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How to heal a raised toenail

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Nails are typically only paid attention to for cosmetic purposes, but they really have a lot to say about a person’s health. There are different ways to realize that something is not right with your nails: striped, dotted, deformed nails, not growing well, color changes, and the topic of this article: raised nails. As will be seen below, there are different ways to have the nails raised and this is caused by different diseases in each case, some that only affect the damaged nail and others are only a reflection of what the rest of the body is suffering.

If you want to know how to heal a raised toenail , then keep reading this FastlyHealarticle.

Why do toenails peel off – causes

There are different types of raised nails and, depending on the area that is raised from it, it will be thought that one or other diseases are causing the problem. Thus, we can divide them into:

  • Onycholysis: in this case, the nail is separated from the nail bed in the front and on the sides, that is, the area that is not attached to the cuticle, and dirt and germs accumulate underneath. Among the causes that can produce it are: trauma (due to blows, tight shoes, very common in runners and dancers), excessive pedicures, use of acrylic nails, hyperhidrosis (permanent contact with water and detergents), irritating substances (nail cosmetics, pesticides, solvents), drugs (some antibiotics, retinoids, aripiprazole, olanzapine, psoralens, some antineoplastics), allergies, fungi, psoriasis and other skin diseases, benign and malignant tumors.
  • Onychomadesis: it is when the nail separates from the nail bed in the area of ​​the base (close to the cuticle), this happens without pain, appearing underneath a new nail. It is due to different causes: malnutrition, infections, drugs (some antibiotics, retinoids, lithium, anticonvulsants, cytotoxic drugs), infections (by viruses, fungi or bacteria), skin diseases, among others.
  • Spoon nails or koilonychia : they are due to a disorder with iron (due to lack, as in anemia, or due to excess, as in hemochromatosis), due to hypothyroidism or some heart disease. All the nails are raised on the sides, giving them the appearance of a spoon. In fact, due to the great curvature they present, even a drop of water can fit in them without falling.

What to do if you have a raised toenail

As seen in the previous section, there are multiple reasons why a toenail may be raised, but there are certain general measures that can be taken:

  • Consult a professional, either the family doctor or a specialist in dermatology, since the causes are so varied, the treatments that can be recommended are also very different. The professional will do a good interrogation to find out what may be affecting that damaged finger, will check the area and the person in general (since many causes are not limited only to the nail) and, depending on the case, can take a sample of the zone or request other studies.
  • Avoid irritants, chemicals, cosmetic products on the affected nail: nails need to be free of harmful substances in order to heal, since the problem is not superficial and as seen in the previous section, the cause usually lies in the nail bed .
  • It is recommended to keep the nail raised as short as possible and nails should generally be cut straight, not following the curvature of the finger.
  • Do not perform such a vigorous cleaning of the cuticle area during the pedicure, as this may be the cause of the problem.
  • Avoid pulling your nails: always use scissors to cut them.
  • Use of footwear that does not fit the damaged area and avoid the use of heels: any uncomfortable footwear contributes to making the trauma to the area persist. On the other hand, in the case of people who suffer permanent trauma from their work (factories, work with weight or feet exposed to blows), the use of steel-toed safety shoes is recommended.
  • Improve your diet: drink water, increase the consumption of raw fruits and vegetables, legumes and seeds. Avoid all kinds of processed foods (with colorings, flavorings, preservatives), refined sugar and flour. Eating in the most natural way possible will help you regain your health, whatever the disease that is affecting you.

How to heal a raised toenail – medical treatment

The treatment of a raised toenail should always be aimed, as a first measure, at trying to solve the cause that generates it. Therefore, generally, samples are taken to find out what process that nail is undergoing. This is done by the specialist doctor, who can also request other studies if they consider it so.

The podiatrist can also help to keep the nail in the best possible condition with the following actions:

  • Trim the damaged nail as much as possible, straight.
  • Avoid working too much on the cuticle.
  • Check that if there is growth of a new nail, it is healthy and does it properly.
  • Apply the products and medications indicated by the dermatologist, such as fortifying hairspray or antifungal hairspray.
  • Control the evolution of the diseased nail.
  • If the nail is already completely detached, you can remove it, as it will prevent moisture and dirt from accumulating under it, helping the healing process to be faster. This also generates more comfort in the person, since the raised nail can sometimes catch and generate discomfort or an unpleasant sensation.

How long does a raised toenail take to heal?

Once the diagnosis is achieved, the resolution is usually slow, between 6 and 9 months , since in addition to curing the disease that is causing the problem, you must wait for the growth of a new problem-free nail, which requires some patience. It is important that the nail does not suffer further trauma during this process.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to How to heal a raised toenail , we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair and nails category .

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