Okay, let's look at why your nail might be disconnecting.
When your nail is separating from the skin underneath, that is a common condition known as onycholysis.
According to the reference provided, onycholysis is a common nail disorder in which the nail plate has separated from the nailbed, typically resulting in a well-defined area of white opaque nail. This means the hard part of your nail (the nail plate) is lifting away from the tissue beneath it (the nailbed). This separation often makes the detached part of the nail look white or opaque because air is trapped underneath.
Potential Reasons for Nail Disconnecting
The reference states that onycholysis may be idiopathic (meaning the cause is unknown) or secondary to various factors. Here are the specific reasons listed in the reference that could explain why your nail is disconnecting:
- Trauma: Physical injury to the nail is a very common cause. This could be from a single event like hitting your finger, or from repetitive minor trauma like typing, wearing ill-fitting shoes, or excessive manicuring.
- Skin Disease: Certain skin conditions can affect the nailbed and cause separation. Examples might include psoriasis or eczema affecting the fingers or toes.
- Nail Infections: Fungal or bacterial infections of the nailbed can disrupt the connection between the nail plate and the underlying tissue.
- Tumours: Though less common, growths under the nail can push the nail plate away from the nailbed.
- Systemic Events: This refers to conditions or events affecting the whole body. Examples could include certain illnesses, reactions to medications, or nutritional deficiencies, although the reference specifically lists "systemic events" as a category.
Here is a breakdown of potential causes mentioned:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Idiopathic | Cause is unknown. |
| Trauma | Physical injury (single impact or repetitive stress). |
| Skin Disease | Conditions affecting the skin and nailbed (e.g., psoriasis). |
| Nail Infections | Fungal or bacterial growth under the nail. |
| Tumours | Growths developing under the nail. |
| Systemic Events | Conditions or events affecting the whole body (e.g., illness). |
Understanding the specific cause is often necessary to address the issue. Observing when the separation started, if there was an injury, or if you have any other symptoms can be helpful in identifying the underlying reason.
