Conditions
Onycholysis
Onycholysis is the separation of the fingernail or toenail from the nail bed, but mercifully doesn’t involve a masked torturer with a pair of pliers demanding a confession from you! It is, in fact, a gradual and painless process, which is most commonly caused by trauma. However, additional causes for this separation of the nail from the bed can be: psoriasis, fungal infection, the side effects of medication, adverse effects to chemicals, such as nail polish remover, or medical conditions, such as thyroid dysfunction. This nail condition can affect people of any age, sex or race, but appears to be more common in adults and in women. Prevention is usually better than cure, and the chances of getting Onycholysis can be reduced by: keeping nails short; keeping the nails dry (wearing rubber gloves in water); and avoiding frequent exposure to chemical such as nail polish remover.
Watch the Live from the Clinic interactive case video on fungal foot infections >
Comments and Questions
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I had a fungial infection in my to big toe nails..I went to the gp and they gave me tablets which have never worked..and both my toe nails arnt attatched to my toes its self and they have a werd smell so I have cut it down to the very bottom..will it ever grow back..has I will look stupid with no toenail..
I have had a under active thyroid for 7 years ano just in the last year all my finger nails have separated from the nail beds in some ways, How long does it take to heal , I am a nurse so my hands are constantly in water so keeping them dry is quite hard . It looks horrible , please help xxx
Hi! im 15 and I have this in both my big toes. It has been over a year and still there. I noticed it about december 2010. I need help. it wont go away! :(
hi im 17 and i have the same problem in both of my big toes aswell, i went to my gp and they said they will give me these Flucloxacillin capsules to reduce the swelling of my toes and clear the infection up. i have already had a dose of these tablets before and nothing changed so i went back to my gp and said its not going to work straight away and it needs time to clear up, i am currently taking these tablet still and the infection and swelling has reduced a bit,so it can be treated and dont panic about it, just go to your gp and they will help you. :P
is there any cure for Onycholysis
my other nail (i have two bad nails) had been the victim of some trauma, causing it to be seperated from the nail bed and turn black. I haven't been able to do anything about it and I've had it for quite a few years now and since I'm a teen, it can be slightly embarassing, especially when I meet new people and nothing can be done about it and I just wish someone could help me!
i have a similar problem except ive only had it for about a month or two. i know what you mean about it being embarassing, im 18 and its summer now and i have to hide my feet, its horrible! i was hoping it would just grow out but that doesnt seem to have worked for you.. can anyone suggest any home remedies that ACTUALLY work for treating onycholysis?
hi my 3 year old sons fingernail r perling of from the senter of this nail an falling off can someone help me find out y an wots causing this. kez
i have had test for thyroid and fungal both negative but my finger and toenails seperate and are brittle i try to cut them but they just break and i have already pulled out my two large toenails its not too painfull at the time but very sore afterwards would value your comments
My toe is infected and very puffy and red. Its really tender and if i bang it or someone steps on it then the pain is un-bearable. what shall i do???
i have had the same problem what i did was soak it in hot salt water or if that doesnt work go to your doctors
Over a year ago i dropped something very heavy on my big toe which caused a lot of bleeding and bruising to the nail. However a year later and there seems to be a lump of what looks like skin under the nail, which has actually lifted the nail up, and when I cut it etc, it bleeds and is extremely painful. I’ve been to the doctors twice and he’s basically said there’s nothing he can do… any advice? I hate not being able to get my feet out in public!
I think I have Onycholysis caused by a rugby injury 2 years ago. GP proscribed me anti-biotics which didnt work and half toe nail is detached and has a ridge around where it reattaches and the nail bed has clotted blood. I have tried stimulating healthy growth by cutting it but it hasnt worked. The nail has become brittle, thick and yellow in colour, i think this is a sign of it being dead? Any suggestions on knowing how to fix this?
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here
