A black or dead toenail occurs if we drop something heavy on it. Athletes who do not wear appropriately sized footwear suffer from dead nails. It occurs due to a fungal infection or if we club our fingers with solid objects. Leave it undisturbed. It will fall off automatically after a few days. Apply tea tree oil or olive leaf extract to the affected nail at least three times a day. It will help it come off quickly. Applying iodine to a black nail helps in the recovery process.
How to Remove a Dead Toenail
Read the below eight steps to know more about how to remove a dead toenail.
Step 1
Let the dead nail fall off on its own if it’s not causing pain. See a doctor if symptoms get worse.
Step 2
Remove the nail at home if it is not causing any pain. Clean your toenail with an antiseptic solution and water. Put five drops of iodine on the nail. Let it absorb for five minutes. Clean the iodine with water.
Step 3
Use a cuticle remover or a small sharp needle. Peel off the dead skin from the sides of your toenail.
Step 4
Peel off the black outer part of the nail using tweezers. It won’t hurt most of the time, as a new nail will be growing underneath the black one. A fully grown nail takes four to five months to regrow.
Step 5
Separate the toenail using tweezers. Cut off the exposed parts using scissors. Cover the wound with gauze if you see any bleeding.
Step 6
Apply three drops of tea tree oil or olive leaf extract using a dropper. Apply the oil three times a day. Spread the oil over the affected area using a cotton swab. Let the oil absorb for 10 minutes.
Step 7
Medications such as Fluconazole and Terbinafine can be taken to speed healing. Adding garlic to your diet helps heal the nail fungus. Consult your doctor before taking medication.
Step 8
Wait a few days if your nail is stuck. Please do not remove it by force. It can permanently damage it—repeat steps 2 through 6.
Finally, if you want to read more about How to Remove a Dead Toenail then check our Toe Nail Care category.