Home treatment for a torn or detached nail
Try home treatment for a torn or detached nail:
- File any sharp edges smooth or trim the nail. This will help prevent catching the nail and tearing it more.
- Trim off the detached part of a large tear or leave the nail alone.
- Cover the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage until the nail has grown out enough to protect the finger or toe.
- If you trim off the detached nail, you will have less worry about the nail catching and tearing.
- If you leave the detached nail in place, it will eventually fall off when the new nail grows in.
- Use scissors to remove the detached part of the nail if the nail is partly attached.
- Soak your finger or toe in cold water for 20 minutes after trimming the nail.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment, such as Bacitracin, and cover the area with a non-stick adhesive bandage.
To prevent infection:
- Soak your foot or hand in a solution of 5 g (1 tsp) of salt dissolved in 1 L (4 cups) warm water for 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times each day, for the next 3 days. Reapply an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a fresh adhesive bandage.
- Keep the nail bed clean and covered with antibiotic ointment and an adhesive bandage until the nail bed is firm or the nail has grown back. Apply a new adhesive bandage whenever it gets wet.
- Watch for signs of infection such as increasing heat, redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or pus-like drainage.
- Remove an artificial nail if it separates from the nail bed. If you leave it on, the long, artificial nail can tear the nail bed.
Have a health professional trim your nail if you:
- Are not comfortable trimming the nail yourself.
- Have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or an immune system problem.
| Author: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA | Last Updated: February 14, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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