9 FAQs About Damaged Toenails

Dealing with a potentially damaged toenail can bring about a lot of emotions, including stress, anxiety, embarrassment, or even sadness. There are several ways that a toenail can become damaged and several treatment options to address this issue permanently or provide temporary cosmetic restoration. To learn more about damaged toenails, continue to scroll below.

9 FAQs About Damaged Toenails

Why are my toenails damaged?

Toenails can become damaged for different reasons, including infection or trauma (ex:: something hitting or running over the toenail, toenail accidentally being ripped out, a botched previous toenail surgery, running, or pointe dancing) .

Sometimes, some people are born with damaged toenails.

Othertimes, certain diseases like psoriasis can attack the toenails and damage them. Diseases that lower your immunity and cause circulation problems like diabetes can also lead to damaged toenails.

Nail polish can damage toenails when left on too long, allowing for water or moisture to collect between the nail polish itself and your natural nail. Other nail services like acrylic, dip powder, and gel can be damaging to nails as well due to them being very stiff in comparison to your natural nail, and the removal process involved in these services including soaking off in acetone or filing.

What do damaged toenails look like?

A damaged toenail can have many different looks depending on what caused the damage.

Toenails infected and damaged by bacteria, specifically bacteria found in moist or wet places, known by the name Pseudomonas, can have a blue-green color.

Toenails damaged by trauma in the beginning can be bruised or have a blood blister or hematoma underneath the nail that is red, purple, or black in color. Once the bruising or bleeding goes away, you can be left with toenails that grow out very thick, that are brittle, or that only grow to a certain point and stop.

Toenails damaged by trauma can be misshapen, which can lead to problems in ingrown toenails that just don't go away.

Toenails damaged by fungus or yeast can be thick and many different colors, including yellow, white, brown, or even orange.

Can a damaged toenail stop growing?

At times, a toenail damaged by trauma or infection will stop growing or grow extremely slowly, which can seem like it's not growing.

Can a toenail be permanently damaged?

When toenails are damaged by trauma, this can be permanent if the nail root is also damaged. Usually, in the first few months after trauma or injury to the toenail, you will be able to see if the new toenail that is growing out is damaged.

Toenails damaged by bacteria, fungus, or yeast can potentially be treated by treating the infection.

Can running damage toenails?

Running is one of those activities that can definitely increase your risk of having toenail problems, including toenails that are permanently damaged.

This is because, when running, the big toenail especially has a tendency to hit the inside of your shoe with more force than walking. This can be one cause of toenail trauma. Doing this over time can lead to permanently damaged toenails.

Will a damaged nail fall off?

Sometimes, when a toenail is first damaged through trauma, if enough bleeding happens underneath the nail, this can actually separate the toenail from the toe. This can cause the toenail to have a higher chance of falling off.

Can damaged toenails be repaired?

Damaged toenails look healthy again with Keryflex Nail Resoration System

Toenails that are damaged permanently through trauma can be temporarily repaired or restored through a cosmetic treatment known as Keryflex Nail Restoraation.

Keryflex can also be used on toenails that are temporarily damaged by infection while being treated for the infection at the same time.

As for nails that are temporarily damaged, time, patience, and a healthy diet and lifestyle will allow a new nail to grow in normally behind a damaged toenail and slowly push this damaged toenail out.

Will a damaged toenail grow out?

If the damage to the toenail is mild, a toenail can definitely grow out and create a healthy nail again.

Key Takeaways

The journey to deal with a damaged toenail can be a long one, lasting for several weeks, months, or even years if the nail is permanently damaged. It's important to know your options when dealing with a damaged toenail to make an informed decision. Hopefully, today, you've learned everything that is possible when it comes to treating a damaged toenail.

Schedule Your Free Consultation at Direct Podiatry Arizona

Are you looking for a podiatrist in Phoenix with treatment options for damaged toenails? My name is Dr. Tarr, and I am the owner of Direct Podiatry Arizona in Tempe. To view my available appointment times, click here.