What should you know about repairing nail bed separation?

Nail bed separation, also called onycholysis, occurs when the nail plate lifts away from the skin beneath it. The detached area may look white, yellow, or opaque because air is present under the nail. Injury, repeated wet work, chemical exposure, tight footwear, nail products, nail fungus, and nail psoriasis can contribute. The visible gap usually remains until the nail grows forward; the underlying cause determines whether it returns.

Do not assume every discoloured or lifted nail is fungal. A clinician may inspect the nail and surrounding skin and may test material before choosing treatment.

Keep the nail short by trimming only the loose edge, without pulling attached nail. Keep it clean and dry, wear protective gloves for wet or chemical tasks, and avoid scraping underneath or applying household adhesives. Pause extensions, gels, and polish if they irritate the nail. Treatment aimed at fungus or psoriasis should follow a diagnosis rather than guesswork.

Arrange medical review if separation spreads, affects several nails, keeps returning, or occurs without an obvious injury. Seek prompt care for increasing pain, warmth, swelling, pus, fever, or a dark area that does not grow out with the nail. A nail specialist may discuss Nail Surgery when a damaged or abnormal nail requires a procedure.

Ask what may have lifted the nail, whether testing for Nail Fungus is needed, whether Nail Psoriasis fits the pattern, and how to protect the nail during regrowth.