My toenail lifted off the nail bed

A detached nail can follow a crush, repeated shoe pressure, picking, or an infection such as Nail Fungus. Nail Psoriasis can also alter the nail and cause lifting. The nail bed may be sensitive because it has lost its normal cover. A fully detached nail will not fuse back onto the bed; replacement comes from growth at the nail root, which is gradual and can take months for a toenail.

Wash gently with water, pat dry, and cover the exposed bed with a non-stick dressing if it rubs against footwear. Change the dressing when wet or dirty. Do not glue the nail down, dig under it, or tear attached tissue. Choose wide shoes and avoid activities that cause impact until tenderness settles. If a piece remains attached, let a clinician decide whether it should be trimmed or removed. Keep any removed nail or debris available if testing is advised.

Get prompt help for uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain, a deep wound, increasing redness, warmth, pus, fever, or red streaking. Seek early assessment after a significant injury or if you have diabetes, circulation problems, or reduced sensation. A new dark area or a nail that repeatedly lifts without an obvious injury should also be examined.

Ask whether the nail bed is injured, whether a sample should be tested, and how to dress the toe. Ask when normal footwear is sensible and whether Nail Surgery is needed for a damaged nail that keeps catching.