If a nail falls off, clean the area, cover it with a bandage, and keep it dry. See a doctor if it looks infected or the cause is unclear.
Steps
- Clean the area with soap and water.
- Stop any bleeding with pressure.
- Cover with a bandage and keep it dry.
- Protect the nail bed with petroleum jelly.
Regrowth
Fingernails take 4 to 6 months. Toenails take 12 to 18 months.
Causes
Injury, fungus, infection or tight shoes.
See a doctor
If you see pus, spreading redness, severe pain, or if you have diabetes.
Don’t
Pull off a partly attached nail.
Care steps
If a nail falls off, clean the nail bed with soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment, cover with a non-stick bandage and keep it dry for the first days. Trim any loose, sharp edge. Do not pull off a partly attached nail. Pain usually settles in a few days.
- A fingernail takes about 4 to 6 months to regrow fully, and a toenail takes 12 to 18 months.
- A new nail may look ridged or thick at first.
- Causes include injury, fungal infection, psoriasis, chemotherapy, hand-foot-and-mouth disease and tight shoes in runners.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for deep injury, bleeding that will not stop, a bone showing, signs of infection (pus, spreading redness, heat, fever), or if the nail was lost without injury, which may signal a medical condition. People with diabetes or poor circulation should have it checked promptly. Do not apply artificial nails over the bed until healed.
Care steps
If a nail falls off, clean the nail bed, apply antibiotic ointment, cover with a bandage and keep dry. A new nail takes 4 to 6 months for fingers and 12 to 18 months for toes.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for deep wounds, signs of infection, severe pain or if the nail came off without injury, which can be due to fungus or disease.
Why a nail falls off
Nails can detach after trauma such as slamming a finger or running in tight shoes, from fungal infection, psoriasis, chemotherapy, severe illness (onychomadesis), or reactions to medications. Fingernails regrow in about 4 to 6 months and toenails take 12 to 18 months because they grow about 1 millimeter per month in toes and 3 millimeters per month in fingers.
Care and when to see a doctor
Keep the area clean and dry, use petroleum jelly with a bandage, and avoid pulling off a loose nail. Trim the loose part carefully. See a doctor for deep wounds, signs of infection such as spreading redness, pus or fever, severe pain, black discoloration under the nail without injury (to exclude melanoma) or if several nails detach. Diabetes increases the risk of complications. A new nail may grow thicker or ridged.
Based on data from the American Academy of Dermatology and the Mayo Clinic
