How to handle a broken or detached nail

Broken nails can be extremely painful. The reason for a nail to separate from the bed can include:

• Fungal nail infections

• Injuries

• Skin conditions such as psoriasis

• Some medications such as antimalarial medicine

• Chemotherapy

• Some chemicals such as acetone polish remover

A point to note is that after a nail has been separated from the nail bed, it will not reattach itself. A new nail will grow back in place.

New nails take about 6 months for fingernails to fully grow back and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back.

There are several ways in which you can treat this at home which will help relieve pain, prevent infection, and promote healing.

A doctor may suggest removing the entire nail and keeping the area dry to prevent infection while you wait for a new nail to grow.

If there is an infection present, then you should seek medical advice and have this treated rather than use a home remedy.

To treat at home

• File any sharp edges. Trim the nail if you can. This will prevent the nail catching and tearing further.

• Trim the detached part if the tear is large.

• Cover the remaining nail with tape or an adhesive bandage and keep it in place until the nail has grown out.

• If the nail is partially attached use clean scissors to remove the detached part.

• Soak the finger or toe of the detached nail in cold water for 20 minutes after trimming.

• Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly, cover it, and keep a non-stick bandage on the finger or toe.

How to prevent infection

Soak the foot or finger in a solution of 1 teaspoon salt dissolved in 4 cups of warm water for 20 minutes. Do this 2 – 3 times each day for 3 days. Reapply petroleum jelly and cover it again with a clean bandage.

Final thoughts

Keep the nail bed clean and dry, covered with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage until the bed becomes firmer or the nail grows back. Should the bandage get wet, replace it with a dry one.

See the doctor if there are any signs of infection such as heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling and pus.

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