How do toenails grow back

It can take 6 months or longer for your nail to grow out. Other factors affect the speed of regrowth. For example, nails tend to grow slower in older adults and in colder climates. Nails grow faster in the summer. Overall health also has an impact on growth. And since hormones affect regrowth, your toenails and fingernails might grow quicker during pregnancy.

Nails grow from underneath your skin at the matrix , which is the root of your nail. New cells form in the matrix. And as these new cells grow, older cells move up and push through your skin. The cells on the surface die and harden, turning into nails. OTC anti-inflammatory drugs can relieve mild pain, and the nail will eventually grow back.

You should call a doctor for hard-to-treat nail fungus, nail psoriasis, and other symptoms of an infection. Symptoms of infection include:. Toenails and fingernails protect your skin, but you might lose a nail due to trauma, fungus, or other reasons. Most nails grow back, although the rate of regrowth can vary from person to person. It might take several months or a year to grow back.

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, discolored, 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. There are several common causes of a nail falling off. These include fungal infections, injuries, and psoriasis. There are some less common causes, such as medication side effects and other illnesses, which do not affect many people.

Fungus can grow on many areas of the body, including between the nail and the nail bed. When this occurs, a person runs the risk of the toenail falling off. However, there are some signs a person can look out for before a nail a detaches. The signs of fungal infection include:. Fungal infections can develop for many reasons and are more likely to occur when the skin or nail is broken. Key causes and risk factors include:. Treating fungal infections is often tricky.

It may require topical creams, oral antifungal medications, or sometimes a combination of the two. Preventing toenail fungus may be easier than treating the infection. A person can prevent toenail fungus by:. Injuries are a common cause of a toenail falling off. Even minor injuries can have this impact. Typical injuries may include:. When injured, the toenail will often appear black or purple as blood collects under the nail, which is called subungual hematoma.

The blood puts pressure on the nail, which may fall off after several weeks. When the hematoma covers more than a small portion of the nail, or there is intense pain or throbbing, a person should seek medical attention. A doctor may be able to relieve the pressure by creating a small hole with a needle, which allows the blood to drain.

While the injury is fresh, avoid adhesive bandages or bandages made with fibrous materials that might stick to the wound such as gauze. One good option it to use a silk bandage and hold it in place with a toe sock. Wear shoes that fit well to avoid further injury. If you wear shoes that are too small especially high heels , you can easily bruise your toenails and aggravate your injured nail bed.

Your toes will only have a small space to move during a long period of time, which can slow the process of regrowing the nail. When you're done running, for instance, steadily slow to a walk so that you don't pitch forward, and your toes don't hit the tips of your shoes.

Wear breathable cotton socks instead of tights or pantyhose. Your doctor may recommend wearing an orthopedic shoe for a while to protect your toe and give it a chance to heal. Be patient as your nail grows in. You may be able to somewhat speed your nail growth with soaks and vitamins, but you'll still need to wait for the nail to restore itself. It may be tempting to pull off unneeded bits of nail, but you shouldn't mess with it unless it's a hangnail or an ingrown toenail.

Method 2. Soak the nail in warm saltwater times a day to prevent infection. A saltwater soak can help clean your toe, kill bacteria, and promote healing. Make a solution of 1 teaspoon about 5 g of salt and 4 cups 0. Soak your toe in the solution for 20 minutes, times daily. You may need to wait hours after the initial injury before you can safely do a soak, so ask your doctor for instructions.

You can also make an Epsom salt soak using 2 teaspoons 10 g of Epsom salts with 2 US quarts 1. Treat the nail with vitamin E ointment to encourage growth. Studies show that topical vitamin E solutions can improve the health of your nails and help them grow more quickly.

National Institutes of Health Go to source Once your new nail starts growing in, add a thin layer of vitamin E oil or ointment to the affected area each day. Wear open-toed shoes or no shoes for an hour after application, or until the oil has soaked into the skin. The effect will be stronger if you give your skin time to absorb the moisture. Try taking a biotin supplement.

Hair and nails may grow more quickly when you take biotin as a dietary supplement. Indeed, weak and slow-growing nails are often linked to a biotin deficiency. National Institutes of Health Go to source Talk to your doctor about using a biotin supplement to help your new nail come in strong and healthy.

Always talk to your doctor before starting any new dietary supplement. Let them know about any other supplements or medications you are currently taking. Eat a diet rich in calcium and protein to promote better nail growth.

To help your missing nail heal as well as possible, try to eat plenty of the following: Calcium-rich foods, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, canned fish with bones such as sardines , beans and lentils, almonds, and leafy greens. Get a massage to promote better circulation in your feet.

Sometimes poor circulation in your feet can inhibit healthy nail growth and make your nails weak. Consider going to a massage therapist or massaging your own feet at home using your hands or a foot roller. Manage any health conditions that might affect your nail growth. If you have any underlying conditions that might make it harder for your nails to grow in properly, see your doctor to make sure they are being treated properly.

There are many conditions that can weaken or damage your nails, including: Diabetes Psoriasis Toenail fungus Repetitive toe injuries e. If I take one biotin pill every day and moisturize with olive oil, how long will it take my toenail to grow back?