Okay, so you’ve noticed that your toenail is detaching from your toe (which is probably very confusing and alarming to you). But why is it happening?

While it might seem like an unusual occurrence, there are actually several reasons why a toenail might detach from the nail bed. And in today’s article, we at Your Next Step are here to share them with you.

Why Do Toenails Fall Off?

Toenails can detach due to a variety of factors, including:

• Injury: Trauma to the toe (stubbing your toe, dropping a heavy object on it, or repetitive pressure from ill-fitting shoes) can cause the nail to separate from the nail bed.
• Fungal infection: Onychomycosis, a common fungal infection, can thicken, discolor, and eventually cause the toenail to crumble or fall off.
• Skin conditions: Psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions can affect the nail bed and lead to nail separation.
• Medical conditions: Diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and thyroid disorders can affect nail health and increase the risk of nail loss. Even heart conditions can change the nail in many ways, so symptoms leading up to nail detachment (such as discoloration) could be a sign.
• Medications: Some medications, including chemotherapy drugs and certain antibiotics, can cause toenails to become brittle and fall off.

What are some risk factors for these? First, old age. Toenails are more likely to detach when there’s poor circulation and slower nail growth. Athletes (like runners) are also at risk because of how active and susceptible to injury they are.

Treatment

In many cases, no specific treatment is necessary, and the nail will regrow on its own over time. However, it’s important to keep the area clean and protected to prevent infection.

You can do this by trimming any loose or jagged edges of the nail, washing the area with soap and water, and band-aiding the toe.

If the nail loss is due to a fungal infection or other medical condition, however, your doctor may prescribe antifungal medications, topical creams, or other treatments to address the underlying cause.

Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, Dr. Aliza V. Eisen, and Dr. Cassandra Stache are eager to assist with all your foot and ankle problems. Solidify your appointment and contact us today!