What should you know about a lifted nail?

When the nail plate loses contact with the nail bed, the detached area may look pale or hollow underneath. The change can involve a fingernail or toenail and may begin at the tip or sides. Knocks, picking, frequent soaking, detergents, manicures, and pressure can loosen the plate. Nail Fungus and Nail Psoriasis are possible medical causes, but a lifted nail is a sign rather than a diagnosis. Colour, thickness, pain, and nearby skin changes help guide assessment.

Trim only the portion that is completely detached, keep the nail dry after washing, and protect it with a loose dressing if it catches. Avoid scraping beneath the nail, biting it, applying glue, or covering it with gel or acrylic products while the cause is unclear. A clinician may inspect the nail, surrounding skin, and other nails and may collect material for testing. Nail Surgery may be discussed for selected structural or painful problems, but most plans begin with treating the underlying cause and protecting new growth.

Seek prompt assessment for increasing warmth, swelling, pus, severe pain, fever, or redness spreading beyond the nail. Arrange a review when several nails lift, the change keeps recurring, the nail becomes dark without a clear injury, or a streak reaches the surrounding skin. After a crush injury, urgent care may be needed if the finger is deformed, numb, or difficult to move.

What features point to infection, psoriasis, trauma, or irritation? Should the nail be tested? How much may I trim safely? How can I protect the nail during regrowth, and when should I return?