Avulsion
1. [noun] avulsion occurs most often when trauma to the nail can cause the nail plate to be torn from, r detached from, the nail bed. Unlike other types of avulsion, when a nail is lost, it is not typically reattached. Following the loss of the nail, the nail bed forms a germinal layer which hardens as the cells acquire keratin and becomes a new nail.Until this layer has formed, the exposed nail bed is highly sensitive, and is typically covered with a non-adherent dressing, as an ordinary dressing will stick to the nail bed and cause pain upon removal. In the average person, fingernails require 3 to 6 months to regrow completely, while toenails require 12 to 18 months
Frequently Asked Questions
How is toenail avulsion different from other nail injuries when it comes to regrowth?
In the case of a toenail avulsion, the nail has been torn away from its bed. Unlike situations where fragments may be reattached, a new nail must form from the underlying germinal layer, making regrowth a longer process.
What everyday foot experience might help illustrate why a detached toenail is usually not reattached?
Imagine untangling a set of shoelaces; once a piece is pulled apart, retying it perfectly is challenging. Similarly, a torn toenail naturally regrows from its own sensitive nail bed rather than being reattached.
How can understanding the Latin roots of nail avulsion assist in remembering the process of toenail loss?
The term avulsion comes from the Latin 'avellere', meaning 'to tear away'. This helps one recall that a toenail avulsion is a situation where the nail is forcibly detached, leading to new growth from the nail bed’s germinal layer.