part of my toenail at the base of the nail come off!..help! - Nail Problems Message Board

blonde2238 · 01-05-2006, 08:43 PM

What should I do? I can't take off work to go to the pediatrist for a few weeks and I am going to be training at work, so I really need to find an easier solution. I want to make sure the nail grows back though! What can I do and what could cause this? I am sure I made it worse by pulling part of the nail off, but I didn't know what else to do....

Marti · 01-06-2006, 01:45 PM

Unless the nail was ripped out by the root, it will grow back, although it can take 6 months or more to completely replace itself depending on your genetics. DO NOT pick at it. Picking will only make it worse!

Usually, this only happens after the nail experiences some sort of trauma such as dropping something heavy on it, wearing shoes that are too tight on the toes, etc. Keep the area clean and dry until it heals. You may want to apply some anti-bacterial ointment to it until it heals and you can see there is a light covering of nail plate cells over the exposed nail bed.