Nail is growing back but not adhered to nail bed - Nail Problems Message Board

Duckling · 12-16-2006, 08:37 AM

It's been a year now since I dropped something heavy on my toe not the nail, but as it grew out, the nail was damaged and I kind of picked it all off (I know, I'm horrible) - A "top layer" came away easily and left sort of hard skin underneath. The nail continues to grow but a bit bobbley and not stuck to nail bed. Will it ever do you think? or are my sandal wearing days over?

Marti · 12-16-2006, 10:01 AM

If it has been a year and the nail is still groing in with horizontal bumps or ridges, then chances are that you damaged the portion of the nail where the nail plate cells are born: the Matrix. If the Matrix sustained enough damage from the injury, it cannot develop good healthy cells, and therefore, the nail plate will constantly show this damage.

You can always opt to have acrylic applied over the nail to make it look better, but nothing will make it adhere to the nail bed again.

Duckling · 12-17-2006, 01:58 PM

Thanks for the reply, bit upset though. At the moment I am able to cut my nail down really short - almost to the white half moon part and it's doesn't hurt. The bumpy bit is better than it was months ago. Do you think it is better to keep the nail this short or to let it grow, given that the free portion is most of the nail now - I expect it would be prone to dirt getting trapped etc(although might look a little less alarming - at least I'd have something to disguise with nail varnish!)

Marti · 12-17-2006, 03:57 PM

You can cut it back as far as you can and then use a file on the surface to try and blend it with the thin underlying nail layer. Just keep it clean and dry and it should be fine. As long as there is some sort of nail plate layer on top of the nail bed, you could have a couple layers of silk wrap applied to the surface to help the appearance.