Should i tear my toenail off

Topic Overview What causes a detached nail? A nail may separate from the nail bed detach for many reasons, including: Injuries. Separation caused by injury is common in people who have long fingernails. The nail may pry away from the nail bed when it is hit or jammed. Severe or repetitive toe stubbing may cause a toenail to detach. This is also common in athletes who wear shoes that aren't roomy enough. Fungal nail infection , which occurs when fungi invade a fingernail or toenail and the skin underneath the nail nail bed.

Toenails are more commonly affected than fingernails, and symptoms include cracked, yellow, discoloured, streaked, thickened, or spotted nails. Skin conditions, such as psoriasis. Chemicals, such as acetone nail polish removers or some soaps.

Medicines, such as chemotherapy or antimalarial medicines. Severe illnesses. How is it treated? File any sharp edges smooth, or trim the nail.

Toenails are more commonly affected than fingernails, and symptoms include cracked, yellow, discoloured, streaked, thickened, or spotted nails. Skin conditions, such as psoriasis. Chemicals, such as acetone nail polish removers or some soaps. Medicines, such as chemotherapy or antimalarial medicines. Severe illnesses. How is it treated? File any sharp edges smooth, or trim the nail. This will help prevent catching the nail and tearing it more. Trim off the detached part of a large tear, or leave the nail alone.

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.

If you leave the detached nail in place, it will eventually fall off when the new nail grows in. Use scissors to remove the detached part of the nail if the nail is partly attached. Soak your finger or toe in cold water for 20 minutes after trimming the nail. Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and cover the area with a non-stick bandage.

Bandage the toe. If the toenail has not completely fallen off, you can bandage the nail to your toe until it falls off. You can also apply a bandage over the nail bed after the nail has detached from the nail bed.

Keep the bandage on for 7 to 10 days until the skin of the nail bed hardens. Trim the existing nail. Trim off any sharp edges of the toenail to prevent catching or tearing on socks or other items. Soak your feet in cold water. You can soak your toe daily in cold water for 20 minutes. Elevate your foot as much as possible. You may have stitches. You may have some swelling, colour changes, and bloody crusting on or around the wound for 2 or 3 days. This is normal. Taking good care of your wound at home will help it heal quickly and reduce your chance of infection.

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. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.

Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Call your doctor or nurse call line now or seek immediate medical care if:.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if:. Author: Healthwise Staff. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional.