What To Do If Your Toenail Fell Off

No need of getting confused or alarmed if your toenail fell off. This is a relatively common condition which is medically termed as onychocryptosis. Two most common causes of toenails falling off are trauma to the nail and fungal infection of the nail bed. Fungal infections of the nail are known as onychomycosis. Before the nail falls off, it discolors.

Fungi usually invade the toenails through small punctures or breaches present between the nail bed and the nail. Warm, dark and damp environments favor its growth. The nail is made up of keratin and fungus usually feeds on this to survive. Eventually the toenail acquires yellowish brown discoloration, it thickens and falls off. If this happens, consult a podiatrist who can manage the disease properly. Oral and topical antifungals will be prescribed for treating the infection. You should not be worried about the nail, it will grow back within six months if proper care is taken.

Another cause of a toenail falling off is severe trauma or injury to the toenail. Athletes are at a higher risk of injuring their toenails. Toenails continuously banged against the edge of shoes can cause blood vessels to get ruptured resulting in subungual hematoma. This can lead to the falling off of the toenail. Common signs of this condition are black toenails and pain. Consult your doctor at the first signs of this condition. The hematoma will be drained through a small hole in the skin and the pain will be relieved. A toenail that has already fallen off will usually grow back within a few months.

Here are a few preventive tips which can help you avoid this condition. Always wear good quality shoes and socks that keep your feet dry. This will help in preventing fungal infections which grow in moist conditions. In swimming pools and public showers always wear something on your feet to prevent contact with fungi or related organisms. Wear well fitting shoes that leave enough room for the toe. Keep your toenails trimmed, so that they cannot be injured as easily.

The common term for losing toenails in dermatology is onychomadesis. This term usually refers to the conditions which cause falling off of the toenails other than by injury. It includes certain systemic diseases like allergies of the skin, fungal and bacterial infections, Kawasaki Syndrome and peripheral ischemic conditions like diabetes. The treatment depends on treating the disease causing this condition. Usually, if your toenail fell off, it will grow back again in a few months.

By: Elizabeth Durham

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Elizabeth specializes in all types of medical conditions for human digits. In the foot category, her expertise is in bunions treatment, and treatments for a black toenail, and also for yellow toenails . She also has knowledge of ingrown toenail remedies.