The skin beneath our toenails and the tissue around them are shielded by our body's
toenails. Toenails may tolerate repeated harm like any other defense mechanism,
but they are not completely impervious. The possibility of loosening, breaking,
splintering, irregular growth, and cracking toenails exists. The latter will be covered in
this post, precisely how to handle a cracked toenail.
Identifying a cracked toenail
When the nail breaks, it becomes a cracked toenail. This can happen at the toenail's
tip, center, or base. Toenails that are thinner are more prone to breaking.
Additionally, you can observe flaking, which is a sign of a fragile, eroding surface.
How to handle a broken toenail
You can start treating a cracked toenail as soon as you discovered it to help it regain
its full strength and health. The thorough methods listed below can be followed in
any order, depending on the degree and underlying cause of your broken toenail.
For a complete recovery, you might be able to skip steps, move ahead, or even go
back to earlier stages of treatment.
Step 1: First, pause to evaluate the damage.
You should first evaluate the extent of the nail's damage. This will have an impact on
the necessary treatment. Your toenail could be damaged to varied degrees,
including but not restricted to:
● a split running from the nail's tip to the nail bed
● Toenail separation from the toe, whether total or partial
● breaking of a toenail
● discolored toenails
● Pain, sensitivity, or soreness in the vicinity of the injured area
● Fungal infection (causing a cracked toenail)
Step 2: To prevent infection, clean the damaged area.
If your nail bed is partially visible, wash the nail and the area around it with soap and
water, then thoroughly dry. If your nail has a slight crack but is otherwise intact,
search the crevasses for any dirt or debris that may have become caught there.
Step 3: If an artificial nail starts to split from the nail bed, remove it.
If an artificial nail is left on the nail bed, further tears may form. It might also catch or
become trapped on your shoe or sock, which would worsen the situation.
Step 4:General foot care should be continued (or started).
In order to promote toenail growth and prevent further damage to the broken toenail,
adequate foot care is essential. This includes frequently washing your feet, clipping
your toenails, moisturizing your feet and toes, and wearing appropriate footwear.