how to repair broken big toenail

Full Answer

How do you help heal a broken toe?

Treatment

• Medications. You can usually manage pain from a broken toe with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).
• Reduction. ...
• Immobilization. ...
• Surgery. ...

Will your toenail grow back if it is ripped off?

It takes approximately 6 months for a fingernail and 12 months for a toenail to grow back completely after being detached from the nail bed. A ripped nail which is not detached from the nail bed will also not regrow on the region where the nail is ripped.

How to repair damaged nails at home?

Soak your nails once a week.

• Warm your milk in a bowl, using enough milk to submerge your nails. You can microwave your milk or warm it over the stove. ...
• Soak your nails for five minutes. Then rinse them and dry them thoroughly.
• Moisturize your nails when you're done.

What to do when your toenail is falling off?

• Use pain medication as needed. After cleaning your toe, an antibiotic ointment or cream can be applied to help prevent infection. ...
• Bandage the toe. If the toenail has not completely fallen off, you can bandage the nail to your toe until it falls off. ...
• Trim the existing nail. ...
• Soak your feet in cold water. ...
• Elevate your foot as much as possible. ...

How do you fix a broken toe nail?

Soak the nail in warm water so it softens. Squeeze a small amount of nail glue onto the area where the nail broke off, and spread the glue out so that it forms a thin layer. Press the broken piece of nail gently but firmly onto the area where it broke off for 30 to 60 seconds until it stays attached.

Should you remove a broken toenail?

If you have a damaged toenail, you might be tempted to remove it yourself. But while damaged toenails sometimes fall off on their own, it's not a good idea to force that process. Removing a damaged toenail yourself could lead to serious complications that end up making matters worse.

What do you do if your big toenail breaks off?

Clean your toe, making sure you remove any debris, and apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover the area where your toenail fell off with a bandage. Seek immediate treatment if your entire toenail falls off or the area around your toenail won't stop bleeding.

Can a broken toenail heal itself?

If the toenail is broken due to trauma and there are no other underlying issues, the toenail will typically heal itself and begin the regrowth process within about 6 to 8 weeks (the entire regrowth process can take 3 to 18 months for toenails).

How long does it take for a big toenail to grow back?

If completely removed, fingernails may take 6 months to grow back. Toenails may take 12 to 18 months to grow back. Injured nails may look different when they grow back. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.

How can I hide my missing toenail?

2:263:55OMG My Toenail Fell off on Vacation Heres my quick fix - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I have to make sure my toes look nice I have that glued on and I was showing you the dollarMoreSo I have to make sure my toes look nice I have that glued on and I was showing you the dollar polish that I bought at Kmart - it's just a neutral color and I paint my toenail.

Can you put a fake nail on a missing toenail?

Can You Apply Acrylic Toenails If Your Nail Is Completely Gone? Unfortunately, no. You need some natural nail for the acrylic to adhere to. If you have a partial toenail you can apply a nail tip to your remaining natural nail and then apply acrylic to that.

How can I regrow my toenails?

Both toenails and fingernails grow slowly, with toenails taking longer to regrow. On average, it can take up to 18 months for a toenail to completely regrow, and about 4 to 6 months for a fingernail to grow back....How long does it take for a toenail to grow back?ScenarioRegrowth timeline (for fingernails and toenails)after psoriasis6 months or longer3 more rows

Can a new toenail grow under an old one?

After a nail separates from the nail bed, it will not reattach, so don't try. In its place, a new nail will have to grow back. Toenail growth can be slow; toenails can take up to 18 months (1.5 years) to grow back.

How do you treat a half ripped toenail?

Trim off the detached part of a large tear, or leave the nail alone.Cover the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage until the nail has grown out enough to protect the finger or toe.If you trim off the detached nail, you will have less worry about the nail catching and tearing.More items...

Should I cover an exposed nail bed?

Protect any exposed part of the nail bed for 7 to 10 days until this skin hardens and isn't sensitive anymore. Coat the area with antibiotic ointment and top with a nonstick bandage. Change the bandage every day and whenever it gets wet.

What to do if your toenail breaks off?

If the toenail breaks off completely, the bed must be kept clean. A little petroleum jelly can be put on it under a fresh dressing. Trying to glue a nail, real or artificial, to a bare nail bed could just lead to an infection.

What is the best way to care for toenails?

Toenails, however, should be flat tops. Here are the six major components of toenail care. The clippers Use something specifically meant for toenails such as manicure scissors or preferably nail clippers. To keep fungus from spreading, use fingernail clippers for fingers and toenail clippers for toes.

How to keep toenails in shape?

It will also make a clean shape. Filing your toenails with care will assist you in keeping your toenails in shape.

How long does it take for a toenail to grow back?

Toenails grow back quite slowly. It can take up to eighteen months for a toenail to grow back completely. If a torn toenail results in a damaged nail bed, you should keep it bandaged for seven to ten days until the bed hardens up.

Why is my toenail cracking?

Now, for a cracked toenail it could be they’ve been kept either too wet or too dry. They could have been exposed to harsh chemicals. Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, fungal infections, poor circulation, thyroid issues and sometimes even side effects of some medications may cause toenails to break.

How to keep a split nail from getting worse?

You can keep the split from getting worse by effectively decoupaging the afflicted nail with paper from a tea bag. Apply a clear base coat to your nail and wait a few seconds for it to get tacky. Apply the paper and smooth it out so that there are no wrinkles or bubbles.

What to do if your nail is swollen?

If there is swelling, pain, pus, infection or discoloration you must see a doctor immediately .

How to fix a cracked toenail?

1. Use a Clear Tape. This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to fix cracked nail. However, like in the case of most solutions available, keep in mind that this is only temporary. Start by trimming a portion of the clear tape, just small enough to make sure that it will cover the affected toenail. Use it to cover the affected area of the nail. ...

How to get cracks out of toenails?

First, you should clean your foot and wash it, especially the affected toenail. Next, apply Vicks in your finger and rub it over the nail with crack. Wear socks overnight and in the morning, wash your nail with warm water. Do it repeatedly until crack becomes less visible.

How to get nail glue to stick?

Before the application of nail glue, make sure to wash and dry your toenails first. This will improve the likelihood that the glue will cling. If there is dirt on the surface, it may not stick well. You can also soak it in warm water first. Next, dot a small amount of nail glue on the part of the nail that is torn .

How to make a nail polish base coat?

Start by cleaning your toenail and cutting a portion of a clean teabag based on the shape of the affected toenail. Next, apply a layer of clear polish on the nail, which will serve as the base coat. Place the teabag you have earlier cut and press it firmly.

How to fix a broken nail with nail tape?

Use it to cover the affected area of the nail. Before pressing the tape firmly, make sure to align the broken parts of the nail so that they will cling to each other. Trim the excess part of the tape. 2. Use a Nail Glue. Before the application of nail glue, make sure to wash and dry your toenails first.

What to do if you have cracked nails?

If you have cracked nails, this is an indication of a bad state of health. Therefore, you should consider improving your diet as the primary solution. Your diet should include loads of fruits and vegetables to have beneficial vitamins and minerals.

Is keratin bad for toenails?

With this, it will help if you can keep your nails moisturized. Excessive moisture, on the other hand, can also be bad for your toenail.

How to fix a broken fingernail?

In some cases, you can use fingernail glue (typically used to attach fake nails or tips) to reattach the broken part of your nail. Wash your nail with clean, warm water and dry with a clean towel. Soak the nail in warm water so it softens.

How to keep your nails from breaking?

How to prevent nails from breaking. Here are some tips to keep your nails from breaking or getting injured: Wash your hands frequently and keep them dry. Don’t bite or pick at your nails or rip off hangnails. Don’t stay in the bath or shower for a long period of time. Trim or clip your nails regularly to keep them short.

Why do my nails stop growing?

This is known as a subungual hematoma. Nail bed injuries are far more serious than typically fingernail injuries. This is because they can harm the nail matrix from which nails grow. If not treated properly, the nail may stop growing back from the nail matrix.

How to fix a broken nail with a coffee filter?

Coffee filter material also works! Put a thin layer of nail glue or super glue across the broken part of your nail. Using tweezers, lay the tea bag material down flat on your nail and fold part of it under your nail tip. Put another layer of glue over the tea bag material.

How to get a chipped nail back?

If the nail is chipped below the tip: trim the nail down and apply a small piece of tape, glue, or tea bag material on top of the chip to help it grow back evenly.

What happens when you break your finger?

A broken fingernail happens when part of your nail gets torn, chipped, split, smashed, or broken off. This can result from your nail getting caught on something or being involved in some kind of finger trauma. Serious breaks can also injure the nail bed and nail matrix, where the cells that make up the nail are produced.

Why do my nails break?

Here are some common causes of nail breaks: constant exposure to moisture, which can soften and weaken the nail. nail weakness or brittleness from age or malnutrition. injury or weakness from fake nail glue. habitual biting or picking at nail chips or tears. getting your finger crushed in a door.

How to take off a toenail?

1. Deal with the nail that’s left. Some nail avulsions are minor, leaving most of the nail attached, whereas others can take off an entire toenail. After your injury, properly care for the portion of the nail that’s left over to get your healing off on the right foot. Whatever is still attached, leave it attached.

How to clean a toe?

3. Clean the wound thoroughly. Wash your toe with warm soapy water and a washcloth. If the wounded area is dirty, gently scrub the dirt away. Scrub off any dried blood or debris from the injury. Don't be afraid to ask a friend or loved one to help you. Clean the area as well as possible to prevent infection.

How to wrap a toe with gauze?

Purchase sterile gauze pads or non-stick dressing, and medical tape. Apply a gauze pad or bandage over the injured toe (cut the pad to fit, if needed), then wrap around the toe with gauze several times to keep the bandage in place.

Why is my toenail turning black and blue?

Sometimes, a crushing injury to a toenail (like having a heavy object dropped on your toenail) can cause a subungual hematoma – bleeding underneath the nail. This creates a little pocket of blood under the nail, which can be uncomfortable because of the pressure.

How to keep a bandage on your toe?

Tape over the top twice in crisscross fashion (like an X). Use two pieces of medical tape to adhere the bandage to your toe up by your foot, to help keep it in place.

What does it mean when your toe is infected?

No matter how well you take care of your injury, you might still get an infection. If your toe is infected you might see red streaks running up your toe, foot, or leg. You might get a fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher. Pus – thick, white or colored drainage from the injury – is another sign of infection.

How long does it take for a foot to stop bleeding?

Keep pressure on the area for 10 minutes, or until the bleeding stops. It will also help to slow bleeding if you lie down and elevate your foot by propping it up on pillows. If the bleeding hasn’t slowed after 15 minutes of pressure, seek medical care. ...

How to care for a broken big toe?

Though any break is painful, a broken big toe needs immediate attention due to its importance in your mobility. Seek professional medical care immediately. In the meantime: Rest your foot and avoid putting any weight on the toe. Ice the area to reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain.

What to do if you break your big toe?

If you think you’ve broken your big toe, seek medical attention right away . The toe needs to be set correctly so that it can heal properly.

What to do if your toe breaks?

Broken Toe Treatment. One response to a minor toe break is to create a “buddy toe” — immobilizing the toe by taping it to the adjoining toe. If the fracture is more severe, your healthcare provider will likely prescribe a cast or a hard-bottomed boot.

How long does it take for a broken big toe to heal?

Broken bones will usually recover in close to six weeks, though recovery times vary. Follow your provider’s advice to be sure that your broken big toe heals as quickly as possible. If your toe bone is severely broken or shattered, surgery may be required.

Can you go to an emergency room for a broken big toe?

You may consider visiting an emergency room for your broken big toe. However, there are other less expensive and faster treatment options. At FastMed Urgent Care, no appointments are required, and our goal is to have you seen within an hour. FastMed offices are equipped to deal with injuries that need immediate care, like a broken big toe.

What to do if your toenail doesn't respond to the above listed home remedies?

If your toenail doesn’t respond to the above listed home remedies, you may want to talk to a pharmacist or a podiatrist (feet and leg s doctor) about over the counter or prescription treatments. Over the counter treatments are usually sold in the form of creams such as antifungal lacquer.

Why does my toenail crack?

Trauma: Trauma (e.g. when a heavy object lands on your toenail; with repeated rubbing on the shoes when playing a game like tennis or basketball, dancing, etc.) is the most obvious external cause of cracked toenail be it horizontally, or vertically, or all the way down the middle.

Why are my toenails yellow?

Use of certain colored nail polishes and conditions such as diabetes mellitus and lymphedema (chronic swelling of the legs due to buildup of fluids) may also cause yellow cracked toenails. As the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons says, the problem will go away as the nails continue growing.

How to fix toenail fungus?

Here’s how to use tea tree oil to fix cracked toenails: Pour a few drops of tea tree oil onto a cotton ball. Optionally, add a few drops of lavender oil. Dab the oil on the cracked nails.

How to fix cracked nails with lavender oil?

Optionally, add a few drops of lavender oil. Dab the oil on the cracked nails. Put on a clean pair of socks to protect your beddings and then sleep with the oil on overnight. Repeat this home treatment once every day until you get the desired results.

Why do you need to moisturize your toenail?

If you are constantly exposed to environmental and occupational factors such as water, chemicals etc. frequently applying a moisturizer can help to not only fix a broken toenail but also prevent future incidents of the problem. Moisturizing should thus be an essential component of your cracked toenail care.

How to fix yellow toenails?

How to fix yellow broken toenails with Vicks. Wash your feet with warm water and soap. Dry the feet completely. Dab a small amount of the vapor rub with the help of a cotton ball. Repeat the treatment once daily for the best results.