- Cover the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage until the nail has grown out enough to protect the finger or toe.
- If you trim off the detached nail, you will have less worry about the nail catching and tearing.
Will my toenail grow back after partial removal?
If you have a partial toenail removal, your nail may grow back
in approximately three to four months
. If you had your toenail totally removed, regrowth can take up to a year. The nail that grows back will be thinner than it was before.
How long does a ripped off toenail take to heal?
The wound should heal
within a few weeks
. If completely removed, fingernails may take 6 months to grow back. Toenails may take 12 to 18 months to grow back. Injured nails may look different when they grow back.
Should you pull off a damaged toenail?
If you have a damaged toenail, you might be tempted to remove it yourself. But while damaged toenails sometimes fall off on their own,
it’s not a good idea to force that process
. Removing a damaged toenail yourself could lead to serious complications that end up making matters worse.
Should I cover an exposed nail bed?
It needs to be protected from injury for the first 7 to 10 days until it dries out and becomes hard. Keep it covered with
a nonstick dressing or a bandage without adhesive
. When a dressing is placed on an exposed nail bed, it may stick and be hard to remove if left in place more than 24 hours.
How do you take care of your toenail after removing it?
- Wash around the wound with water twice daily, as directed.
- Keep the toe covered with a thin layer of petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment, as recommended, and a nonstick bandage during the first week.
- Remove the bandage when you sleep, beginning in the second week post-surgery, to promote healing.
Can I wear shoes after toenail removal?
You should
wear loose-fitting shoes or sneakers for the first 2 weeks after the procedure
. Please avoid wearing high-heeled or tight-fitting shoes in the future. You should avoid running, jumping, or strenuous activity for 2 weeks after the surgery.
Should I cut off my fungus toenail?
Sometimes nails can become so toughened and thickened by a fungal infection that a standard pair of toenail clippers just won’t, well…
cut it
. If your pair of clippers or trimmers is not doing the job well, do not continue using them.
Can I walk after toenail removal?
Can I walk after ingrown toenail surgery? Although your toe will be numb after the procedure,
you can still walk out of the clinic
. We recommend that you rest and avoid activity for the rest of that day to minimize pain and ensure good healing.
What illnesses make your toenails fall off?
A nail fungal infection, known as onychomycosis
, is one of the most common reasons that toenails detach from the nail bed and fall off.
What does onycholysis look like?
Nail lifting (onycholysis) is the spontaneous separation (detachment) of the fingernail or toenail from the nail bed at the end of the nail (distal) and/or on the sides of the nail (lateral). The appearance of nail lifting may
resemble a half-moon
, or the free edge of the nail may rise up like a hood.
How do I know if my toenail fungus is healing?
Nail fungus can be resistant to treatment and nails take a long time to grow out, so it can take
several weeks or months
for an infection to be fully resolved. You will know that the treatment is working and the infection is clearing up when you see growth of a new, healthy nail from the base of the nail bed.
Can you heal a damaged nail bed?
Injury outlook
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.
What do you do with an infected nail bed?
Care at home includes
warm soaks in warm water
or a mixture of 50% warm water and 50% liquid antibacterial soap three to four times daily for about 15 minutes. This soaking should be done at the first sign of redness around the nail. Once any abscess is visible, you should see your doctor.
How long do nail bed injuries take 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.
How do you wrap your big toe after removing a nail?
Do not be tempted to wrap the toe in tape as this may restrict circulation. Cut the tubular bandage to about
21⁄2 times the length of the toe
and using your index and fore fingers, pull it over the dressing followed by a full twist to seal the end of the toe before pulling it back over the dressing.
