Onycholysis or separation of the nail from the bed: Causes, types, treatment, photos

Nail diseases are widespread. Many, seeing changes in the nail plate, do not know who to turn to for diagnosis, and miss precious time when they can correct something and get rid of the disease forever. Neglected cases lead to severe disease and irreversible consequences.

Women with long-term use of gel polishes, patients with anemia or protein-energy deficiency often experience splitting of the nail plate. Understanding the causes and finding out which direction to move when identifying nail diseases is very important, as this can help in diagnosing more dangerous conditions.

Acquired onychodystrophy often takes the form of onycholysis. This pathology is characterized by a change and lack of connection between the plate and the bed; the matrix remains intact. Detachment of the nail from the distal edge is observed when the nail plate is unable to adhere to the bed. Below we will analyze the main reasons for the development of onycholysis.

What happens during onycholysis?

Onycholysis-detachment of the nail plate
Detachment is a violation of the integrity of the nail plates. form under their surface , which causes the nails to separate from the soft tissues of the fingers.

There is a complete or partial change in the color of the nail plates. They may become pale yellow, whitish-gray, or less commonly bluish or brown. At first, the upper part of the nail or its sides are peeled off as the disease develops , the defect reaches its base - the entire surface moves away from the nail bed. But more often than not, it doesn’t come to this, and the nail plate is not completely separated.

The connection between the qualifications of the master and the quality of extensions

The reason why extended nails fall off may be the low qualification of the master or its absence at all. If you do not complete one of the steps of gradual extension or do it carelessly, your nails will quickly fall off. Girls are often attracted to advertisements of craftsmen with low prices for services. But everyone should be absolutely clear that the low cost of the service can be caused by only two reasons: the lack of experience of the master and low-quality materials for extensions. Also, girls often extend their nails at home on their own; all the necessary components are purchased in advance, but the technology for applying the gel, primer, top, as well as the processing features of the plate itself are studied superficially, which becomes the reason for the bewilderment of the fair sex about the fact that the nail has peeled off.

Without knowledge and practice it is impossible to make a high-quality manicure. Lack of technology skills, saving materials and inattention can create such a situation. Peeling can be seen in the form of the appearance of small bubbles of air under the gel, cracks in tips and molds. So, the reasons from a technical point of view may be:

Insufficient plate grinding .
Increased sweating of hands.
The presence of remnants of the previous coating on the nails.
Getting gel or acrylic on the cuticle.
Use hand cream before the procedure. After some time, vapors may “come out” of the nail, which will “repel” the tips.
Contact hands with water before extension than 2-3 hours.
Exceeding the length of the extended part of the nail from the size of its own natural plate.
No treatment of plates with degreaser and primer .
Using components of different brands.
Ignoring the treatment of the plate with an antiseptic, which provides protection against fungal infections. The fungus provokes detachment of tips and forms.
Poorly processed cuticles and ridges.
Late correction. It can disrupt the architecture of the nail, meaning the stress point shifts. It is made thicker by the master as a potential breaking point; it is not difficult to determine: you need to press on the free edge of the nail, the place where the plate turns white is the stress point. So, if correction is not done in a timely manner, it shifts, which leads to nail breakage even with the slightest mechanical impact.
Excessively sawn plates. The master must leave natural grooves on the plate. They will provide better adhesion of the nail to the materials.

Possible diseases due to nail detachment

Detachment of the nail plate can occur in some diseases, both chronic and acute. The most common are:

problems with the gastrointestinal tract - ulcers, gastritis and other diseases;
cardiovascular diseases;
dysfunction of the central nervous system;
endocrine system disorders.

These are systemic diseases. Onycholysis is also characteristic of:

eczema and psoriasis;
atopic dermatitis;
bullous dermatosis.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to extend nails or do manicures with gel polish during onycholysis?

No. This will aggravate the condition of your nails and interfere with their healing.

Do I need to cut my nail?

This is decided by the doctor individually.

Is onycholysis contagious or not?

If, for example, the cause of development is a fungal infection, then yes.

Which doctor should I contact?

To a dermatologist.

Is treatment possible at home?

Usually yes. Not in advanced cases.

What does lateral onycholysis look like on the hands?

The very first photo in the article.

What complications can there be?

If the cause of the disease is an infection, it can spread to other nails. Over time, they become brittle and unattractive. With fungus, the disease can spread to the skin of the feet/palms.

Causes of onycholysis

The causes of detachment of the nail plate can be various factors of both infectious and non-infectious nature.

chemical factor for nail peeling

Non-infectious causes:

Chemical – the disease manifests itself through frequent contact with household chemicals without the use of gloves or other substances. Such a product may be washing powder, nail polish, or nail polish remover.
Mechanical – various injuries: strong blow, cutting, squeezing, habit of biting nails. In such cases, a hematoma (collection of blood) forms under the nail, which must be properly removed as soon as possible.
Allergy. The same household products, latex, and nail polish can cause such a reaction. Often their peeling can be observed after coating with gel polish, which is popular today, but often causes allergies.
Medications . This includes some groups of antibacterial drugs; the most common cause of nail splitting is treatment with fluoroquinolones.
Manicures and pedicures performed incorrectly at home are also a common cause of onycholysis. Nails can begin to peel if you cut them carelessly, which leads to deformation, and when filing them, hold the file not perpendicular to the nail plate, but at an angle, and move the tool in different directions.

Onycholysis can be triggered by hormonal fluctuations, lack of vitamins and stressful situations.

Infectious causes include fungi, less commonly bacteria. In 40% of cases of the disease, onycholysis is caused by the first microorganisms. When they get on the nail plates, they destroy it, the nails begin to delaminate and break.

Basic recommendations

If a girl is sure that her body is in perfect order, then you should not blame the master; perhaps she herself does not follow the basic rules of nail care, such as:

applying oil to the cuticle;
avoiding sudden mechanical movements;
doing housework with rubber gloves;
reducing the time hands are in the water.

You also don’t need to remove imperfections yourself or file your nails; using files for the wrong purpose can lead to nail peeling.

Why nail extensions fall off quickly depends on many reasons. But you should always give preference to: an experienced craftsman, careful care and high-quality materials.

We recommend visiting our Manicurist Forum , where you can ask questions or chat about interesting topics!

Lack of vitamins

Deficiency of vitamins and various macro- and microelements can also provoke detachment of the nail plate. Their deficiency usually occurs when eating poor food.

The diet must contain foods high in iron, calcium, and zinc . large amounts of magnesium, vitamin D, and phosphorus is ideal , without which calcium absorption is impossible.

B, A and E , found in apples, butter and sunflower oil, seeds, dairy products, and nuts, are also important for healthy nails

Also in the diet there should be the presence of protein products, vegetables and fruits containing silicon, amino acids, zinc and folic acid.

Is it possible to stop peeling?

The peeling can be stopped.

For this, various treatment methods are used:

treatment of the nail plate with special medications;
compresses on damaged areas;
lubricating problem areas with ointments and creams;
hand baths.

By applying complex therapy on time, nail detachment can be stopped.

Diagnosis of onycholysis

examination by a dermatologist
If you notice detachment of the nail plate, you should contact a dermatologist to determine the cause of this problem. If during the diagnostic process the doctor discovers concomitant diseases, he will refer the patient to another specialist . This is necessary in order to eliminate the factors that provoke onycholysis.

At the first appointment, the dermatologist visually examines the nail plates. It happens that the doctor immediately recognizes a fungal infection of the nails and refers the patient for an analysis (scraping), which reveals the type of pathogen. After this, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

If examination of the nails does not reveal the cause of their detachment, diagnostic methods such as:

taking samples to determine the presence of fungus, staphylococci and streptococci;
a blood test to assess the general condition of the body.

Other instrumental and laboratory diagnostics are also possible, the choice of which is based on the most likely cause of onycholysis.

The main reasons for the rapid detachment of gel polish from nails

Many women are dissatisfied with their new manicure when, after only a few days, it begins to completely fall off or peel off. Most often, gel polish detachment occurs at the ends or near the cuticles. Sometimes the edges of the coating bend near the lateral ridges (near the folds lateral to the nail).

The rarest zone of delamination is the central part.

The reasons for this problem may vary. Gel polish peels off quickly from the nail because:

the master violated the rules of coating or procedure technology, which is why the shellac falls off;
the client did not follow the recommendations for caring for varnish or shellac coating;
nails have features caused by physiological factors that do not allow the manicure to create a strong adhesion to the plate.

To identify the conditions due to which the gel comes off in pieces or film from the nails, the master conducts a visual inspection of the fingers and asks questions about the condition of the manicure, to which the client provides the necessary information. Afterwards, the nail specialist will eliminate the causes of gel polish detachment.

Violation of the rules for applying gel polishes by a master

The professional competence and responsibility of a nail specialist are of great importance. His task is to follow the technology of a manicure procedure, which consists of several stages, the first of which is comprehensive preparation:

grinding the nail plate and its sides with a buff;
degreasing the surface and removing dust;
nail dehydration;
distribution of the primer, which will become the “adhesive tape” connecting the base and the varnish.

Violations at these stages can allow dust or moisture particles to get under the base of the coating, which will subsequently lead to delamination. Further actions of the specialist must also be careful and consistent in order to avoid mistakes.

Failure to comply with application technology

During the manicure procedure, the master may violate the technology, which is why the gel polish eventually comes off:

incorrectly apply the base layer;
choose a base that does not correspond to the individual characteristics of the client’s nails;
inaccurately remove pterygium (dry epidermis of the cuticle extending onto the nail);
overdo it with cutters or pressing on the file when decorating the nail plate;
apply cuticle softener too generously;
carelessly apply gel polish under the cuticles, forming streaks;
poorly seal the ends (tips);
leave the detachments under a fresh coating;
apply the necessary manicure products in too thick a layer.

Shellac also peels off for other reasons.

The master's use of different materials

Most nail technicians, only after gaining experience, come to the choice of their preferred “proven” products that can create the perfect manicure, where the applied gel polish does not leave the nails. Beginners most often use different (incompatible) bases with top coats, or use a “2 in 1” product. Neither the first nor the second option will allow you to create a high-quality gel coating that will last at least 3-4 weeks.

When using untested products, shellac can quickly begin to peel off, like a simple film. Using materials from the same brand will increase the likelihood that the coating will not “fly off” in the coming days, and the technician will not have to correct the consequences.

Incorrect drying mode selected

The result of the manicure directly depends on the time spent with your fingers under the lamp. Overexposure, as well as insufficient exposure of the plate to the rays, will lead to the gel polish coming away from the nails or bubbles and cracks appearing on the fresh coating.

Applying too thick coats of varnish

The varnish should be applied to the entire nail (no free space should be left), in moderate quantities and always in a thin layer, otherwise the shellac will begin to peel off after the session. Brightness is achieved by re-applying an existing color layer to a well-dried lamp.

If there is an excess of gel substance, insufficient polymerization (hardening) may occur when the coating is dried, which will subsequently lead to peeling of the base of the new manicure.

Ignoring the final stage of work

At the final stage, the nails are covered with a top coat (finish), additionally dried and “lost” the sticky layer. Ignoring these steps may cause the gel polish to pull away from the nail surface.

Failure of clients to comply with the recommendations of the manicurist

Often, peeling or cracks appear on a fresh coating due to the fault of the clients themselves, who did not follow the recommendations of the nail specialist.

Features of nails and physiological factors

Gel polish peeling off nails is not always due to someone else's fault. Often the cause of this problem is the characteristics of the female body, and more specifically:

taking medications or any other means;
the beginning of the menstrual cycle or hormonal imbalance;
pregnancy;
weak or thin nail plates, from which even shellac will peel off;
presence of diabetes, heart or kidney disease;
increased humidity or oily nails.

In such cases, you should think about changing the type of manicure.

Clinical picture

Symptoms of onycholysis depend on the cause that caused it.

In case of a disease that occurs after a nail injury, the following may occur:

pain syndrome;
hematoma formation;
discoloration and weakening of the nail plate;
bleeding.

If onycholysis is caused by an infection, you may experience:

thickening of the nail plate;
change in nail color, it becomes green or yellow;
redness of the tissue around the nail plate;
feeling of pain;
unpleasant odor;
discharge from under the nail plate.

Symptoms common to all types of onycholysis:

the nail plate changes color, first stratifies in its upper part;
unevenness, change in the border line dividing the nail plate into pink and white parts;
the skin under the nail thickens;
pain occurs only with secondary infection, due to microorganisms getting under the detached nail plate.

What processes can be identified during onycholysis?

Rejection of the plate from the bed in the area of the leading edge, detachment from the side and at the base of the holes.
A healthy nail is transparent; if it turns whitish-gray, then there is air in the bed space.
A change in color in the yellow-brown palette helps to suspect the presence of microbes.
The greenish color is characteristic of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
With mycosis, the smoothness of the nail surface is lost, roughness appears, and the nail is also easily deformed.
Hyperkeratosis gradually forms due to dirt and dead cells entering the subungual space.
There is a risk of secondary foci of infection.
Onycholysis is characterized by both complete and partial rejection of the plate.

First aid for a nail injury

Hematoma-bruised nail
to place your hand or foot under a stream of cold water as quickly as possible . This is necessary to prevent the appearance of a hematoma under the nail , which provokes detachment of the nail plate. The injured limb should be kept in the cold for at least 15 minutes to constrict the blood vessels and eliminate pain.

To avoid swelling, an iodine mesh is applied to the skin and a tightening bandage is applied. This will minimize the risk of the nail moving away from the nail bed.

puncture to release blood from a hematoma

If a hematoma has formed, you should consult a doctor for a minor surgical intervention: a small hole is made in the nail so that the blood that has accumulated under it can come out.

If it is impossible to visit a specialist, you can try to carry out these manipulations at home under the condition of complete sterility . To do this, you need to thoroughly wash your hands and treat the bruise with an antiseptic solution, take a sterile needle, and heat it over a fire. After making a hole in the nail plate, remove the blood from under it. Then re-treat the nail.

Recovery

Recovery time depends on the severity of the injury and the speed of recovery.

In cases of non-infectious etiology, therapy lasts up to six months.
The treatment period for mycotic lesions lasts from three months to a year. Treatment must be complete, only then is absolute recovery possible.
If onycholysis appears as a result of existing diseases, then complex treatment is prescribed and the treatment process becomes more complicated.
The growth of new nail plates lasts on average from 3 to 5 months.

Treatment with folk remedies

Alternative medicine methods are used as additional methods for symptomatic treatment and disinfection.

orange juice with salt

A good remedy for strengthening nails is a solution of orange juice, a tablespoon of salt and 60 ml of warm mineral water. 5 drops of iodine are added to these components. Everything gets mixed up. Keep your fingers in this mixture for at least 10 minutes.

Kombucha has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. You can make a paste from it. Take a small part, cleared of films. Grind it up. Apply the resulting mass to the affected areas 2-3 times a day.

Several additional ways to treat a bruised nail at home in the video.

Treatment of onychodystrophy at the Podology Clinic

The Podology Clinic, which is one of the largest technically equipped specialized complexes in Russia, offers to take advantage of the priorities of innovative medical technologies aimed at solving a wide range of problems of the feet and nails. Experienced podologists who master all known techniques have at their disposal the most advanced expert-class diagnostic and treatment equipment, ensuring the most accurate and painless correction.

If you have problems with your fingernails and toenails, you shouldn’t leave them to chance. Only a timely visit to a professional involved in the treatment of various onychopathies will help to identify and carry out full correction at the earliest stages, without aggravating the development of dystrophic changes. And don’t forget that nails play not only an aesthetic role, but are also an indicator of your health.

Video review of the PinPointe FootLaser laser and interview with Dmitry Zakharchenko (CEO) on the latest device for the treatment of onychodystrophy and onychomycosis:

Measures to prevent nail plate detachment

To prevent a disease such as onycholysis, you must adhere to the following rules:

You should only wear shoes that “breathe.”
Socks should be chosen from materials that are highly breathable (cotton) . They should be changed every day.
Do not wear tight shoes.
After contact with water, wipe your hands or feet dry.
When working with household chemicals, you should always wear gloves and dry them afterwards.
It is necessary to properly organize your diet, excluding canned food, fatty and spicy foods . Necessary products are high in vitamins A, B, D, E, calcium and micro- and macroelements that promote its absorption, polyunsaturated acids.
Treat with antibiotics as little as possible.
It is imperative to treat chronic diseases in the acute phase.
Avoid stressful situations, overwork, lack of sleep.

Thus, if preventive measures were not followed and symptoms of onycholysis appear, you should consult a specialist who will diagnose and prescribe adequate complex therapy. Self-medication in this case should not be allowed, since there are many reasons for the detachment of the nail plates, and it is impossible to establish them independently.

What to do if your nail comes off the nail bed on your hand or toe

The method of treating the disease depends on its cause. However, in all cases an integrated approach is used. It is necessary to limit contact with chemicals, detergents and cleaning products, and use protective finger caps or gloves.

Be sure to read:

How to properly shave a man with a razor without irritation

It is not recommended to hide the disease with a layer of varnish. This will only worsen the condition and delay the onset of recovery.

During pregnancy, local medications are preferred.

Vitamins and medications

The following vitamins and minerals are encouraged:

vitamins A, E, ascorbic acid, β-carotene - restore tissue;
B vitamins - accelerate metabolic processes and improve the functioning of the nervous system;
preparations containing calcium, zinc, iron, copper and sulfur.

Vitamin preparation Aevit for onycholysis can be used both for oral administration (1 capsule for 2-3 weeks) and for external use (capsule contents are applied to the surface of the nail and cuticle, course 2-3 weeks).

Important! If a fungal infection is detected, tablets are prescribed: the dosage regimen must be prescribed by a doctor on an individual basis.

The following antifungal agents are generally recommended: