What should you know about onycholysis after gel nails?

The detached part may look white, yellow, or opaque because air sits under the nail. Gel application, filing, picking, forceful removal, or repeated wetting can injure the nail plate or the attachment beneath it. A lifted nail can collect moisture and debris, which may allow secondary infection. Nail Fungus can cause thickening or colour change with separation, while Nail Psoriasis can produce lifting, pits, or other nail changes. The appearance does not identify the cause by itself; a clinician may inspect the nail and surrounding skin and take a sample when infection is suspected.

Remove artificial product gently and pause gel, acrylic, polish, and adhesive until the nail has been assessed or has recovered. Keep the nail short by trimming only the unattached edge, and do not pull or scrape the attached portion. Keep hands dry when possible, wear gloves for prolonged contact with water or cleaning products, and avoid placing anything under the nail. Do not share clippers. Treatment depends on the cause; Nail Surgery is reserved for selected problems and is not a routine answer to simple cosmetic lifting.

Book a medical review if several nails are affected, the separation persists after stopping gel products, or the nail becomes thick, crumbly, green, dark, painful, or foul-smelling. Seek prompt care for redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, or a rapidly worsening change. People with diabetes, poor circulation, or reduced immunity should seek advice early when a nail is injured or infected.

Does this look like product trauma, infection, or an inflammatory nail condition? Is testing needed before treatment? How should I trim and protect the nail? When can I safely return to gel manicures?