Can you repair a damaged nail matrix?

Many injuries to your nail bed can be fully repaired. For example, your nail should return to normal after a subungual hematoma is drained. However, some severe injuries can lead to a deformed nail.

Will the nail grow back if the matrix is damaged?

In most cases, the nail will grow back from the area under the cuticle (the matrix). A fingernail takes about 4 to 6 months to grow back. A toenail takes about 12 months to grow back. If the nail bed or matrix was damaged, the nail may grow back with a rough or abnormal shape.

How do you treat nail fungus DSO?

The use of tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, antibacterial mouthwash and snakeroot have also been touted by some a natural nail fungus medicine when applied daily for several weeks. Your doctor can also prescribe an anti-fungal topical drug that goes on like nail polish or antifungal pills to treat your onychomycosis.

What is the best treatment for onychomycosis?

Systemic antifungal agents are the most effective treatment for onychomycosis, but cure rates are much less than 100%. Terbinafine (Lamisil) is the most effective systemic agent available.

Can you permanently damage your nail matrix?

Although it is not common, some disorders — such as scleroderma or poor circulation — are capable of permanently damaging the nail matrix. When this occurs, a scarred or abnormal nail plate can develop, or the nail can be lost permanently.

Can your nail bed grow back?

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 do you do if your nail is detaching from the nail bed?

How is it treated?

1. File any sharp edges smooth, or trim the nail.
2. Trim off the detached part of a large tear, or leave the nail alone.
3. Use scissors to remove the detached part of the nail if the nail is partly attached.
4. Soak your finger or toe in cold water for 20 minutes after trimming the nail.

What happens if your nail matrix is damaged?

Finally, if the distal portion of the matrix is damaged, it affects the lowest part, or bottom of the nail plate. When this happens, it interferes with the attachment of the nail plate to the skin underneath (the nail bed) and can cause separation of the nail plate from the nail bed (onycholysis).

What kills onychomycosis?

The most commonly used oral drugs for treatment of onychomycosis is griseofulvin, terbinafine, itraconazole and ketoconazole. The disadvantages of oral antifungal agents are, they require a longer treatment period and they have more side effects, e.g. terbinafine (Lamisil®).

Does a new nail grow under a damaged nail?

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.

How are nail lacquers used to treat onychomycosis?

Earlier oral antifungal agents were used for treatment of fungal infection in finger and toe nails. The disadvantages of oral antifungal agents are toxicity and longer treatment period. Now medicated nail lacquers have been developed for the treatment of fungal infections i.e. onychomycosis, which has less toxicity and shorter treatment period.

What should I do if I have proximal superficial onychomycosis?

In proximal superficial onychomycosis, the healthy nail plate should be gently pared away with a number-15 scalpel blade. A sharp curette can be used to remove material from the infected proximal nail bed as close to the lunula as possible.

How is fungus treated in distal subungual onychomycosis?

In distal subungual onychomycosis, the concentration of fungus is greatest in the nail bed. Therefore, the nail should be clipped short, and a small curette or number-15 scalpel blade should be used to obtain a specimen from the nail bed as close to the cuticle as possible.

What kind of scalpel is used for onychomycosis?

In white superficial onychomycosis,a num- ber-15 blade or curette can be used to scrape the nail surface or the white area, and remove infected debris. In proximal superficial onychomycosis, the healthy nail plate should be gently pared away with a number-15 scalpel blade.