Help, My Toenail is Falling Off

So your toenail is falling off and you are freaking out that something might be wrong. Don’t worry, there are many reasons that a toenail can fall off and the most important thing to remember is that it’s going to be ok.

Toenails can fall off for a variety of reasons. The first being something dropping on it or banging it just like a hammer hitting your thumbnail. The nail will typically turn black and the fingernail will either grow out or it will fall off. Regardless of which it is, the most important thing is that you do not need to be concerned about whether or not your toe is going to be ok. The toenail serves as protection, but it is not near as important as a fingernail is.

Another cause of a toenail falling off is fungus in your nail. The fungus can actually get underneath the nail and serve to separate it from the bed of your toe. As a result, your toenail will start to separate from the rest of your toe and it will start to catch on socks. The best thing that can be done is to have your podiatrist trim it down to where it is still attached. Often times these nails are really thick and difficult to cut through with regular toenail trimmers.

If you notice your nail starting to come off or you hit your toenail with some you should seek care from your podiatrist. There could be more damage than just your nail and it’s always important to get it checked out. If you live in the Chatham or Tewksbury, Massachusetts area, Dr. Wachtel would be more than happy to see you and help treat your feet. We are also happy to announce our Methuen and North Andover offices located at 451 Andover St. Suite 300, North Andover MA 01845 and 87 Jackson St, Methuen, MA 01835.