Can a damaged nail bed be repaired?
Many injuries to your nail bed can be fully repaired. For example, your nail should return to normal after a subungual hematoma is drained. However, some severe injuries can lead to a deformed nail. This is more likely when the base of your nail bed is injured.
How do you treat an injured nail bed?
Treatment of nail bed injuries
- removing all jewelry.
- washing the injured area gently with fragrance-free soap.
- bandaging the injury gently, if there is an open wound.
- applying an ice pack for about 20 minutes at a time.
- elevating the injured hand or foot.
- applying gentle compression to reduce any throbbing.
How long does it take for a damaged nail bed to heal?
If you lose your nail, it will take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal. A new fingernail will take about 4 to 6 months to grow to replace the lost nail. Toenails take about 12 months to grow back.
Will a damaged nail bed grow back?
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.
Should I cover an exposed nail bed?
Recommended. Protect any exposed part of the nail bed for 7 to 10 days until this skin hardens and isn’t sensitive anymore. Coat the area with antibiotic ointment and top with a nonstick bandage. Change the bandage every day and whenever it gets wet.
What is the white part of your nail?
Lunulae cover the bottom of your nail, just above your cuticle. Lunulae are part of your nail matrix. The matrix refers to the tissue just beneath your nail. It contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels.
Will a nail reattach to the nail bed?
What does Onycholysis look like?
If you have onycholysis, your nail will begin to peel upward off of the nail bed underneath. This is not usually painful while it happens. The affected nail may become yellow, greenish, purple, white, or gray, depending on the cause.
How do you stop your nails from lifting from the nail bed?
Treatments provided by a podiatrist include: Trimming the nail, filing any sharp edges and keeping the nail smooth. This will help prevent more trauma and damage to the nail. Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and cover the area with a non-stick bandage.
Why do nails lift from the nail bed?
Fungal infections of the nails thicken the tissue immediately underneath the nail plate and cause edge of the nail to lift. Certain skin conditions, including allergic reactions and psoriasis are common causes of onycholysis.
Why is the white part of my nail so big?
For others, the white spots may be larger and stretch across the entire nail. The spots may affect one nail or several. The most common cause of leukonychia is injury to the nail bed. These injuries can occur if you pinch or strike your nail or finger.
Why are my nails separating from the nail bed?
Sometimes detached nails are associated with injury or infection. In other cases nail separation is a reaction to a particular drug or consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives. Thyroid disease and psoriasis — a condition characterized by scaly patches on the skin — also can cause nail separation.
How do you treat a damaged nail bed?
Take supplements daily to strengthen your nails, encourage healing and prevent future damage. Biotin, a type of vitamin B, is especially helpful at restoring damaged toenails and toenail beds, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center .
Does the nail bed really regenerate?
The nail bed regenerated well in the presence of the nail matrix and poorly in its absence, suggesting that the nail bed regenerated from the nail matrix. Full-thickness skin graft or flap coverage of nail bed defects resulted in the good nail bed regeneration. The nail bed grew back, pushing the graft or the flap distally.
Can a damaged nail or nail bed be repaired?
If the nail is damaged or torn, the doctor may remove it and repair the nail bed. They may also do so if the finger or toe is fractured. The doctors may likewise remove part or all of the nail if the nail bed matrix is damaged.
When to seek treatment for toenail trauma?
If there is blunt trauma to the toenail. For example, if a heavy object has been dropped on the toe, it is best to seek treatment to rule out a fracture and treat any wound beneath the nail bed. If toenail trauma leads to severe swelling, pain, or redness of the toe.
