The nail on my index finger came off. Why do toenails peel off?

The child's body has an excellent ability to signal its problems with external signs. Changes in the skin, problems with hair, nails and teeth are nothing more than an alarming “bell” of a developing disease. No exception is the fairly common situation when a child's nail comes off.

The baby's nails should be light pink, regular, slightly convex in shape, without scars, dents, spots, medium hard, with a tight-fitting cuticle. If any deviations appear, seek the advice of a specialist; do not wait for a critical condition. If the nail plate begins to flake and peel off, first think about the reasons.

Why do my child's nails peel off?

The main reasons why nails in children may peel off:

1. Mechanical damage. The baby was hit, crushed, or someone stepped on his finger, and the nail first changes color and then peels off. Narrow, ill-fitting shoes also lead to this result.
2. Fungal disease. Children love to run barefoot, try on other people's shoes, and when they grow up, they don't always take care of hygiene.
3. Lack of nutrients. A growing organism requires a lot of “building materials”.
4. Allergies or side effects of medications. Household chemicals are children's worst enemy. For example, failure to perceive washing powder can even result in peeling nails.
5. Internal illnesses. Having ruled out previous causes, this one requires special attention and a thorough examination.
6. Accompanying signs of psoriasis and eczema.

What to do if a child’s nail comes off? Sometimes adults get really desperate trying to find the right solution. The main thing in any situation is not to panic and find a good doctor. Nail tissue recovers quickly, especially in children. Parents just need to eliminate the cause of the disease and give the new nails the opportunity to grow and strengthen.

Human nails are a kind of indicator that reflects the state of health. By the appearance of the nail plates, an experienced dermatologist can identify the presence of a number of diseases that are progressing in the body. Unfortunately, people often do not notice dangerous symptoms, so they do not seek medical help. One of the common diseases is emptiness under the nail. In fact, this phenomenon cannot be called a pathology: the problem does not cause pain, so most people simply ignore it, hoping that it will “go away on its own.” However, this is fundamentally the wrong approach, and we will explain why.

The problem when a nail comes off on a hand or toe is referred to by the medical term “onycholysis.” The first sign of pathology is a change in the color of the nail plate, which becomes white, yellowish or bluish. Men usually do not pay attention to this defect; women try to disguise the phenomenon with rich colors of varnish.

However, onycholysis cannot be ignored - in some cases, a discolored nail plate indicates the development of a chronic disease in the body. In particular, disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine, cardiovascular systems, and gastrointestinal tract.

Causes

Considering the above factors, treatment of nail onycholysis begins with identifying the causes. The most common of them include the following:

1. Mechanical damage. A strong blow or pressure can disrupt blood circulation in the fingertips, causing the nail plate to peel off.
2. Aggressive environment. This effect can be caused by the use of low-quality varnishes and detergents that contain active chemical components.
3. By-effect. Sometimes onycholysis can occur due to long-term use of medications.
4. Fungus. If the cause of the disease is a pathogenic microflora, color changes will be noticeable not only on the nail plate, but also on the adjacent tissues.

Solution

If you discover that a void is forming under the nail, you need to make an appointment with a dermatologist. The only exception to this rule is mechanical grass. In this case, you need to wait until the healthy nail grows, periodically trimming the damaged plate. To eliminate the possibility of infection, the injured finger can be protected with a bactericidal adhesive plaster.

If the nail comes off for no apparent reason, consultation with a dermatologist is a prerequisite for therapy.. Self-medication can lead to complications and complete loss of the nail plate. However, therapy will in any case take place at home, so you can consider medications that will help speed up the recovery process:

1. Vishnevsky ointment. A product that is universal in its composition, including birch tar, xeroform, and castor oil. The ointment has a pronounced antiseptic effect and stimulates the process of nail overgrowth.
2. "Clotrimazole". This is an antifungal ointment for external use that is used to treat a peeling toenail. The product is applied twice a day to the damaged plate, the course duration is at least 2 months.
3. "Exoderil". A medicinal solution used in cases where a void has formed due to fungal diseases. The product is applied to problem areas, having previously treated the exfoliated part with a nail file. The duration of treatment is 3–7 months, depending on the complexity of the pathology.

In addition to medications, the treatment of detached nails with folk remedies is widely used.

Traditional medicine recipes

As an alternative to traditional treatment methods, you can try to solve the problem with folk remedies. Recipes usually include natural ingredients that are a priori not capable of causing complications and allergic reactions. Let's look at the most effective formulations.

Baths

Warm cosmetic baths with the addition of various components help to quickly solve the problem of detachment of the nail plate. In particular, the following recipes have worked well:

• Iodine. To prepare the bath you will need ½ cup of vegetable oil heated to room temperature and 3 drops of iodine. The procedures are done daily for 15 minutes. The course is stopped after achieving the expected result. Apple cider vinegar can be used as an alternative to iodine.
• Sea salt. To cure a nail, you need pure sea salt without additives or flavorings. The bath is prepared according to the following recipe: a tablespoon of salt per two glasses of warm water. The duration of the procedure is 10 minutes, sessions are repeated every week until complete recovery.
• Beeswax. Due to their unique effects on the human body, beekeeping products are often included in folk recipes. To prepare a bath for treating nails, you will need a shallow container into which melted beeswax is poured. Session duration: 15–20 minutes, frequency: 2 times a week. If you do not interrupt treatment, a positive result will be noticeable after 30 days.
• Oil and honey. This bath is prepared from honey and olive oil. The starting components are taken in equal proportions (2 tablespoons), mixed, and heated in a water bath. Then the composition is poured into a small container and the fingers are immersed in the liquid for 10–15 minutes. After completing the procedure, hands must be thoroughly washed and treated with healing cream.

Decoctions and tinctures

Such products are prepared from medicinal herbs and plants that have a pronounced healing effect. You can try the following recipes:

It should be noted that traditional medicine recipes are not a complete alternative to traditional treatment. This is an effective supplement that helps speed up the healing process. Considering that nail detachment can occur for various reasons, only a specialist can select the correct treatment regimen.

Detachment of nails is an unpleasant phenomenon that occurs for several reasons. Most often, the nail moves away from the nail bed on the foot due to a fungal infection. Nail fungus is accompanied by a number of distinctive features and harms not only the nail plates, but also the entire body. Pathology must be treated at the first manifestations in order to avoid.

Causes of pathology

According to statistics, 40% of people worldwide suffer from nail fungus.

The main reason why nail plates peel off is fungus. If the nails are affected, they become deformed and peel off. You can become infected with pathogenic bacteria in a swimming pool, in a hospital, in a hotel, using the shoes of an infected person. In addition, nail loss occurs due to the following factors:

• Injuries. The nail pulls away from the skin on the hands or feet after an injury. In this case, a hematoma forms under the nail plate. The plate does not lag immediately, but after some time.
• Wearing uncomfortable shoes. As a result of constant pressure, deformation of the nail plate and its subsequent detachment occurs. Most often, this causes detachment of the nail on the big toe.
• Use of antibiotics or hormonal drugs. Any medicine has a number of side effects. Each person's reaction to medications is individual. Drugs that have a serious effect on the entire body can cause problems with the nail plates.
• Skin diseases. The nail plates are affected along with the skin in psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
• Avitaminosis. Nail plates lag behind if the body lacks vitamins and microelements.
• Allergy. Often this problem develops due to the use of low-quality cosmetics and detergents, as well as if a person has an individual intolerance to certain chemicals.

Features of pathology in a child

In infancy, pathology occurs due to a poorly formed immune system.

All factors that cause nail plates to come off apply equally to children, but due to the characteristics of the child’s body, they have a stronger effect. A child’s immune system is weaker and more vulnerable than an adult’s, which is why fungus is common in children. Moreover, little fidgets, exploring the world around them, sometimes neglect the rules of hygiene.

In a child, all systems are just being formed, and any disruptions in metabolism or gastrointestinal diseases make the body a target for fungus. A lack of vitamins in a growing body, a reaction to detergents not intended for children, helps the fungus settle on the baby’s fingers. Toenails and fingernails often come off due to injury. Children's nails are thin and weak. Any microtrauma is enough to cause a scratch, delamination, or deformation of the nail plate. Sometimes the nail comes off the finger due to damage from a zipper on clothing or part of a toy.

Attempts to disguise the problem with closed shoes or nail polish aggravate the pathology and lead to nail loss.

Onychomycosis as one of the causes

If the nail on several or one finger turns yellow, becomes thicker on the side, and over time completely, and eventually tears for no apparent reason, such as an injury or tight shoes, they speak of a fungal infection - onychomycosis. You can become infected with the disease in crowded places, through handrails in public transport, in a swimming pool, and even through dust settling on your exposed legs in the summer. But exposure to fungal spores on the skin is not enough to cause the disease to progress. The fungus begins to actively multiply on the skin and nails of a person with a weak immune system.

Fungus symptoms

A fungal infection that causes toenails to peel off develops gradually. If the nail peels off and comes off, this indicates the last stage of the disease. You can prevent nail loss if you start treatment at the first signs of pathology. The main symptoms of onychomycosis are:

• dry skin, cracking;
• itching, tingling of the affected skin;
• hardening and subsequent fragility of the nail plate;
• formation of voids under the nail plate;
• change in nail color to yellow, white, blue;
• formation of white spots;
• detachment of the nail plate from the bed.

Diagnostics

To determine the diagnosis, you must consult a dermatologist.

If you suspect a fungus, and especially if your toenail has fallen off, you should consult a dermatologist. The doctor conducts an examination, listens to the patient’s complaints and prescribes tests. A medical examination is enough to identify a fungal infection, but with the help of tests it is possible to determine the type of pathogen, which facilitates treatment. The method of therapy is selected by the doctor individually based on the diagnostic results and the patient’s allergies.

If the nail on the big toe comes off, it brings significant discomfort to the person. It should be noted that the nail can peel off after symptoms - precursors; by detecting and treating them in a timely manner, this problem can be avoided. A nail can fall off due to injury, as well as in case of a fungal infection. Let's look at these and other questions in more detail.

Why is this happening?

A fungus or other disease is not always the reason why a nail falls off. This problem is most common in men who tend to develop a leaky fungus and not pay attention to the condition of their nails. Let's take a closer look at the main reasons why a nail may come off.

Nail injury. Basically, we can talk about a strong blow to this area, when the nail tears and subsequently peels off as a sign of the body’s natural reaction to injury. Even if the blow is not strong, the nail may gradually crumble and come off. At the same time, achieving complete preservation of the nail plate is not so easy, and sometimes even impossible. No negative consequences are observed in this case.

The nail may peel and come off due to wearing uncomfortable shoes. This is preceded by systematic friction of the shoe against the toe.

The nail can peel and tear off if it comes into frequent contact with the chemical. For example, a person may work at a car wash, of course, he uses chemicals to wash. In this case, not only the nails suffer, but the entire body.

Detachment of the nail and skin of the toe occurs when infected with a fungus. The symptoms in this case are clearly expressed: a yellowed nail may hurt, there is peeling of the skin around it and an unpleasant odor occurs. Treatment is necessary as early as possible, when the nail just begins to crack. In this case, you can avoid its complete detachment.

Less rarely, a nail can become bent as a result of an allergy to certain medications taken. In this case, no other symptoms are observed. These drugs include antibiotics of the tetracycline or fluoroquinol series. After stopping taking these medications, the problem disappears. But not only medications can cause the nail to peel off. So, this phenomenon can be observed when using low-quality cosmetics.

Thickening of the nail

A hard and thickened nail is a symptom of many pathological phenomena in the body. The most common of them include:

• insufficient content of vitamins in the body, which results from poor nutrition;
• if blood circulation in the fingertips is impaired, this can cause abnormalities in the development of nails. This symptom is often observed with rheumatism, gout and atherosclerosis;
• Fungal infection of the nail is also accompanied by this symptom. In parallel with the thickening of the nail, a change in its color is observed;
• nail injury or inflammation of the nail bed;
• a thick nail also occurs with flat feet, club feet, and wearing the wrong shoes;
• With eczema and psoriasis, the nail may thicken. Treatment should be aimed at eliminating the precipitating disease;
• this problem may be congenital. Treatment in this case consists of taking vitamins and performing medicinal baths.

Nail suppuration

The nail can peel off together with suppuration, which in medicine is called “felon”. Basically, the disease occurs suddenly, when exposed to factors such as trauma, chemical burns and high fever. No less rarely, suppuration can occur after an incorrectly performed pedicure procedure, as well as when the limb is exposed to a fungus.

Most often it is the big toe of the lower limb that ulcerates and festers. If several fingers fester, this indicates a pronounced decrease in the immune system, which occurs when a serious chronic disease occurs in the body. Also, damage to several nails can be observed when exposed to fungus. Suppuration of the nail is accompanied by severe pain, which is caused by pressing on it. There is also swelling of the tissues, redness of the skin around the nail, and increased local temperature.

How to cure such a nail? In this case, treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs is prescribed, which will eliminate swelling and pain syndrome. An analysis of pus is also taken to determine the causative agent of this process.

If there are indications for surgery, the doctor cuts the skin near the nail where the pus has accumulated and removes it. Dead tissue is also removed. As a rule, the nail is also removed, which can grow back in the future only if the nail bed is not affected by the inflammatory process. In severe cases, the only way out is amputation of the finger, which will prevent further development of the inflammatory process.

What does a change in nail color indicate when it peels off?

In what cases does the nail plate change color? The most common of them.

Fungus. At the same time, not only the color of the nail changes, it begins to lose its shine, becomes thicker, and stripes appear on it. As the disease progresses, the nail becomes deformed, crumbles, and peels off. The most common cause of fungus is a wavy nail with a yellowish or brown tint.

Injuries. The nail may turn blue and peel off if it is injured. The color changes due to a hematoma or accumulation of blood under the nail. A blue nail can also occur with a fungal infection.

Weak immune system, infection, improperly processed pedicure accessories. In these cases, a green color of the nail is observed.

Allergy. In this situation, the nail may turn white and even peel off. You may notice that the nail has turned white even if a person has problems with the functioning of the kidneys, heart or liver.

Nail injury and detachment

The most common injury is a bruised nail. In this case, the broken nail will hurt, the intensity of the pain depends on the severity of the damage. Over time, you will notice that the plate has turned black and began to peel off.

In this case, first aid is as follows:

• remove shoes and socks;
• place your foot under running water or place it in a bowl of cool water;
• You can apply a cold compress to eliminate bleeding (if any) and reduce the hematoma;
• disinfection of the wound with iodine, alcohol or other antiseptic.

If the injury does not completely tear off the nail, then blood may accumulate under it, which is the reason for its further elevation. To prevent the doctor from deciding to remove the nail, it is necessary to immediately eliminate the accumulated blood to prevent it from clotting. After this procedure, the pain becomes less.

A removed nail after an injury may grow back in the future. But don't expect this anytime soon. The growth period takes at least a year. In order for the new nail to grow without deviations, it is recommended to wear the right shoes and avoid injury.

If a nail comes off, this in any case indicates the development of a pathological process that requires immediate consultation with a doctor.

Various problems with nails have long been common. Pathologies of toenails are common. Some people complain that their toenails are falling off. This problem causes a lot of inconvenience. The patient cannot wear closed shoes, feels severe pain, and an unpleasant odor. It is worth noting that peeling of the nail is preceded by some manifestations, by identifying which you can avoid this problem. Therefore, it is very important to carefully monitor the condition of your feet in order to detect the disease in a timely manner.

Why does my toenail come off?

There can be many reasons for a toenail peeling. But most often these are toe injuries. The plate may also come off as a result of a severe form of fungal infection. How can you become infected with a fungus? So, nail infection occurs under the following conditions:

• Pool;
• Gym;
• Bath;
• Sauna;
• Public beach;
• Kindergarten.

If one of the family members suffers from fungus on the feet and nails, it is important that he has individual soap, towel, socks, and tights. To prevent the plate from peeling off on the leg, it is important to take therapeutic measures. Also, indoor slippers should be individual. If the fungus is left untreated, not only will the nail peel off, but adjacent toenails will also begin to be affected. Some believe that nails peel off due to a lack of vitamins in the body. Of course this is not true.

The toenail does not come off immediately. At the first stage of infection of the nail plate with a fungus, some symptoms occur. This area begins to change color and an unpleasant odor occurs. Also, inflammation appears on the finger around the nail. The body's protective reaction when affected by infection is a sharp thickening and keratinization of the nail plate.

It is very easy to injure the nail, which will lead to peeling of the plate. Damage occurs when wearing tight shoes that do not fit. Girls experience a lot of stress on their toes when wearing high heels. The nail plate becomes depleted, begins to grow unevenly, and gradually begins to peel off. Also, various bruises, fractures, blows can cause the problem.

In this case, a person may complain of the following symptoms:

• Pain in the leg and finger after injury;
• Sensation of a foreign body under the nail after injury;
• The color of the nail plate becomes red, blue, black;
• When pressed, not only the nail itself hurts, but also the entire finger;
• Severe pain when walking;
• Swelling and swelling of the finger around the sore area.

First aid

If a nail comes off, it is very important to provide first aid to prevent infection. If the cause of this problem is a toe injury, you should follow these first aid tips:

• Apply ice to the injured finger;
• Bandage your finger with an elastic bandage, slightly tightening the sore area;
• Kombucha tincture relieves swelling and allows you to preserve the nail;
• Apply a compress to the peeling nail (apple cider vinegar and vegetable oil).

The situation with first aid in case of foot fungus is a little more complicated. A mandatory consultation with a doctor is required here. Only a specialist will be able to prescribe the necessary antifungal drugs. After assessing the severity of the lesion, doctors may decide to remove the diseased plate. To do this, a special liquid is injected under the nail using a needle, which softens the nail plate. This allows you to remove the affected area painlessly.

If more than half of the nail has detached, you can remove the plate yourself at home. In this case, a mixture of dimethyl phthalate and eggs will help. To prepare the product, just mix 1 tablespoon of dimethyl phthalate, 1 spoon of olive oil, 1 egg. The mixture is applied to the plate, which peels off, and the finger is wrapped in polyethylene. Also, you need to wear a warm sock. The procedure is carried out for 3 days before bedtime.

In some cases, it is enough to simply steam your legs so that the plate comes off on its own, and painlessly. So, you need to add an infusion or decoction of medicinal herbs to a bowl of warm water. The following herbs can relieve inflammation, relieve pain and have a slight antifungal effect: chamomile, lemon balm, St. John's wort, thyme, calendula.