Although they may not seem to provide much of a purpose, toenails are actually very significant. Your nails shield the soft tissue beneath them and safeguard the tips of your toes because they are made of keratin, the same protein that makes up your skin and hair.
You might occasionally lose a toenail due to trauma, an infection, or other circumstances (or fingernail). Nails regrow, which is wonderful news. Toenails might take up to 18 months to grow back, while fingernails can take up to 6 months.
The stages of nail regrowth are shown below, along with what to do if you lose a nail.
How much time does a toenail take to regrow?
Both fingernails and toenails grow slowly, with toenail regeneration taking the longest.
A toenail can typically take up to 18 months to fully recover, and a fingernail can take between 4 and 6 months.
It is unclear why fingernails grow more quickly. But one hypothesis holds that when fingers are used more frequently, they receive more blood supply, which probably contributes to faster fingernail growth.
After traumatic event
Your toenail may become damaged if you step on anything or stub your toe. Your toenail may become black and come off, depending on the degree of the injury.
After an injury or trauma, toenail regrowth is typically delayed and might take anywhere between 6 months and 2 years.
After fungus
Because fungus flourishes in warm, moist settings, toenails are prone to fungal diseases. The fungus can grow in the ideal environment found in shoes and socks.
Because toenail fungus is also contagious, it can spread to your nail if you walk barefoot in a locker room or after visiting a nail salon.
Yellow or dark staining, brittleness, and thickness of the nails are signs of toenail fungus. Nail fungus can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications, although the fungus may not completely disappear for 12 to 18 months. To prevent fungus infection we recommend wearing DrLuigi medical footwear.
After surgical removal
With severe fungus, recurrent ingrown toenails, or when a sizable portion of a nail is diseased or destroyed, surgical nail removal may be required. A nail may take up to 18 months to fully regenerate after being surgically removed.
After psoriasis
Itchy, scaly areas of skin are a symptom of the psoriasis disorder, which can also affect your nails. Nail psoriasis symptoms include:
- Nail holes
- Discoloration
- Bleeding between your nails
- Separate nails
Topical steroids and psoriasis medication (corticosteroids and biologics) may help nails look better. Your nail may take up to six months to fully develop.
Additional elements that impact regrowth
The rate of regrowth is influenced by several factors. For instance, in colder climates and in elderly persons, nails typically grow more slowly. In the summer, nails grow more quickly.
Additionally, nails on the dominant hand typically grow more quickly than those on the non-dominant hand.
Additionally, it has been seen that trauma or injury accelerates regrowth because increased blood supply to the affected area.
The state of one's general health also affects growth. If you're unwell or undernourished, your nail development may slow down. Your fingernails and toenails may also grow more quickly during pregnancy since hormones have an impact on regrowth.
Conclusion
Your fingernails and toenails serve as skin protectors, but accidents, fungal infections, and other factors might cause you to lose a nail.
Although the rate of regrowth varies from person to person, most nails come back. The recovery process could take several months or a full year.
Keep it clean, dry, protected in DrLuigi medical shoes, and most importantly, be patient if you recently lost a nail.