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How do you treat a toenail that is partially ripped off?
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 nonstick bandage.
Should I cut off detached toenail?
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.
Will a toenail grow back if the whole thing came off?
After a nail separates from the nail bed for whatever reason, it will not reattach. A new nail will have to grow back in its place. Nails grow back slowly. It takes about 6 months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back.
How do you heal a ripped off toenail?
Coat the area with antibiotic ointment and top with a nonstick bandage. Change the bandage every day and whenever it gets wet. (If any part gets stuck, soak it under warm running water until it slips off.) For the first couple of days, ease any pain and swelling by propping up your foot.
How do I take my toe nail off that’s falling off but still attached from the right side?
If the detached part of your toenail is still attached to your toe, use nail clippers to carefully trim it off to prevent it from catching on your sock or clothing. Your doctor can help you do this if you’re not comfortable doing it on your own. Use a nail file to smooth any jagged or sharp edges.
How can you tell if a toenail has ripped off?
The base or sides of the nail are pulling away or already detached from the nail bed or nail folds. The toenail has ripped off. (The nail bed may look pearly, as though the nail is still there, even though it’s completely off.) Bring the nail with you.
When to go to the ER for a ripped off toenail?
Go to an urgent care center or emergency room when: The tear is too far down for you to trim. The base or sides of the nail are pulling away or already detached from the nail bed or nail folds. The toenail has ripped off. (The nail bed may look pearly, as though the nail is still there, even though it’s completely off.) Bring the nail with you.
What should I do if my toenail is falling off?
A doctor can numb the area, stop any bleeding, and treat the nail. That could include cleaning, trimming, and putting the nail back in place if it’s detached but in good condition. Your nail, or an artificial one, will protect the nail bed, and it’s more comfortable than a bandage.
What does it mean to cut the end of a toenail?
Cutting a “V” in the end of the toenail. V-cutting involves trimming the end of the nail such that a V-shape is formed at the free edge. This is said to encourage the nail to grow toward the center and prevent future instances of being ingrown.