Nails
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Health

I injured my nail causing it to lift from the nail bed. Is the nail damaged for good?

December 20, 2010

You have onycholysis on the nail, which is defined as separation of the nail plate from the nail bed.

This is a common problem which is often caused by an injury to the nail. It usually repairs itself, although it may take six months or more in severe cases. The nail does not glue itself back down to the nail bed once it is detached. It has to grow out and attach as it is growing. Keep the nail cut back as far as you can to prevent a “lever action” from lifting the nail as the delicate cells are trying to reattach to the nail bed. Some people think it helps to keep nail cosmetics off the damaged nail while it is growing back and healing itself. It is very important to take precautions against getting a fungus in a nail that is weakened by the injury. Avoid prolonged water exposure when possible. — Dr. Rich

It may just appear that the new nail is not reattaching. In his book, Nails: Therapy, Diagnosis, Surgery, Dr. Scher states that it takes the normal nail about two months to grow the 5 mm out from under the proximal nail fold. The replacement growth of injured nail is slightly faster. With this in mind, you should be just seeing the edge of the new nail plate growing out from under your eponychium and it would be rather difficult to determine if it was attached or not. It takes approximately six months for a fingernail to replace itself completely. Only time will tell how badly the soft tissues of the matrix and nail bed were injured. The more severe the injury, the more chance there is that the nail plate will grow in malformed or remain unattached from the nail bed.


A number of years ago I hit my thumb with a hammer during a woodworking project. It was a very minor injury but I noticed that the nail was partially detached form the nail bed. Since I worked with fungal nails on a daily basis, I was worried that I would acquire a fungal infection under this injured nail plate. I kept the nail trimmed short and clean. Each day I used an antifungal liquid on the area. New nail plate was growing but was malformed on the injured side of the nail. It did not seem that it was attaching to the underlying nail. I thought that I was destined for a malformed nail for the rest of my life. After about 18 months the nail plate began reattaching to the nail bed and today no one would ever know this nail had ever been injured. What I learned from this is to never say never, practice good sanitation, and let nature take its course. — Dr. Mix

More FAQ

Does working with chemicals and powders all day harm my lungs?

The salon I work in is extremely busy with acrylics. Does working with chemicals and powders all day harm my lungs? My clients wonder the same for times they stay in the salon for long periods of time. How do I reply to their questions?... read more

Do vitamins really enhance the strength and thickness of nails?

Do vitamins really enhance the strength and thickness of nails?... read more

Are there polish removers for people with allergies to traditional removers?

I have a client whose sister is extremely allergic to everything. I know there are polishes for sensitive nails, but what about polish removers? She says both acetone and non-acetone removers cause allergic reactions on her hands. Is there any solution?... read more

Are there natural alternatives out there for cleaning and disinfecting the whirlpool spa chair that are effective?

Are there natural alternatives out there for cleaning and disinfecting the whirlpool spa chair that are effective? We are currently using an EPA-registered aerosol spray made for this purpose, but I find the fumes unbearable and I am concerned they are unhealthy to inadvertently inhale.... read more

Should I work on a client with a green bacterial infection under enhancements?

If a new client comes to me from another salon with artificial overlays and they have a green bacterial infection underneath, should I soak the nails off and reapply new product or have them come back after the infection has been treated and is gone?... read more

Is it safe for me to wear acrylics if I do a lot of pedicures and my hands are constantly in dirty water?

I am a nail technician who does a lot of pedicures. My hands are constantly in dirty water. Is it safe for me to wear acrylics? Am I more likely to develop a nail infection?... read more

Why does my natural nail client have red moons?

I have a natural nail client who has red moons. They used to be healthy and white, but now they are an angry red about halfway up from the cuticles. She hasn’t changed medications or detergent and she isn’t experiencing any discomfort. What could this be?... read more

How can I increase adhesion on a hardly filed nail?

I have a client with eczema. Her nails have horizontal ridges and are very thin. If I go easy on the filing, her enhancements pop off. If I file like usual, she tells me they’re sensitive. I have recommended letting one or two nails go “bare” until they heal, but she doesn’t want to. How can I increase adhesion on a hardly filed nail?... read more

Isn’t it unsanitary to repeatedly use the same bottle of brush-on cuticle oil on our clients' nails?

Even though we have clients scrub before a service, isn’t it unsanitary to repeatedly use the same bottle of brush-on cuticle oil around (and especially under) our clients’ nails?... read more

When can I work on bruised nails?

When can I work on bruised nails?... read more

What is the best way to treat a client with scarring of the proximal nail fold region?

What is the best way to treat a client with scarring of the proximal nail fold region?... read more

What is psoriasis?

What is psoriasis?... read more