Your doctor may prescribe topical steroids to rub into your toenail and cuticle. Your nail would just be broken in the middle. 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. Cleveland Clinic. Is it possible to transmit germs or bacteria via nail polish? "Don't rip off a broken toenail if it's not ready," says Dr. Batra. If not cared for properly, it can lead to further complications such as infection. About the size of the letter "o". Do you have any suggestions on how I can relieve the problem? We avoid using tertiary references. Having a loose toenail or fingernail can be a troubling symptom, especially if you don't know what caused it. How Long Does It Take for a Toenail to Grow Back? Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. They may suggest certain medications or procedures based on your symptoms. A detached toenail is a common condition, but it can be painful. Toenails may require 12 to 18 months to fully recover. Onycholysis is easy to spot. As a result of the surgery to remove an ingrown toenail, you may experience some discomfort. 5 tips to prevent black toenails from running. There would be a huge crack, and the nail might be hanging out that needs to be cut off before doing anything else. What makes matte top coat matte and glossy top coat glossy? Nail fungus: Diagnosis and treatment. Detached toenails are usually safe to remove, and they will typically grow. Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. It is possible to remove a nail during surgery if the nail is infected with a severe fungus, is ingrown, or has large areas of damaged or diseased nails. Antifungal shampoo can help cure it. Then clean the skin underneath with soap and water and apply an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection before covering the open wound with a bandage," says Dr. Batra. Video chat with a U.S. board-certified doctor 24/7 in less than one minute for common issues such as: colds and coughs, stomach symptoms, bladder infections, rashes, and more. Nail lifting may be caused by some medications, such as chemotherapy and drugs made from vitamin A. I injured my nail causing the nail to lift from the nail bed. Common causes of your nail loosening or detaching from the nail bed may include: Nail loosening is known medically as onycholysis. After mold exposure, your body will generally detox all on its own but it's essential to get away from the mold and remove it from your home.