A toenail fungus can become severe enough that you lose the nail. Learn why this happens and what to do.
There are only a few reasons why your toenail might fall off: injury, medical removal, or toenail fungus.
If you’re dealing with thickened, yellowed toenails that are brittle and becoming misshapen -- you’re certainly not alone.
Toenail fungus is extremely common.
Experts estimate that onychomycosis, the medical term for toenail fungus, affects 1 in 10 people.
If left untreated, severe toenail fungal infections can cause toenail detachment.
In this article, we detail why a toenail fungus can cause a toenail to fall off, and what you can do about it.
Also Read: 10 Best Toenail Fungus Avoidance Tips (That Everyone Should Follow)
Toenail fungus is a pesky thing, and it likes to grow in the space between your toe, your toenail, as well as inside the nail itself.
If this fungus is left unchecked and is allowed to run rampant, it can eventually cause the nail to slowly separate from the nail bed.
This can eventually cause a total detachment of the nail.
In addition, toenail fungus can cause the nail to become very brittle and easily broken.
Accidental injury can be another reason for losing a toenail to nail fungus.
And I know what you’re thinking. “If it falls off -- great! Now I’m rid of it.”
But it’s not that simple.
If your toenail falls off (or is medically removed) without fungal treatment, as it grows back in it will likely become reinfected.
If your infected toenail falls off, start using topical antifungal treatments so as your nail grows back it won’t be infected with the same lingering fungus.
Firstly, stay calm! This happens to the best of us.
If your nail is falling off but is still attached -- don’t rip it off. This can invite a pretty nasty infection.
Just let the nail naturally detach itself or see a doctor for the removal.
If it’s bleeding, apply pressure and cold water until the bleeding stops.
After the nail falls off, your nail bed is going to be raw and vulnerable to infection.
So, the first thing you want to do is keep that nail bed clean and wrapped in a fresh Band-Aid.
Use run-of-the-mill wound care like Neosporin and large Band-Aids. Keep the area dry and clean.
Once the skin of the nail bed has healed, you should begin using a topical antifungal treatment on your toenails (and where there used to be a nail).
Use this treatment until the nail has fully grown back. If new growth is looking healthy -- great.
But don’t stop treatment unless your doctor recommends it.
Using this antifungal medication ensures that the new healthy nail won’t get infected by the fungus that still remains.
Unfortunately, recurrence of toenail fungal infections, or spreading a toenail fungus to others can be common, so be diligent about using the medication.
If you stick with it, you could have a perfectly healthy nail to show for it.
Read more: How To Tell If Your Toenail Fungus Is Dying Off
A good long while.
After losing a toenail to fungus, or an injury, it can take up to a year or a year and a half for it to fully grow back.
But you’ll start to see the nail beginning to grow back in after a few months.
This new growth is vulnerable to the fungus that remains on the area so treating this new growth is important to avoid recurrence.
Read related: How To Get Rid of Toenail Fungus: 6 Tips To Help Keep Toes Clean and Clear
Toenail fungus is famously stubborn. But Strut Health can help.
Our prescription antifungal formula is powerful and designed with a DMSO driving agent. Our formula deeply penetrates into the area to deliver a powerful combination of antifungal medications.
To get this prescription, simply complete a questionnaire-based online doctor's consultation to see if our antifungal treatment is right for you.
If our doctors find this is a good fit for you, we’ll ship your prescription to your doorstep.
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