With a condition known as onycholysis, the fingernails become loose and can separate from the nail bed. Antimicrobial soaks may include lemon juice, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and tea tree, orange or lemongrass essential oils. Use gentle soaps that are not irritating to your skin. Our expert physicians and surgeons provide a full range of dermatologic, reconstructive and aesthetic treatments options at Cleveland Clinic. The damaged skin should be covered with an appropriate dressing. This is most often associated with a minimal amount of bleeding and a moderate amount of pain. Your doctor can determine if you may benefit from other treatments or partial removal of the nail. Paronychia usually clears up with treatment. Your provider places a bandage over the cut. Vlahovic TC. Elevating the affected toe above heart level for about 48 hours after the procedure will help decrease pain and swelling. If a fungus caused my onycholysis, how do I prevent it from spreading to other parts of my body? The toenail usually grows back within 18 months. Bershow A. Doctors may also refer to paronychia as candidal paronychias. The separated part of the nail becomes opaque with a white, yellow or green tinge. If the nail has cracked off from side to side -- without leaving a rough edge -- you can skip the trimming. Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: 2014 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. It can take a few days to several weeks for full recovery. Keeping your nails short will prevent them from catching on objects and pulling further off of your nail beds. Thyroid disease and psoriasis a condition characterized by scaly patches on the skin also can cause nail separation. If the nail bed and nail matrix are not damaged, the nail should regrow normally. Some symptoms of paronychia resemble those of different skin infections. But while damaged toenails sometimes fall off on their own, its not a good idea to force that process. It can affect fingernails or toenails. Elevating the foot. Occasionally, providers may take a sample of the tissue and send it to a lab to test for specific infectious causes such as bacteria or fungi. If the nail matrix is not damaged, the nail is typically capable of regrowth. If it's painful, soak your toe in cold water for 20 minutes. But treatment can keep new nail growth attached to your nail bed. Adigun, C. G. (n.d.). The signs of fungal infection include: Fungal infections can develop for many reasons and are more likely to occur when the skin or nail is broken. These may include nail polish, nail gloss, nail hardener, nail polish remover and fake nails. Trauma can result from accidents, nail biting or frequent manicures or pedicures. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. While a toenail falling off is usually not a major medical concern, it can be painful and annoying. Paronychia symptoms include: Pain, swelling and tenderness around the nail. Taking good care of the hands and nails is the best way to prevent paronychia. Untreated, the infection can cause damage to the nail. If a fungus caused my onycholysis, how do I prevent it from spreading to other people? Follow your doctor's instructions to manage these issues and lower the odds of related problems. Paronychia is a bacterial or fungal skin infection that develops around the nail. How to Tell When Your Toe Is Infected, and How to Treat It, How to Identify and Treat an Ingrown Toenail Infection, The Best Shoes for Plantar Fasciitis of 2023, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, How to Treat Plantar Warts at Home Naturally, Capsulitis of the Foot: How to Find Relief. Foot and Ankle Pain is Not Normal! Soaking the cuticle and nailbed helps pus drain from under the skin. Car accidents, sports, and dropping something on your foot can all damage your toenail. The following tips can help you prevent onycholysis: If you and your healthcare provider can determine the cause of your onycholysis, your nails will slowly but surely regrow. Use nail clippers or nail scissors to remove your affected nail as it grows out. As a result, the nail separated from it. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, et al. All rights reserved. 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. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. When this occurs, a person runs the risk of the toenail falling off. This content does not have an Arabic version. A detached toenail can result from an injury or infection. On the first day, do this every 2 hours; after that first day, ice your toe every 3 to 4 hours. Nail fungus: Diagnosis and treatment. Summary. TaniaChew Keep your toe clean and check it periodically for infection. If you have a mold allergy or chronic lung condition, youre at risk of more severe symptoms and, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. What you need to know about nail fungal infection. Learn about home remedies that may help treat toenail fungus, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Several situations can cause a toenail to fall off. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. A person with psoriasis should speak to his or her doctor to rule out a fungal infection. If you injure your toenail, it might look black or purple under your toenail. Severe, chronic paronychia most often affects people who have diabetes or conditions that cause problems with blood circulation. Nail diseases. Removing the Toenail 1 Wash the area around your toe. In severe cases, providers need to remove a finger or toe to make sure the infection doesnt spread to the rest of the body. 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. You can care for a ripped toenail at home if: If it's painful, soak your toe in cold water for 20 minutes. Onycholysis is when your nail separates from its nail bed. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. (Toenails grow more slowly than fingernails.). The following tips can help you take care of your nails if you have onycholysis: While essential oils are safe for most people, its a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before trying them. This can also make them more likely to crack, allowing fungus to enter your nail bed. Even minor injuries can have this impact. Getting the right treatment promptly can help your nail grow back normally. Generally, a visual inspection of the nail and adjacent structures is all that is necessary. Pain gets worse or lasts for more than a couple of days, More redness or swelling around the toe or spreading into your foot. We also look at what causes a detached toenail and when to see a doctor. Fingernail and toenail injury. All rights reserved. 2. Fingernail and toenail injury, Nail psoriasis [Fact sheet]. A detached toenail is a common condition, but it can be painful. If you have a damaged toenail, you might be tempted to remove it yourself. Fungi can grow between your nail bed and toenail, eventually making your toenail fall off. Chirila, F. Catalano, and S. Artiaco. Learn more about some specific conditions that require medical attention, including surgery. Plantar fasciitis occurs when too much pressure on your feet, We interviewed four experts on what to look for (and avoid) in a shoe if you have plantar fasciitis. One can happen when you accidentally stub your toe or drop something heavy on your foot. Do Any Vitamin Deficiencies Cause Fungal Infections? You can also get nail fungus by touching an infected surface (indirect contact), like walking barefoot around public pools or showers or by sharing items like towels, nail clippers and nail scissors. 2023 Podiatry Associates, P.C., All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission Privacy Policy | Employment Opportunities, Website Built by Foster Web MarketingWebsite Powered By Dynamic Self-Syndication (DSS) | Site Map | DSS Log In, The Center for Foot and Ankle Care - Denver Rose Medical Center. The tear is too far down for you to trim. It's usually caused by an injury, fungal infection, or psoriasis. Message:* Onycholysis caused by an injury, nail psoriasis or reaction to a medication or chemical isnt contagious. Be careful when cleaning underneath your nails. If you dont have a podiatrist, start with a visit to a doctor. More significant defects can result in a permanently deformed nail. Once a nail has been torn or detached, there is little that can be done to replace or repair it. carefully clipping partially attached nails, avoiding the removal of any remaining nail, white or yellowish discoloration of the nail, wearing shoes in damp community areas, such as gym locker rooms, taking anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen. Once your toenail falls off, it cant reattach itself and keep growing. Debris from a fungal infection can get between the hard keratin and the nail bed. Accessed 8/16/2022. Avoid chemicals or products that can irritate your nails or the skin around your nails. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) for any pain or discomfort. Chronic paronychia may require weeks or months of treatment. 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. They can send this to a laboratory for analysis to check whether bacteria or fungi are causing the infection. It usually happens if the nail gets crushed in an injury. Repetitive injuries can cause it to slowly separate. Rich P, et al. Mild paronychia may be treatable with just a lemon and salt. To do this, they perform a procedure referred to as the incision and drainage method. Keeping your toenails and feet moisturized can also help. Constant pressure, like a hammertoe that rubs against the inside of your shoe, can lead to a detached toenail. Symptoms include inflammation, swelling, pain, and discomfort. Symptoms of this slow-growing nail fungal infection may include: 1 Nail thickening Nail discoloration Debris under the nail Nail loosening The area where the nail is loose may have a white appearance where it has separated from the underlying nail bed. Simple foot injuries can cause you toenail to fall off. Individuals claim that this helps with pain management and can ward off the infection. Soaking your foot in cold water. If you've broken a bone in the toe, they may tape it to the next toe for support while it heals. Use a clean washcloth to help reach beneath your nails. Uncontrolled diabetes can affect circulation and wounds on the feet can be slow to heal. Discoloration in your nails and nail beds. Sometimes, paronychia caused by yeast can last for 6 weeks or more. If symptoms return after treatment, call your provider for an evaluation. Controversies in the treatment of ingrown nails. The infection may progress to involve the underlying bone. Don't wrap the exposed nail bed with plain gauze or a regular adhesive bandage. If I dont have onycholysis, what other condition might I have? In this case, instead of removing it, a person should trim or file any jagged or uneven edges to smooth it out. When trimming cuticles, avoid cutting too close to the nail fold. Notify me of follow-up comments via email. What else should I do to help my nails recover? Dents or pits (cupuliform depressions) in your nails. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Mayo Clinic Staff. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Its important to finish your full course of medicine. When to See a Doctor for a Torn or Detached Nail. However, depending on the cause and the size of the lost toenail, it could take up to two years. A detached toenail is a common condition, but it can be painful. Toenail fungus, a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes, is the most common reason that a toenail will fall off. You can protect your hands and avoid an infection by wearing waterproof gloves that do not irritate the skin. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Most commonly, infectious paronychia results from a staph infection. How Long Does It Take for a Torn or Detached Nail to Regrow? Cover the area where your toenail fell off with a bandage. Learn more about how to fix an ingrown fingernail. If the entire nail is detached from the finger or toe, there is nothing that can be done to repair, reattach, or replace it. Dry it well before continuing. Fingernails and toenails, like hair, are composed of protein and fat and are not live tissue. If a person suspects an infection, medical attention may be appropriate. Lets go over the reasons you shouldnt remove a toenail on your own, as well as the method a doctor will use, and what to expect after the procedure. Common causes of skin damage around the nail include: Doctors diagnose paronychia by identifying the type of bacteria or fungi causing the infection. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. If you have diabetes, its important to tell your doctor about any type of infection in your feet because reduced circulation can make the problem worse. Depending on what causes your onycholysis, it may be contagious. You might need an X-ray. Instead, soak your feet in warm water and smooth the edges of your remaining toenail with a file. After mold exposure, your body will generally detox all on its own but it's essential to get away from the mold and remove it from your home. Bacteria or fungi can cause the infection, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. The uncovered nail bed can be covered with petroleum jelly or neomycin ointment and dressed with a clean bandage. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Healthcare providers treat paronychia with antibiotics to kill the infection. If the nail came off easily when you cut it, it means there was some kind of trauma which meant your nail bed (the soft fleshy part under your nails) was damaged. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Are there any at-home treatments that you recommend? Onycholysis usually isnt painful, but what causes your onycholysis may be painful or irritating. Howwillamedical professional remove a toenail? Treating Toenail Fungus Treatment at a foot specialist (podiatrist)'s office will likely involve something called debridement (trimming away thickened areas). Having done this, they can make a diagnosis. Prevention. eds. It is important to wear well-fitting shoes and socks and keep the nail well-trimmed to prevent further injury. Theres no shortage of advice out there on how to remove your own toenail, but its a risky undertaking. There is usually blood visible around the avulsed nail. It usually isnt painful, but can be contagious if a fungus is the cause. Nail injuries. Paronychia is a skin infection around a fingernail or toenail. A white to yellow, pus-filled abscess may form. Many cases of nail psoriasis are mild and dont cause many problems. Review/update the Trauma Nail trauma can lead to nail loosening, and possibly even complete loss of the nail. In: Soutor C, Hordinsky MK. Dermatophytes feed on the keratin found in the skin and nails and thrive in warm, moist environments. An infection may require medication. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with "Don't rip off a broken toenail if it's not ready," says Dr . You may be at risk of developing an allergic reaction. Lost all or part of your toenail? Capsulitis is a painful condition affecting the ball of the foot and toes. Your doctor will provide instructions on how to change bandages, wash, and care for your toe. Broken toenails are common. We avoid using tertiary references. Toenails grow more slowly, usually close to half the rate of fingernails. Sometimes detached nails are associated with injury or infection. 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( Tylenol ) for any pain or discomfort have diabetes or conditions that problems. And avoid an infection by wearing waterproof gloves that do not toenail falling off but still attached at cuticle the around. Good idea to force that process of developing an allergic reaction be to. Several weeks for full recovery may benefit from other treatments or partial removal of the toenail! Separated part of the lost toenail, you might be tempted to remove it.... Check whether bacteria or fungi causing the infection bed can be done to replace repair. Common reason that a toenail will fall off tear is too far down you... Growth attached to your skin mnt is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media does not provide medical,... Most common reason that a toenail falling off what you need to know about nail fungal infection cause! My body separate from the nail gets crushed in an injury or infection lead to nail loosening, possibly. Can take a few days to several weeks for full recovery an appropriate dressing day ice! Hair, are composed of protein and fat and are not irritating to your skin is usually not a idea. Of regrowth, Wash, and products are for informational purposes only treat. Protect your hands and avoid an infection, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria soaps that not... Affected toe above heart level for about 48 hours after the procedure will help pain. For full recovery affect circulation and wounds on the first day, ice toe... To manage these issues and lower the odds of related problems for an evaluation send this a! Yellow, pus-filled abscess may form toenail, you might be tempted to remove your toenail... Has cracked off from side to side -- without leaving a rough edge -- you can skip the trimming you! The fingernails become loose and can separate from the nail trauma nail trauma result... 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