Onycholysis is a detachment nail plate from its bed under the influence of one or more negative factors. If a person’s nail falls off, this is not only an unpleasant and frightening situation, but also a significant cosmetic defect. An unsightly, deformed area may be noticed on a date, business meeting and will create an unpleasant impression. The main task is to find out where the problem came from, how long ago it appeared and what to do to solve it.
Causes of onycholysis
Injured nail Of course, a nail cannot fall off on its own without any reason. There are 5 main reasons why nails become dull, thin and eventually peel. This process is most often painless, but if you accidentally catch a half-bent nail, severe pain and bleeding occurs. As a result, pathogenic bacteria, fungus or human papillomavirus can get into the wound.
Why do toenails fall off:
- Fungal diseases affecting the nail plate. The fungus gradually destroys the nail structure, thinning it and causing peeling.
- Nail injury. Even a small blow can damage the fragile capillaries that nourish the nail.
- An allergic reaction very often leads to problems with nails, especially if you use low-quality cosmetics or cheap dishwashing detergents. This is a so-called contact allergy that occurs to the chemical components of varnishes, creams and other cosmetics and chemicals. Dermatitis also falls into this category.
- In combination with other negative factors, certain medications can provoke detachment of the nail plate. For example, after undergoing a course of treatment with antibiotics, especially tetracyclines, the condition of the nails worsens significantly. If in addition the body is exposed ultraviolet radiation(long stay on the beach, solarium), negative effect increases.
- The structure of the nail may be damaged due to a lack of vitamins, microelements and if metabolic processes in organism. To make up for the loss necessary substances, you need to eat right and take additional vitamins.
If there is a hematoma on the nail plate in the affected area, most likely the reason lies in uncomfortable, traumatic shoes. Many problems arise from using beautiful, but poor quality or disproportionate shoes for the foot. If the nail regularly rests against the tight, hard fabric inside the shoe, it becomes defenseless and loses its natural immunity.
Nail fungus and vascular pathology
For onychomycosis ( fungal infection) indicates damage to the cuticle, changes in color, structure and thickness of the nail. The fungus can be on the foot, but the spores can easily spread under the nail, causing disease. The spores can spread very quickly and often with this pathology most of the toenails and fingernails are affected. This is a disease with characteristic clinical picture, but the final diagnosis is made by microscopy of the nail plates, which are taken for analysis. Onychomycosis can be treated for quite a long time - from several months to six months.
Vascular pathology also affects the structure of nails and changes in their color. When the passage of blood through the vessels is disrupted, the trophism of the tissues of the distal extremities worsens significantly. Trophic disorders lead to the gradual death of nail tissue, so it is important to carry out diagnosis and examination by a specialized doctor - a vascular surgeon - as early as possible. Possibly it will be appointed surgical treatment, but at the same time it is necessary to weed out such diagnoses as diabetes, vein thrombosis and other vascular diseases.
Characteristic symptoms of onycholysis
Yellowing of the nail Peeling of the nail is the main symptom, so it is not difficult to recognize. If in a healthy state it was pale pink, then in the initial stages of onycholysis the color becomes yellow or dirty gray.
If your toenail falls off due to a fungus, initial stage itching, redness and separation of the nails occurs. Then there is a gradual detachment of the nail plate. It becomes noticeable that an empty space has formed under the nail, and it is no longer fused to the skin. Eventually the nail falls off completely or partially.
It is advisable to consult a doctor at the first signs of detachment; if the cause of the pathology was a fungus or an infection, he will prescribe appropriate treatment. Timely initiation of therapy can save healthy areas from infection and at the same time cure already infected ones.
Treatment for a bruised nail at home
What should you do to save a peeling nail and avoid infection and inflammation after a finger injury? In addition, it is very important to prevent this condition on healthy phalanges.
If a nail bruise occurs, it is first of all important to eliminate complications such as a broken finger, cracks and similar serious injuries. If you have any suspicions, you should immediately go to the emergency room and take a photo. In uncomplicated cases, the nail can be treated at home.
If a bruise occurs, the nail may not come off immediately, but may take several weeks or even a month. A strong blow damages the small vessels that feed the nail, causing it to slowly peel off from the bed. In this case, “Diclofenac gel” helps well; it is intended for external use and has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and disinfecting properties. To reduce the risk of nail infection, it should be treated with gel for 1-1.5 weeks. In the first few days of treatment, blood clots may accumulate under the nail, and there may also be noticeable pain.
To speed up regeneration processes and improve metabolism in soft tissues, use Solcoseryl ointment. It can be used on open wounds if the nail has fallen off immediately after injury. In this case, it must be treated and fixed with an elastic bandage. The total treatment time takes from one to one and a half months. During this time, wound healing occurs, if any, tissue regeneration and hematoma resorption. Over time, the nail plate restores its structure, and the nail grows back. After an injury, in most cases he is for a long time takes on a deformed shape.
Treatment for nail fungus
Antifungal drugs A damp environment, constrictive shoes and lack of proper hygiene lead to fungal infection. The manifestation of the disease is as follows: fungal spores affect the skin of the legs, feet, interdigital spaces and nails. Itching, discomfort and severe peeling.
The fungus is characterized by:
- settle and form a lesion in the nail area on thumb feet and little toe;
- over time, the nail becomes uneven, turns yellow and loosens;
- the fungus literally “eats” skin and nail cells, leaving behind peeling in the form of white flakes;
- it is able to penetrate into the deep layers of tissue, and in severe cases, if you do not consult a doctor in time, treatment will be lengthy and expensive.
Nail loss is most likely if the lesion extends from the socket. It comes off gradually, in small areas, so it is almost impossible to prevent complete loss of the nail plate. To avoid relapse nail shape fungus is treated for at least three months and the first principle of treatment is to take antifungal drugs in the form of tablets.
The substances contained in them accumulate in tissue cells and in nails, poisoning the environment that feeds the fungus. The second principle is the local application of creams, ointments or varnishes that have a powerful antifungal effect. What to do to avoid re-infection? Shoes that were used before treatment must either be disposed of or treated with special disinfecting solutions.
Peeling toenails do not look very attractive, however, this is not the biggest problem, since in addition to the unaesthetic appearance, this phenomenon risks turning into quite serious consequences for a person.
What to do if your big toenail comes off? And why is this happening?
Why does the nail move away from the nail bed?
If a toenail peels off, the cause may be either an infection or various injuries.
Sometimes peeling of the nail plate is natural reaction for damage to the nail if a person accidentally and strongly hits his finger.
However, the nail comes off not only due to severe bruises, but also for one of the following reasons:
- Due to wearing uncomfortable shoes. As a result, constant friction of the nail occurs. It is not possible to notice this immediately, but when the problem is discovered, the nail has already begun to come off.
- Due to frequent contact with various chemicals. For example, nails sometimes fall off for those people who work in car washes, because there the person constantly interacts with chemicals that harm the body. In general, such a reaction is also considered normal and natural.
- The result is a slight blow, when the person does not feel acute pain. Despite such seemingly trivial damage, the toenail still begins to peel off. Moreover, if it falls off after an impact, it is necessary to short term treat the skin in this area to prevent infection.
- Application of the most common household chemicals also entails consequences in the form of peeling of the nail.
In addition to injuries, one cannot help but mention illnesses.
- One of the most common is considered fungal infection(onychomycosis), which is very easy to recognize. It is characterized by such signs as an unpleasant odor, yellowed nails, and severe peeling of the skin around them. Ultimately, nail fungus leads to complete destruction of the nail plate, so it is important to start fighting it already at the earliest early stages. In addition, do not forget that the fungus is contagious, and it is for this reason that it is necessary to thoroughly disinfect your shoes. It is also mandatory to visit a dermatologist if you suspect the presence of a fungus.
- It is possible that detachment occurs due to the intake of certain medicines or due to allergies. In both cases, it will probably not be possible to detect any other external signs, except for peeling of the nail, and therefore it will not be difficult to distinguish an allergy from a fungal infection.
- With long-term use of antibiotics (especially those classified as fluoroquinols and tetracyclines), there is also a possibility of this problem. However, as soon as the course is completed, the unpleasant consequences will disappear almost immediately, the nails will no longer move away from the nail bed on the foot.
- As for allergies, they arise either as a result of the use of low-quality cosmetics, or independently. Women often encounter this problem, because they like to perform foot treatments in beauty salons and use shellac varnish.
Prevention measures
- To avoid falling victim to the aforementioned onychomycosis and losing your toenails, wear only comfortable shoes, high quality.
- Never wear someone else's slippers or sandals, because the other person may have a fungus.
- In addition, we must not forget about precautions when visiting such public places, like a swimming pool, sauna, bathhouse - be sure to wear slippers (preferably rubber ones), and when you return home, treat your feet with a special spray.
- Using an antifungal spray will not do any harm.
Treatment of nails with medications and folk remedies
When a fungal disease is at an early stage and only a few nails are affected, it is recommended to use suitable remedies as soon as possible.
There are antifungal ointments, varnishes, and even drops. The most effective drugs are Cyclopiroxolamine and Batrafen, as well as Loceryl.
The first two drugs are medicinal varnishes. They are used according to a certain scheme in monthly courses. During the first month, the product is applied to the nails once every two days, and during the second month - twice a week. During the third month and beyond, the varnish is used once a week, exactly until the toenail is completely restored. It is allowed to cover the nails with regular varnishes.
Loceryl is a medicinal solution. It must be applied to affected nails twice every 7 days. The duration of the treatment course is from six months to one year.
In addition to varnishes, there are also peel-off patches. This remedy is used when the nail can no longer be saved. With its help it happens painless removal peeling nail plate.
If your big toenail is peeling off, you can also try folk remedies.
- For example, at home you can prepare a foot bath with a soda solution. Such baths must be used every day, and they are prepared simply: two liters warm water a tablespoon of soda is dissolved, then the feet are steamed in the finished bath. Upon completion of the procedure, the feet should be wiped and lubricated with celandine ointment. Next, the feet are bandaged and warm socks are put on top. You only need to walk in socks for half an hour. After the problem area has softened, try to carefully cut off the affected tissue, as this will make it easier for healthy tissue to grow back.
- Apply small pieces to affected nails kombucha. Healing compress lasts the whole night, and in the morning the soft nail should be carefully cut off. Treatment with kombucha continues until the nails are restored.
- In addition to all of the above, they also use vinegar, salicylic ointment, coffee brew, garlic gruel and mint with salt. Lotions made from birch leaves on the nails will also help; a decoction of milkweed can be effective.
Beautiful hands are famous not only for their delicate skin, but also for their perfect, well-groomed nails. Carelessness or any disturbances in the body can lead to a nail or several nails looking ugly.
The most common nail problem that a person encounters is usually mechanical damage, bruise or injury. As a result of violations of the base, the fingernail peels off. Of course, the hands are used to the maximum, and, accordingly, are also at risk of injury. It doesn’t take much effort to understand the mechanism of action of this process.
For example, a person pinches a finger in a doorway and the nail is damaged. With strong compression, the vessels rupture and blood flows out from them under the nail until the pressure of the hematoma equals the pressure inside the vessel. During this period, the finger and nail turn red and feel strong pain due to compressed nerve endings.
After this, the blood cells undergo changes, which leads to the color of the hematoma changing to blue, green, yellow. But since the hematoma has occupied the space under the nail, there is nothing for it to hold on to and it peels off.
By understanding the process that causes your fingernail to peel off, you can take action right away. After a blow or bruise, you should immediately place your finger in something cold (water, ice) to narrow the blood vessels and reduce blood flow. After this, a pressure bandage should be applied. By observing these simple conditions, the nail can be saved.
If the injury is severe, it is better to consult a specialist. There is a possibility of a fracture of the phalanx of the finger. The doctor will take an x-ray and determine the presence or absence of it. In case of an open injury, it is necessary to maintain surgical cleanliness of the wound. Here on help will come Vishnevsky ointment or levomikol.
Bites from insects, fish and other inhabitants of the planet can damage a finger or nail. If this did happen, then urgently you need to see a doctor. Poisonous inhabitants can cause severe harm health, and a damaged nail plate may not grow back at all.
Seasonal hypo- and avitaminosis A, E, C lead to decreased immunity and deterioration of not only the skin, but also the nails. Advanced cases may result in the fingernail peeling off. When the body recovers, good and even nails may not appear.
What to do if your fingernail comes off, and this is accompanied by yellowing of the edges of the nail plate, their thickening, delamination and unpleasant smell? These signs indicate the presence fungal disease. You can most often catch it in places where the environment is humid and warm. His favorite places are public baths, saunas, and swimming pools. Neglecting personal hygiene can lead to such consequences.
Fungal diseases are difficult to eradicate. It is best to consult a doctor, do a scraping, determine the type of fungus and follow the recommendations. It is best to try to prevent the occurrence of this disease. You must take your own clean shoes to public baths and swimming pools, and do not touch other people’s things with your hands; files and nail scissors must be individual. After trips to public transport You need to wash your hands thoroughly.
IN Lately Parents take their children on vacation to hot countries. It is difficult for a child to comply with all the parental “don’ts.” This led to the Coxsackie virus spreading from Turkey to Russia. Children from one year to fifteen years are susceptible to it. Appears first heat and rash, and after the symptoms have passed, parents forget about this incident. And only after two months, the nails begin to peel off on all fingers and toes.
Parents see that a fingernail is peeling off, but they don’t know what to do. More prudent people pay attention to the absence of injuries and associate this unpleasant moment with a previous Coxsackie disease. Otherwise known as foot, hand and mouth disease.
These cases are becoming very frequent. It is necessary to closely monitor children and ensure that they comply with all hygiene rules. Nothing can be done; the nail plates will come off and new ones will grow in their place. Just to avoid deformation, you need to monitor the strengthening of the immune system. Children need vitamin complexes and proper nutrition.
An extremely unpleasant problem when a fingernail comes off. The person himself is largely to blame. Carelessness and neglect can lead to trouble. You need to be more attentive and take care of yourself.
A person may experience various discomforts or pain when walking. This may be due to uncomfortable or small shoes, scuffs on the feet, or if the feet or toes are injured. If in ordinary cases healing occurs quickly and without consequences, then the toenail comes off, as a rule, due to illness or severe bruises and injuries.
Causes of peeling nails
To understand this problem, it is necessary to identify the reason why your toenails come off.
Main reasons:
- bruises or injuries to the legs and fingers;
- uncomfortable, tight shoes;
- diseases of the feet and skin (fungus, psoriasis, dermatitis);
- impaired blood flow in the extremities;
- contact with various chemicals.
Predisposing reasons for toenail peeling can be: stress, decreased immunity, vitamin deficiency, and poor hygiene.
Most often, toenails peel off due to bruises, injuries and foot fungus. To understand how to act in a particular case, you need to figure out why your toenail comes off due to a bruise or fungus.
Peeling of the plate due to injury
Bruises and injuries come in different forms; most often, your leg or fingers can be injured on furniture in the house. The most vulnerable places are the little fingers and big toes.
A person may be concerned about:
- aching pain in the finger;
- redness around the injured area;
- pain when walking;
- bruising around the nail;
- edema.
The big toe will take longer to heal than the rest.
Gradually, as the pain subsides, the plate may first turn blue, then turn black, but this does not mean that it will come off. Perhaps a person walks around with a blue finger for some time, and gradually the blueness will subside. If the injury is serious and nail plate got up, then it's already a clear sign that the legs will soon come off. In this case, a person may feel an interfering, foreign body on the finger.
You need to let the nail go away on its own, without tearing it off, so healing will happen faster, otherwise you will have to heal the open wound under the plate, which will take even longer to heal.
If your toenail comes off, you will have to be more careful when walking at first. What to do if your toenail comes off? All further actions to provide therapeutic measures will be as follows:
- treat the nail surface with any antiseptic (if necessary, cover the area around the nail with iodine or brilliant green);
- glue a bactericidal patch (this way the bed of the plate will be protected from rubbing with socks and shoes);
- try to wear shoes less;
- do not squeeze or strain the sore finger;
- if pain is present, take any analgesic;
- be barefoot more (this way the wound will dry out faster and the feeling of discomfort will go away).
Soon, in place of the old plate that came off, a new one will begin to grow, the main thing at this stage is to prevent re-injury of the finger, and also to prevent the nail plate from growing into the skin. To prevent this, you need to lubricate it 2 times a day. nail bed sea buckthorn oil, so the skin will not dry out and the new plate will not grow in.
Help with peeling due to fungus
Foot fungus is an insidious disease that affects people who frequently visit public places - swimming pools, baths, saunas, showers. Despite treating such areas with chlorine solution, the risk of infection is very high. The fungus can also be transmitted by using other people's hygiene items or from sick animals.
It develops slowly and asymptomatically; a person may not even be aware of his illness until he sees characteristic features of this disease.
- the presence of hangnails in the finger area;
- constant peeling of the skin of the fingers;
- separation of the nail plates;
- pale skin;
- formation of crumbs on the nail surface;
- formation of white spots under the nail;
- suppuration under the nail plate (in severe forms);
- unpleasant smell.
Heavy and running form fungus can cause your toenail to peel off. In such a situation, it is better to consult a doctor for help, since a severe course of the disease can lead to numerous complications. Perhaps the doctor will advise you to take tests to identify the cause of the fungal disease and prescribe antibacterial drugs to prevent infection of other areas of the skin.
With a fungal disease, the plate may begin to fall off in parts, starting from the top edge and gradually approaching the root of the nail surface. In such a situation, you can only wait until the entire nail falls off, and only then begin treating the fingers.
If the nail plate falls out, the use of a patch is unacceptable, since the closed surface of the nail bed can lead to further proliferation of harmful bacteria and the treatment process will be delayed.
Treatment of nail fungus
It is necessary to treat a finger for fungus before a new nail plate appears, otherwise the fresh nail will also be infected.
In general, the complex of treatment measures will include the following:
- reception vitamin complexes containing calcium, iron and other elements;
- the use of various antibacterial and antifungal ointments;
- taking baths with a decoction of medicinal herbs and antiseptics;
- use of lotions with antiseptics.
It is also necessary to adhere to the following measures to prevent relapse of the disease:
- change socks more often;
- maintain hygiene;
- take care of your feet;
- try not to injure your legs;
- do not keep your feet wet.
In order to properly and effectively treat a sore finger where a toenail has peeled off, it is important to visit a doctor. Only a doctor can determine the cause of peeling nails and prescribe appropriate treatment.