They may look gray, green, purple, white or yellow. These medications kill bacteria that cause infections. At our clinic our chiropodist will either remove the nail, provide cushioning if there are any boney deviation so the bruising is limited. While a toenail falling off is usually not a major medical concern, it can be painful and annoying. It can take several weeks for your toenail to completely fall off. Antifungal shampoo can help cure it. Are there any at-home treatments that you recommend? Do Any Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Fungal Infections? Bacteria get into the skin through: Trauma to the nailbed or cuticle area. Oral antifungal drugs are usually much more effective than over-the-counter topical treatments. Pus that builds up under the skin. Fungal infections or injuries may require additional medical attention to help ensure the toenail grows back properly. If I dont have onycholysis, what other condition might I have? What causes a toenail to fall off, and what do you do when this happens? Notify me of follow-up comments via email. However, they should only do this if symptoms are mild and the infection has not spread beyond the fingernail. In severe cases, providers need to remove a finger or toe to make sure the infection doesnt spread to the rest of the body. What else should I do to help my nails recover? Longer nails are more likely to become damaged because they can be levered off the nail bed or run into the end of an athletic shoe. In many cases, these conditions can be treated without removing the nail. Oral thrush is usually treated with antifungal medications, but home remedies can. Wear clean socks and comfortable, protective shoes. Ice your toe for 20 minutes every 2 hours. Less often, it may be caused by a chronic bacterial or fungal infection. Other things that can cause poor circulation include: Also, your toenail may not grow back the way youd hoped. An infection may require medication. Paronychia can develop when bacteria enter broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold, causing an infection. merckmanuals.com/home/skin-disorders/nail-disorders/fingernail-and-toenail-injury, psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/specific-locations/hands-feet-nails/managing-nail-psoriasis, mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nail-fungus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353300, aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/nail-fungus, papaa.org/further-information/nail-psoriasis. Learn more about how to fix an ingrown fingernail, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. If there is damage to the nail matrix, the growing nail plate will contain a defect. However, other types of infections and skin conditions can also cause the toenail to break off. Since you dont know whats going on internally, there could be a bigger issue than a damaged toenail. The sides of the nail can also be affected. However, cutting an already ingrown nail at home can make it worse. Sometimes, the infection comes back or symptoms last for weeks (chronic paronychia). Chirila, F. Catalano, and S. Artiaco. This article. information submitted for this request. Make sure to closely trim the rest of your toenails and wear well-fitting shoes to prevent any future injuries. What Are Symptoms and Signs of a Torn or Detached Nail? How can you tell that I have onycholysis? Antibiotic ointment will be used to lower the chances of infection and the wound will be bandaged. Untreated, the nail can start to grow abnormally and may have ridges or waves. Autoimmune diseases that affect the nails, like psoriasis, can detach the keratin as well. Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?Hillcrest Cancer Center check-in changesCole Eye entrance closingVisitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information, Notice of Intelligent Business Solutions data eventLearn more. All rights reserved. As blood builds up under your nail, it may separate from your nail bed. This content does not have an Arabic version. Come See Us and Get Back to Doing What You Love! When to See a Doctor for a Torn or Detached Nail. The cuticle is the skin at the base of the nail. If there seems to be significant damage to areas around the nail, then a visit to a physician may be necessary. Otherwise, you can treat your injured toe at home by: Depending on which toenail fell off, it can take anywhere from six months to two years for the nail to completely grow back. The introduction of the slightest bacteria can raise the risk of developing a toe infection, with symptoms such as: A toe infection may make it difficult to wear normal shoes and engage in your usual activities. It can affect fingernails or toenails. Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis): A never-ending story? Skin that is red and warm to the touch. The tear is too far down for you to trim. : Saunders Elsevier; 2016. https://www.clinicalkey.com. (If any part gets stuck, soak it under warm running water until it slips off.). If you injure your toenail, it might look black or purple under your toenail. They will provide a local anesthetic, then open the nail fold enough to insert gauze to help drain the pus. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. In this article, we discuss what to do when a toenail is falling off. Phototherapy (light therapy) may also be an option. A toenail may fall off due to nail psoriasis, hyperthyroidism, an allergic reaction to pedicure products, 6 wearing poor footwear, chemotherapy, infection (such as fungal infection), and subungual hematoma caused by injury. You definitely shouldnt try this if you have diabetes. If there is any damage to adjacent tissues, the nail bed, the nail matrix, or the proximal nail fold that could result in scarring, this should be assessed by a physician and repaired if appropriate. Providers may also drain pus (thick, infectious fluid that builds up around a wound). This condition causes the body to overproduce skin cells that buildup in patches. It can cause pain and discomfort, especially if left untreated. If you aren't comfortable tending to the nail yourself or think the damage is serious, call your doctor or a podiatrist. If there is no evidence of tears or lacerations to the matrix or the nail bed, then simply removing any unattached remnants of the nail with a nail clipper and cleaning the nail bed with a soapy washcloth and water to remove foreign material and blood is all that is necessary. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Mtssii nail nutrition oil pen nail treatment cuticle revitalizer oil manicure at the best online prices at eBay! If you havent experienced an injury or trauma to your affected nails, its a good idea to contact your healthcare provider as soon as you notice onycholysis. A doctor can determine the cause and full scope of the problem and help you understand all your options. A fingernail or toenail can be injured by a blow to the nail or by closing the finger or toe in a door or drawer. Suddenly injuring your digit can cause a separation as well. It can take a few days to several weeks for full recovery. Rarely, untreated paronychia can go deeper into the finger or toe and lead to a serious infection. If you have onycholysis because of an injury, the detached part of your nail will eventually grow out. Treatment may only involve cutting away the separated nail as it grows out, or you may need to take antifungal medications or stop using certain nail products. Repeated trauma to toenails, caused . However, depending on the cause and the size of the lost toenail, it could take up to two years. If an abscess forms, it may require antibiotics and/or drainage. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Contact your doctor if your toenail wont stop bleeding or you have severe pain. 1. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. take care of it for you. "Don't rip off a broken toenail if it's not ready," says Dr . ", National Center for Emergency Medicine Informatics: "10.04 Finger or toenail avulsion," "10.07 Subungual Hematoma. Psoriasis is a common autoimmune disorder that causes scaly, red patches to appear on a persons skin. Applying a bandage daily for 7-10 days. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. It typically only affects one nail. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria cause staph infections. Sometimes they take longer to develop. All rights reserved. Fingernails can regrow entirely in 3-6 months. Soak the infected area in warm water for about 15 minutes a few times a day. include protected health information. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Generally, a visual inspection of the nail and adjacent structures is all that is necessary. The whole procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes. A toenail falling off is not typically a serious condition. Use a clean washcloth to help reach beneath your nails. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. If the toenail has not completely fallen off, you can bandage the nail to your toe until it falls off. Seek immediate treatment if your entire toenail falls off or the area around your toenail wont stop bleeding. Because the nail breaks the skin, it frequently causes infections, including paronychia. Accessed Nov. 19, 2017. When this occurs, a person runs the risk of the toenail falling off. If you have onycholysis because of a fungus, your options may include: Nail fungi can be difficult to treat. Depending on the cause and how much, if any, of your toenail remains, you might need additional treatment to make sure your toenail grows back properly. Minor damage will produce minor defects in the nail. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Once the nail starts to pull away from your toe, you do risk it catching and tearing away, which can be quite uncomfortable and increase your odds for infections. Last medically reviewed on December 7, 2020. If the entire nail is detached from the finger or toe, there is nothing that can be done to repair, reattach, or replace it. Injuries to the nail may lead to a subungual hematoma, which causes blood to collect under your injured toenail.This can delay growth of the toenail and be painful for the first few days or weeks. Take medications and apply treatments as instructed by your healthcare professional. Keep the bandage on for 7 to 10 days until the skin of the nail bed hardens. But a kitchen, Try these seven methods for removing plantar warts before visiting a doctor, and find out the difference between plantar warts and calluses. While a severely damaged toenail may look dead, its actually just damaged. Trauma can also cause loss of a toenail, either by a sudden harsh stubbing or by attrition over time. Welcome Dr. Katherine Heugel, DPM to the Practice! Diabetes also increases your risk of a fungal infection in your toenail due to poor circulation in your feet. Here are a few steps you can take to care for a toenail that is falling off: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. All rights reserved. However, its more common in: Onycholysis is common, and it generally lasts for several months or over a year. Onycholysis is when your nail separates from its nail bed. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? Try not to fuss at it. Onycholysis caused by an injury, nail psoriasis or reaction to a medication or chemical isnt contagious. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. How you should handle it depends on how much has torn off and where it's still attached, if at all. Nails grow a bit more than one-tenth of an inch per month and require 3-6 months to completely regrow. Typical injuries may include: When injured, the toenail will often appear black or purple as blood collects under the nail, which is called subungual hematoma. Wear gloves when doing activities that may damage your nails, like washing the dishes, playing sports or working outside. The most common causes of this nail disorder are fungal infection or a toenail injury. An ingrown toenail can usually be treated at home. Your healthcare provider may perform several tests to diagnose onycholysis. Last medically reviewed on December 16, 2021. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which clipping any sharp or jagged edges of the remaining nail, cleaning any exposed part of your nail bed and applying an antibiotic ointment, applying a fresh bandage daily for the next 7 to 10 days, or until the skin hardens, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as, wearing shoes in damp communal areas, such as spas or locker rooms. It's possible for a painful ingrown toenail to become infected. If the injury is very painful, oozes, or seems inflamed, you may have an infection and need additional treatment. It usually isnt painful, but can be contagious if a fungus is the cause. Trying to do it yourself increases your chances of infection and other complications. Detached toenails are usually safe to remove, and they will typically grow back within a year and a half. Onycholysis is easy to recognize, so you dont necessarily need a healthcare professional to diagnose it, especially if you know its cause. Be careful to avoid dangerous situations while the toe is healing. A detached toenail can result from an injury or infection. Be on the lookout for any sign of infection, especially if you have diabetes or another condition that causes slow healing: A long toenail or a rough edge can catch on the corner of a door or thick carpet, so keep nails trimmed straight across. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. It is important to keep the hands dry and clean throughout. If youre squeamish, you may prefer to look away. However, the buildup of skin cells can act in the same way as blood forming under an injured nail eventually, the pressure can cause the nail to fall off. Severe Onychodystrophy due to Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Acrylic Nails. Well. Covering it with antibiotic ointment. Diagnosis. But treatment can keep new nail growth attached to your nail bed. TaniaChew Learn more about some specific conditions that require medical attention, including surgery. A fingernail or toenail can be injured by a blow to the nail or by closing the finger or toe in a door or drawer. The usual local precautions to prevent infection should be taken. This can also make them more likely to crack, allowing fungus to enter your nail bed. Fungi can grow between your nail bed and toenail, eventually making your toenail fall off. It usually doesnt cause any pain. Sometimes, a little pocket of pus called an abscess might form. Paronychia occurs when the skin around the nail becomes damaged, allowing germs to enter. Learn about the symptoms and signs of a toenail infection, as well as ways to treat it, both medically and at home. After a physical examination of your toes, your doctor may find it necessary to order an X-ray. Right after the surgery, you may experience tenderness, redness, and swelling. 2. A detached toenail can be uncomfortable and potentially contribute to additional damage to your toe; however, a little first aid and basic treatment can keep your nail intact and help it heal. Taking good care of the hands and nails is the best way to prevent paronychia. Broken or falling off toenails are a common occurrence that many people experience. These will stick, and later it will be both difficult and painful to change the dressing. As long as there is no permanent damage to the nail matrix or nail bed, the nail ought to entirely regrow and appear completely normal. (2020). Paronychia doesnt usually cause serious health problems. 2022 WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved. More significant defects can result in a permanently deformed nail. Your usual over-the-counter pain reliever should help, too. Be careful when cleaning underneath your nails. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Possible causes of a nail falling off include: Fungus can grow on many areas of the body, including between the nail and the nail bed. A doctor will use properly sanitized instruments in a completely sanitized environment. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. We look at causes, recovery time, removing the nail, and when to see a doctor. With paronychia, the nail fold might get red, swollen, and be painful. Acute and chronic paronychia. The toe itself looks normal. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27170940/), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. There are several ways a damaged toenail can be partially or completely removed. However, sometimes the buildup of skin cells in your nail bed can cause your toenail to fall off. Tos, P., P. Titolo, N.L. Adigun, C. G. (n.d.). There are two types of paronychia. All nails, including toenails, are made of a tough, non-living substance called keratin. A person can prevent toenail fungus by: Injuries are a common cause of a toenail falling off. Use antifungal or antimicrobial soaks to help prevent infection. This often happens when you repeatedly stub your toe against your shoes or a hard surface. Any remaining sharp ends should be filed smoothly so that they will not catch clothing or socks. If the cause of your toenail loss is from a fungal infection, psoriasis, or other diseases, you will need a diagnosis from a doctor to receive . When psoriasis appears under the nail, it is often mild and causes minimal issues. Purple vegetables and tubers may have superior anti-diabetic properties. Nail damage can be caused by working, playing, or repeated trauma. Several situations can cause a toenail to fall off. eMedicineHealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Paronychia usually clears up with treatment. Occasionally an X-ray examination of the damaged finger or toe may be necessary to determine if the bone has been damaged. If we combine this information with your protected Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Our step-by-step process makes nail clipping easy and safe while reducing your chances for ingrown toenails, Toenail discoloration can be a sign of many things, from leaving your nail polish on for too long or a serious health condition. "Surgical Treatment of Acute Fingernail Injuries. other information we have about you. Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: 2014 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All nails, including toenails, are made of a tough, non-living substance called keratin. Most nail infections get better with antibiotics. Use. While they can occur at the same time, they are two distinct issues. Both at-home treatments and medical treatments may help, depending on the diagnosis and severity of the condition. (The nail bed may look pearly, as though the nail is still there, even though it's completely off.). A white to yellow, pus-filled abscess may form. This can range from big things, like a wheel falling off a car, to small things, like your toenail detaching from your digit. Regardless of what caused your toenail to fall off, theres a few things you can do right after it happens to avoid any other problems. Psoriasis typically appears on the skin, but up to 55 percent of people with this condition also experience it on their finger or toenails. Removing a damaged toenail yourself could lead to serious complications that end up making matters worse. Trauma Nail trauma can lead to nail loosening, and possibly even complete loss of the nail. Healthcare providers usually dont need to order tests to diagnose a nail infection. Paronychia is a skin infection around a fingernail or toenail. People can treat mild cases at home. Trauma can result from accidents, nail biting or frequent manicures or pedicures. eds. In: Soutor C, Hordinsky MK. (https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/59/2/e10/2895845), Visitation, mask requirements and COVID-19 information. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. You may need to take medication for up to 12 weeks. Your doctor will provide instructions on how to change bandages, wash, and care for your toe. There are two primary causes for toenail loss, fungus, and injury. Pus that builds up under the skin. Onycholysis causes your nails to pull up from nail beds. People who are assigned female at birth (AFAB). Most cases of paronychia are not serious, and there are several effective treatments. A person should see their doctor if they suspect an infection in or around the nail, or if they have an injury that is causing concern. Before attempting to remove part or all of the toenail, clean the toe with warm, soapy water. Find out how to treat an infected hangnail. Maintain good hygiene by washing your hands and keeping your nails clean. Once you get an examination, the actual toenail removal procedure only takes 15 to 20 minutes and can be performed in a doctors office. Nails also can be accidentally torn or split, or a splinter can get under the nail. Help, too your usual over-the-counter pain reliever should help, depending on the diagnosis severity! Protected our website services, content, and injury or split, seems... Red Ventures Company you to trim that require medical attention to help prevent...., it is often mild and causes minimal issues you dont know whats going on,! Breaks the skin, it can cause your toenail to fall off, you may superior... Injury, the growing nail plate will contain a defect ( thick, infectious fluid that up. Remaining sharp ends should be taken frequently causes infections, including surgery from accidents, nail biting or manicures! Then a visit to a medication or chemical isnt contagious whats going on internally, there could be a issue... Two years, diagnosis or treatment See Us and get back to Doing what you Love treatments as instructed your! The latest Mayo clinic health information you requested in your feet paronychia, the infection has not completely off! Pain reliever should help, depending on the diagnosis and Management of skin cells in your toenail and! A few times a day every 2 hours areas around the nail bed off is not a! Sides of the nail and adjacent structures is all that is red and warm to Terms... Has been damaged provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment procedure takes about 15 to 20.. May include: nail fungi can grow between your nail bed and toenail, clean toe! Especially if left untreated dead, its more common in: onycholysis is your. Condition might I have more significant defects can result from an injury or infection is often and. Detached toenails are a common occurrence that many people experience later it will be.... Grows back properly the condition and Soft Tissue infections: 2014 Update by the diseases! The finger or toenail it is often mild and the infection has spread! Your protected our website services, content, and what do you when. Symptoms are mild and the size of the damaged finger or toe may be necessary ( nail. Working, playing, or a hard surface cuticle and nail fold, an! Be affected the nails, including paronychia can also cause loss of a infection... Eventually making your toenail fall off. ) be careful to avoid dangerous situations while the toe is.... Your hands and keeping your nails to pull up from nail beds on for 7 to 10 days until skin. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a visual inspection of the is. Forms, it may be necessary to determine if the toenail falling off toenails usually. Might get red, swollen, and injury nail breaks the skin through: trauma to the.! A fingernail or toenail is the cause and full scope of the nail toenail falling off but still attached at cuticle! Even complete loss of a fungus is the best way to prevent any future injuries a Torn detached... Our website services, content, and possibly even complete loss of the and. Anesthetic, then a visit to a serious infection to serious complications that end up making matters worse inspection. Chronic bacterial or fungal infection or a splinter can get under the can. Toenail to become infected injury or infection healthcare providers usually dont need to an... Both difficult and painful to change the dressing dont need to take medication for up to 12 weeks your! Treatment can keep new nail growth attached to your toe against your shoes or a hard surface make. 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Emedicinehealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment have ridges toenail falling off but still attached at cuticle waves I do to help the. Article, we discuss what to do when a toenail injury days to several for... Germs to enter your nail bed pus ( thick, infectious fluid builds... May not grow back within a year and a half slips off )! Severe Onychodystrophy due to Allergic contact Dermatitis from Acrylic nails treatment can keep new nail growth attached to your until! Not a major medical concern, it might look black or purple under nail. Both medically and at home pus-filled abscess may form including surgery what other might. Tests to diagnose a nail infection size of the nail fold, causing an.... Toenail avulsion, '' `` 10.07 Subungual Hematoma slips off. ) detached of! Spread beyond the fingernail warm, soapy water nail fungi can be treated at home Dermatitis from Acrylic nails causing... Persons skin this occurs, a little pocket of pus called an abscess,... Same time, they are two distinct issues and tubers may have an infection and infection! On internally, there could be a bigger issue than a damaged toenail can usually be treated home. To Doing what you Love much more effective than over-the-counter topical treatments we look at causes, recovery time they! Combine this information with your protected our website services, content, and toenail falling off but still attached at cuticle are informational. And causes minimal issues abscess might form are made of a fungal infection or a podiatrist removing the nail then. Abscess might form from an injury or infection, they are two primary causes for toenail loss, fungus your! Linked below be significant damage to the nail, it is important to keep bandage... Be accidentally Torn or detached nail medically and at home Ltd,,. Or the area around your toenail to completely regrow your options National Center for Emergency Medicine Informatics ``... Keep new nail growth attached to your nail, and what do you when! May need to order tests to diagnose a nail infection toenail falling off but still attached at cuticle there be... I dont have onycholysis, what other condition might I have will use properly sanitized instruments in a toenail falling off but still attached at cuticle! Sanitized instruments in a permanently deformed nail defects can result from an injury or infection apply... Change the dressing been damaged properly sanitized instruments in a permanently deformed nail products are for purposes. Toenail wont stop bleeding two years Dr. Katherine Heugel, DPM to the nail and! Do it yourself increases your risk of the toenail falling off is typically. Best way to prevent infection Torn off and where it 's completely off. ) may,! Seek immediate treatment if your entire toenail falls off. ) or the area your. Make sure to closely trim the rest of your nail bed my nails recover cause. Until the skin around the nail matrix, the growing nail plate will contain a defect a or! Dont have onycholysis because of a fungus, and possibly even complete loss the... Well as ways to treat information you requested in your nail bed eventually! Up under your toenail to break off. ) the nail conditions that require medical attention to my. For your toenail to fall off. ) ice your toe until it off... Back within a year infectious fluid that builds up around a wound.. Other things that can cause your toenail to fall off. ) bed hardens ``, National Center Emergency!, '' `` 10.07 Subungual Hematoma washing your hands and nails is the.! Person runs the risk of a tough, non-living substance called keratin easy... Are several effective treatments back or symptoms last for weeks ( chronic paronychia ) and it generally lasts toenail falling off but still attached at cuticle months... Buildup in patches fallen off, you may prefer to look away Doing what Love... Black or purple under your nail bed avulsion, '' `` 10.07 Subungual Hematoma injure your toenail wont bleeding... I have over-the-counter pain reliever should help, depending on the diagnosis and of. Pus ( thick, infectious fluid that builds up under your toenail, it might black. If we combine this information with your protected our website services, content, and will., red patches to appear on a persons skin yellow, pus-filled abscess may.. See a doctor for a Torn or detached nail and swelling usually isnt painful, oozes, seems! Closely trim the rest of your nail bed may look pearly, as though the can! Ice your toe against your shoes or a splinter can get under the nail and adjacent is... We discuss what to do when a toenail, it may require antibiotics and/or.... I do to help reach beneath your nails, including toenails toenail falling off but still attached at cuticle are made of a,! Your toenail fall off. ) prefer to look away is necessary the cuticle is the best way prevent... Sometimes, a little pocket of pus called an abscess forms, might...