What to do if fingernail falls off?

Trim off the detached part of a large tear, or leave the nail alone.

  1. Cover the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage until the nail has grown out enough to protect the finger or toe.
  2. If you trim off the detached nail, you will have less worry about the nail catching and tearing.

What causes your fingernails to fall out?

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.

What does losing your nails mean?

Fingernail or toenail separation can have numerous causes but is typically related to trauma or a fungal infection of the nails. Nail separation can sometimes be associated with other abnormalities of the nails, including nail pitting, flaking or crumbling, or other damage to or changes in the nail.

Is it bad if you lose a nail?

Detached toenails are usually safe to remove, and they will typically grow back within a year and a half. A detached toenail can result from an injury or infection. Fungal infections or injuries may require additional medical attention to help ensure the toenail grows back properly.

Can you lose your fingernail forever?

As long as there is no permanent damage to the nail matrix or nail bed, the nail ought to entirely regrow and appear completely normal.

Do fingernails grow back after being removed?

If completely removed, fingernails may take 6 months to grow back. Toenails may take 12 to 18 months to grow back.

Can nails regrow?

Your nails may grow into the surrounding skin, causing pain, swelling, and infection. Once your nail separates from its nail bed, for whatever reason, it will not reattach. Nails grow back slowly. It takes about 6 months for fingernails and up to 18 months for toenails to grow back attached to the nail bed.