Fingernail problems made headlines recently, when NASA revealed that its astronauts were losing their nails and suffering other hand injuries due to the design of their spacesuit gloves. Nail loss, or onycholysis, is a common problem, and not just in astronauts. This article looks at some more down-to-earth reasons why fingernails fall off.
Common Causes of Fingernails Falling Off
In the astronauts’ case, nail loss was caused by constant pressure from their gloves on their fingertips during spacewalks. Wearing too-tight shoes can have a similar effect on toenails back on Earth, but fingernails are more likely to be lost following a sudden injury such as a blow with a hammer or being caught in a door. It can take several months for a lost nail to grow back completely. If the nail bed (the skin beneath the nail) was severely damaged in the accident, the new nail may have indentations, grooves or other deformities.
Wearing fingernails too long is the most common cause of nail loss; repeated catching of the nail tip gradually levers the nail away from its bed until it falls off completely. Excessive filing of the nails, an allergic reaction to the adhesives used to apply acrylic nails and careless manicure techniques can also lead to fingernails falling off.
Fingernail Health Problems
Medical causes for fingernail loss include the following conditions.
- Fingernail problems are common in people with psoriasis. Nails can be lifted away from their beds by build-ups of scale and in severe cases may fall off altogether.
- Fungal nail infection can cause fingernail loss. Infection under the nail leads to detachment from the nail bed, and may also give the nail a yellowish tinge.
- Sunburn of the nail bed can cause a fingernail to come off.
- Rarely, fingernail loss is due to iron deficiency or an overactive thyroid gland. These conditions tend to affect all of the fingernails.
Treating Nail Conditions
It is advisable to see a doctor if there may be a medical cause for a fingernail falling off; fungal nail disease, for example, is unlikely to clear up without proper treatment. However, most cases of fingernail loss are due to accidents. The best way to avoid these is to keep the nails trimmed short and to be careful when using knives, hammers and other tools. Fitting door guards throughout the house may help prevent trapped fingers, especially for children.
References:
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Onycholysis. Accessed 20-09-10
eMedicineHealth. Nail Injuries. Accessed 20-09-10
MedlinePlus. Nail Abnormalities. Accessed 20-09-10
National Geographic. Astronauts’ Fingernails Falling Off Due to Glove Design. Accessed 20-09-10
Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
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