Question
I was wearing open toed shoes today and accidentally kicked a chair. I didn't feel much pain, but looked down and noticed a crack in my pedicure. I touched it and found that the top half of my toenail had lifted up and was barely attached at the left side. I quickly put on a band-aid and taped it secure in hopes my nail will reattach. Could this possibly happen? What should I do to save my nail? And if the top half ends up falling off, how long will it take for the bottom half to grow and make a full nail again? I am so worried!

Answer
Hi Cindy,

When the toenail is injured it will likely not reattach.  However, keeping it taped down until it heals will allow the nail to come off without a wound beneath the nail.  If half of the nail comes off, you will be waiting at least 6 months or more for the full nail to grow back evenly.  There is a possibility that your nail will not grow normally again due to the injury.  If this continues to bother you or worsens, I would see a Podiatrist.

Don't worry too much, all will go well.

Sincerely,

Marc Katz, DPM
Tampa, FL
Advanced Podiatry
www.thetampapodiatrist.com
www.tampacryosurgery.com
www.fix-my-foot.com

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