Nail-biting also increases the chance of bacterial infections around your nail beds and in your mouth.
Side effects of medicines, such as chemotherapy and antimalarial medicines. Diseases of the skin, such as psoriasis or eczema. Skin growths, such as warts , cysts , or moles. Other diseases such as Addison's disease , peripheral arterial disease , or HIV infection. Check Your Symptoms Do you have a problem with your nails? This means a problem that affects the nails only and not any other part of the limb no other parts of the finger or hand or of the toe or foot.
How old are you? Less than 12 years. Are you male or female? Why do we ask this question? The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have. If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice once as "male" and once as "female". This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you. Did you injure a nail? This could include tearing a nail, separating a nail from the nail bed, or hitting the nail hard enough that blood collects under it. Do you have pain under or around the nail? How bad is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10, if 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine?
Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system , or peripheral arterial disease? Is there an object under the nail that you cannot remove? Are there any symptoms of infection? Do you think you may have a fever?
Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it? Do you have an ingrown nail? Ingrown means that the nail has grown into the skin instead of over it. Have you had nail problems for more than 2 weeks? These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health.
If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner. Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious. Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions. Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect.
You may need care sooner. Pain in adults and older children Severe pain 8 to 10 : The pain is so bad that you can't stand it for more than a few hours, can't sleep, and can't do anything else except focus on the pain. Moderate pain 5 to 7 : The pain is bad enough to disrupt your normal activities and your sleep, but you can tolerate it for hours or days.
Moderate can also mean pain that comes and goes even if it's severe when it's there. Mild pain 1 to 4 : You notice the pain, but it is not bad enough to disrupt your sleep or activities.
Symptoms of infection may include: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or around the area. Red streaks leading from the area. Pus draining from the area. People with nail bed injuries may need a course of antibiotics to prevent infection. Also, the doctor may check on the status of their tetanus injections and request an X-ray to check for any bone fractures. Depending on the severity of the injury, it may take 6—9 months to fully recover. Many nail bed injuries are minor, and a person can treat them at home.
Others require prompt medical attention to ensure that the area heals and the nail grows back smoothly. Depending on the severity of the injury, the nail may still grow back with small ridges or bumps. Injuries affect the rate at which the nails grow, but with proper treatment, the rate eventually returns to normal.
Full recovery may take 6—9 months , depending on the type and severity of the injury. Onycholysis is when the nails detach from the skin underneath.
Conditions that cause it include trauma, psoriasis and fungal infections. Brittle nails are a common problem. They can occur due to environmental factors or underlying conditions. Learn more about their causes and treatments…. A look at a black line on the nail, a common change that can happen due to a range of causes.
Included is detail on the diagnosis and when to see a…. This article explains ways to strengthen the nails. However, there is no lotion that speeds up nail growth. We look at home remedies and dietary tips…. Nail pitting is characterized by small indents or depressions on the nail surface. It is often linked to psoriasis but can indicate a number of…. Nail bed injury: Self-care and seeing a doctor. Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.
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