How Long Does It Take For Toenails To Grow? How To Grow It Faster

by Editorial Staff | Updated on December 18th, 2022

Perhaps your toenail has fallen out, and you want to know how long it will take to grow back completely. Or perhaps you’re simply curious about how long it takes for toenails to develop.

How long does it take for toenails to grow? Toenails might take up to 12 to 18 months to grow back completely. A new toenail will develop in its place if your toenail falls off or breaks off. This procedure will take time, depending on why it came off and how many toenails were lost.

Toenails grow at a pace of roughly 1.5 mm each month on average. This is approximately three to four times slower than the rate of fingernail development. This is because there is reduced blood circulation and damage to the toes.

Your toenail development is also affected by your overall health. It would be even more difficult to grow your toenails if you were ill. Certain diseases might cause your toenails to fall out. You must treat the underlying issue to get your toenails to grow properly.

Continue reading to find out how long it takes toenails to develop and how to make toenails grow quicker.

What Caused My Toenail to Come Off?

Your toenail might fall off for a variety of causes. The most common reason is injury or trauma, but we’ll go through all of them below:

• Injury
  • Trauma, such as being struck or jammed, can cause the nail to peel away from the nail bed.
  • Toenail detachment can result from severe or recurrent toe stubbing/rubbing. This is also prevalent among athletes who wear shoes that are too small. Long-distance runners (marathoners and ultrarunners) and trail runners are also prone to black – and eventually disconnected – toenails. Athletes with numerous missing toes are not uncommon.
• Fungal nail infection develops when fungus infiltrates a fingernail or toenail and the skin beneath the nail. Cracked, yellow, discolored, streaked, thickened, or speckled nails are symptoms.
• Psoriasis is an example of a skin disorder.
• Some soaps or acetone nail polish removers.
• Chemotherapy or antimalarial drugs
• Illnesses of extreme severity

How Do Healthy Toe Nails Appear?

Toenails with a smooth surface and no ridges are healthy. They have no ridges or discoloration and seem pink or nude in tone.

Keep an eye out for these warning indications that your toes require medical treatment.

• Nail discoloration is an early symptom of onychomycosis, often known as a fungal nail.
• Toes with thick, brittle nails. If your toenails appear thickened and “crumble” when you trim or file them, you most likely have advanced nail fungus.
• The majority of home cures and over-the-counter treatments for nail fungus are ineffective. Only a podiatrist can prescribe the appropriate therapies to eliminate the fungus and cure your nails.
• A podiatrist may file the infected nail down to a thin layer and recommend a topical therapy for treating nail fungus. In certain circumstances, the entire toenail must be removed to let a new one grow.
• Black toenails. A dark, discolored toenail might indicate a subungual hematoma, a bruise on the nail bed beneath the toe. It is frequently the result of foot damage.
• In certain circumstances, the toe will fall off, and a new one will develop. You should still consult a foot doctor since subungual hematomas can indicate injury to the nail bed. Black toenails may also result from a nail infection or an underlying melanoma.
• Ingrown toenail When a nail grows outward and digs into the skin of the next toe, it causes this painful ailment. Until you visit a doctor, you can cover your toe with cushioning or bandages. A podiatrist can trim and splint the nail to facilitate straight regeneration.

How Long Does It Take To Grow Toenails?

The key variables in your body determine the growth of your toes. If a toenail has come off due to an underlying illness, such as diabetes mellitus, it may take up to two years to regrow. Your toenail may be lost for good if you do not treat the illness properly.

Toenails develop at a considerably slower rate than fingernails. They expand at a pace of 1.5 mm each month on average. On average, it takes 12 to 18 months (1 to 1.5 years) for a toe to grow back completely after it has fallen off or broken off.

This is roughly three times the time it would take for fingernails to regenerate. Toenails develop slower than fingernails because fingernails are used more often and are subjected to greater damage. As a result, blood circulation in the fingers is greater than in the toes.

What Is the Composition of Toenails?

Your fingernails and toes were formed by ectodermal skin cells. They are dead bodily cells made of keratin, a protein. That’s why you may sever them without experiencing any pain.

However, as you reach the nail bed, you will experience agony. This region is a nail matrix component, a living tissue that takes nutrients from the circulation.

The nail matrix, bed, and plate are your toes’ or fingernails’ three primary components. The nail matrix is an extension of the nail bed that is positioned at the base of the nail plate and is in charge of developing new plate cells. It is made up of tiny blood vessels and nerves.

As a result, if this portion is destroyed, you will experience discomfort.

On the other hand, the nail bed comprises the epidermis and dermis layers and is located underneath the nail plate.

When the nail matrix pushes away the old cells of the nail plate and creates new cells, your nail grows. That is how you get long nails. As new cells replace old ones, they flatten and become transparent.

On average, toenails grow roughly 1.5 mm each month, whereas fingernails grow about 3.5 mm per month. As a result, trimming them to preserve their correct length would be beneficial.

Even though your nails are considered dead cells, they serve important tasks in your body.

Involves shielding the nail base and toe tips from direct harm. Without your firm nails, the tips of your toes would be rather delicate. You may easily injure yourself. When walking, toenails also aid in balance and grip.

Factors Influencing Toenail Growth

You should be aware of the following elements that might have an impact on the growth of your toes:

General Health

As previously said, your health will have an impact on the growth of your toes. As a result, for your toenails to develop properly, you must have a healthy lifestyle.

Age

Your metabolism slows down as you become older. The development of your nails slows, and the nails become brittle, thicker, and yellowed.

Your hormones will also slow down, altering the growth and function of your body. You can do nothing about it because it is a natural process. They must be trimmed regularly.

An infection or an injury

If you have an athlete’s foot infection, your toes may also become infected. If you have an infected wound, such as an ingrown or similar injury, your toenails will not grow until the wound heals.

Malnourishment

What you consume has an impact on the health of your toes. It is advisable to have vitamin B, vital minerals, and nutrients for the growth of your nails. Refer to the second advice above for meal types.

Illness

If your toes are dark, have ridges, and splits, or are overly brittle or mushy, these might be signs of disease. Diabetes, adrenal dysfunction, and thyroid dysfunction can have an impact on the development of your toes.

Poison

Blue toes may suggest colloidal silver toxicity, whereas white pitted toes may indicate arsenic poisoning.

Medications

Medications might have an impact on the development of your toes. Chemotherapy slows the development of your nails. Some medicines might cause your toenails to fall out if you use them for an extended period.

We’ve provided an answer to the query, “How long does it take for toenails to grow back?” In addition, “how long does it take for toes to grow out?”; Next, let’s look at some helpful hints for getting your toenails to grow back faster.

What Is the Best Approach to Care for a Broken or Fallen Nail?

Here are some pointers on how to treat a broken nail and hasten its healing:

• To relieve swelling and inflammation, apply a cold compress for up to 20 minutes. Before applying to your skin, wrap a towel around an ice pack.
• Maintain your nail’s elevation. This restricts blood flow to the area, reducing swelling and bruising.
• Consume biotin supplements. These supplements enhance cell development and aid in metabolizing protein-building amino acids, resulting in quicker nail growth.
• Maintain a dry and protected wound. The skin behind your toenail is extremely sensitive. Clean and dry your nail bed regularly, then wrap it in a bandage. Once a day, change the bandage.
• To avoid infection, apply antibiotic ointment to the broken nail.
• If it hasn’t already, attempt to keep the nail in place until it’s time for it to come off. This adds additional protection to the nail bed beneath.

How to Make Your Toes Grow Faster

You may grow your toes faster if you follow these tips:

Live a Healthy Lifestyle

The greatest method to keep your toes and other body parts healthy is to keep your body healthy first. You can maintain your health by leading a healthy lifestyle:

• Getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night
• Keeping yourself suitably hydrated
• Exercising regularly 
• Abstaining from illegal drugs and substances of abuse

Your toenails will grow quickly and strongly if you maintain this healthy lifestyle.

Get Healthily

Toenails might fall out because your body demands more vital nutrients for healthy nail development. Ensure you’re receiving the nutrients below to help your toenails grow back quicker and stronger.

Essential Nutrients for Healthy Toenails/Nails:

• Magnesium – foods high in magnesium include beans, almonds, avocados, tofu, and dark chocolate.
• Citrus fruits, particularly guavas, lemons, oranges, and pineapple, are high in vitamin C.
• Eggs, salmon, pork liver, and bananas are all good sources of biotin.
• Green leafy vegetables, chicken liver, lentils, cashews, and baked potatoes are all good sources of iron.
• Tuna, herring, sardines, mackerel, salmon, almonds, soybean, and flaxseed oil are good omega-3 fatty acids.
• Lean meat, tofu, lentils, milk, seafood, yogurt, and eggs are all good protein sources.
• Oysters, almonds, whole grains, crabs, and lobsters are all good sources of zinc.
• Red meat, eggs, milk, tuna, mackerel, shellfish, kale, and spinach are all good sources of vitamin B.

Vitamin B is required for strong nails. Consume more of the foods listed above. These foods are widely available in supermarkets. If your nails are brittle or fragile, your body demands more.

Trim Your Toes Regularly

Always trim your nails as soon as they become long enough to hinder mobility. Because fingernails develop faster than toes, you may need to treat them more frequently.

The work determines the frequency with which you cut your nails at hand. You should cut your nails as soon as they grow, which should be twice a week or once a week. Keeping your toes short prevents them from being entangled in socks, which may be aggravating.

Because onycholysis might occur, choose a skilled and qualified pedicurist. Onycholysis is caused by trauma or frequent application of manicure tools to the toes, causing the toe to rise upward.

Use Nail Hardeners

If you insist on getting a pedicure for cosmetic reasons, you should ask your pedicurist to add a nail hardener. Because this is a temporary solution, don’t expect it to have a long-term impact.

Avoid Using Abrasive Nail Polish

When it comes to nail polishers, go with established brands; they may be a bit more expensive, but they are safer and last longer.

Apply Moisturizer

Learn how to moisturize your toes and toenails at the same time. You might want to get your hands involved in the process. Moisture aids in the health and nourishment of your nails.

Filing

Filing your nails does not replace cutting them. After you’ve chopped your toes, you may ‘file’ them to smooth down any rough edges. However, don’t try to shorten your toenail by filing it since this might cause skin injury.

Soak the Feet

You might also bathe your feet in lukewarm water before trimming your toenails to relax them and make trimming your toenails simpler.

Massage

Massage your feet and elevate them in bed to ease the strain from standing or walking all day. You may do it yourself by massaging your soles in circles with your thumb and fingers, followed by your toes.

Correct Footwear

Proper footwear will aid in the health of your toes. Constricted footwear may strain your toes unnecessarily, increasing your risk of injury.

Wear shoes that are both comfortable and give enough protection from potentially harmful external influences. Wear comfortable socks as often as possible since they can also comfort your feet.

Pedicure Suggestions for Your Toes

• Experts recommend seeing a professional pedicurist every four to six weeks to keep the best-looking toenails. You can go every two weeks if your toes require different treatments. But neither less nor more. Onycholysis can occur if you get too many pedicures.
• Use only mild and safe nail polishers from reputable manufacturers. Although the service is more expensive, you will be protected.
• Get your pedicure/manicure done in a professional nail salon. Inexperienced workers might injure you.
• If you know how to do it, you can pedicure at home. What matters is that your toenails are properly trimmed.

Your toes should be neither too short nor too long. Toenails that are excessively short expose your toes and increase the risk of ingrown toenails. On the other side, overly long toenails may result in disasters if your toenails become entangled in some items.

As a result, trim your toenails at least 0.04 to 0.08 inches away from your toes. This length is sufficient to protect your toes without injuring them.

When Should a Person Seek Medical Attention for a Torn or Detached Nail?

Little can be done to replace or repair a damaged or removed nail. The main risk is damage to neighboring structures. A doctor’s visit may be required if there appears to be severe damage to the regions around the nail.

A visit to a doctor is required if there are any indications of infection, swelling, growing pain, or pus that appear a few days after the accident.

There may be bleeding between the nail and the nail bed after physical damage to a nail, resulting in a subungual hematoma.

This can result in a highly painful issue that can be swiftly alleviated by a doctor drilling a small hole in the nail plate to release the pressure of the collected blood.

What Are the Most Frequent Nail Infections?

Bacterial and fungal infections are the most prevalent types of nail infections.

Bacterial

• The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of bacterial nail infections.
• The infection begins in the skin fold at the base of the nail.
• Infections can progress, resulting in inflammation and pus. It is frequently accompanied by a fungal infection, especially when severe.
• Among the therapeutic possibilities are barrier creams, antiseptic lotions, antibiotic medication, and antifungal preparations.

Fungal

• Fungal infections, such as tinea, can be passed from person to person and damage the fingernails or toes.
• The nail bed itself might get infected if left untreated. People with diabetes or weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to fungal infection.
• White, yellow, or green unpleasant discharge, thickening of the nail plate, and lifting the nail plate from the nail bed are all symptoms.
• Antifungal medications administered topically (directly to the nail) or taken orally (by mouth) are treatment alternatives, as is expert trimming, shaping, and care of the toenail by your podiatrist.

Conclusion 

How long does it take for toes to regrow? Toenails regenerate over 12 to 18 months. This is the time it takes for a whole toenail to regrow (if the full nail fell off or broke off). If only a small portion of the toenail fell off, it would only take a fraction of 12 to 18 months.

Toenails grow at a pace of roughly 1.5 mm each month on average. This is around three times slower than the rate of fingernail development. This is because there is reduced blood circulation and damage to the toes.

When an underlying ailment is causing your toenails to fall out, the doctor should address the issue first. If the infection is not treated, your toenails will never grow back.

Editorial Staff

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