How do you treat a lifted toenail?

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. (If any part gets stuck, soak it under warm running water until it slips off.)

Why is my big toenail separating from the nail bed?

Separation of the nail from the nail bed, medically known as onycholysis, is a common condition that results in a white appearance of the affected part of the nail. Fingernail or toenail separation can have numerous causes but is typically related to trauma or a fungal infection of the nails.

Can onycholysis be treated?

Treatment for onycholysis varies and depends on its cause. Eliminating the predisposing cause of the onycholysis is the best treatment. Onycholysis related to psoriasis or eczema may respond to a midstrength topical corticosteroid.

Why is my nail separating from the nail bed?

Sometimes detached nails are associated with injury or infection. In other cases nail separation is a reaction to a particular drug or consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives. Thyroid disease and psoriasis — a condition characterized by scaly patches on the skin — also can cause nail separation.

How do you fix nail lifting from nail bed?

Thoroughly clip away as much of the detached nail as possible, repeating this at weekly intervals. Gently brush the nail and surrounding tissue with plain soap and water once daily, rinsing carefully, and then drying the area with a hair dryer.

What does onycholysis look like?

Nail lifting (onycholysis) is the spontaneous separation (detachment) of the fingernail or toenail from the nail bed at the end of the nail (distal) and/or on the sides of the nail (lateral). The appearance of nail lifting may resemble a half-moon, or the free edge of the nail may rise up like a hood.

Will a nail reattach to the nail bed?

After a nail separates from the nail bed for whatever reason, it will not reattach. A new nail will have to grow back in its place. Nails grow back slowly. It takes about 6 months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back.

What deficiency causes onycholysis?

One can get sunburn under the nails, which causes onycholysis. In rare cases all the nails are affected and then it can be a sign of iron deficiency or thyroid over-activity. No matter what the cause, usually several nails are affected.

How do you treat onycholysis at home?

Applying a mixture of tea tree oil diluted by a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil or coconut oil, may get rid of the fungus. Make sure to keep the nail dry while it heals.