I eventually went to a podiatrist for a similar issue, which I’d assumed was fungus because the toenails were discolored; and was told that in my case it wasn’t fungus, it was trauma – caused not by a specific blow, but by many years of, despite my absolute best efforts, not being able to find shoes that didn’t put pressure on my toes. (My toes do not taper. Modern shoes do. Wide ones do also, even the men’s versions. Podiatrist’s prescription got me a pair that’s better than most; too soon to be sure whether that works.)
There are also various medical conditions that can screw up blood flow to your feet.
I’d start by finding out what’s causing it. The nail may well grow back; but if its coming off indicates a problem, it would be good to find out what the problem is.
I have to admit that I was not familiar with that word. From what I read in most of the world it is a fairly archaic synonym for “podiatrist” but in Ontario actually describes something that has less educational requirements than podiatrist does? Which is your meaning?
Interesting that the “chiro” part comes from Greek for “hand”. I guess putting the practitioner’s hands on the patient’s feet?
And since I’ve brought up words! The word for the OP’s condition is “onycholysis”, literally nail separation. Long lists of possible causes but yes trauma, either acute or repetitive, and fungal are fairly common ones. I personally suspect that nail fungus is over diagnosed.
ETA, nail fungus is also difficult to eradicate. Often requiring months of by mouth medicine.
There was a family we were friends with when I was a kid, where toenails falling off was something that just happened, with some regularity, to all of them. It never caused any of them any significant issues, and they always grew back.
Difficult, but not impossible, and without prescription meds. I have treated (some years ago now) fairly severe toenail fungus on one of my big toes, (again some years ago) with plain kitchen white vinegar – several drops morning and evening, allowed to dry for a few seconds, and then go on with my day. The main trick to this is persistence and patience – do it faithfully twice a day for as many months as it takes the old nail to come off and an entire new nail to grow in fungus-free. Which it still is today, by the way. That is my first-person anecdotal evidence, for what it’s worth.
Oh, the other trick is to change conditions of your feet (shoes, socks, cleaning, etc.) to make the environment less friendly to future infections. That’s been easier since I retired, since I only wear shoes and socks when I leave home, which is rarely more than 4 times a week, and then only for relatively short periods. At home I go barefoot or wear unlined moccasins in lieu of slippers.
I’m not convinced that oral antifungals are worth the potential side effects except in pretty severe cases.
Personally I have one toenail that for years has had the appearance of toenail fungus. Could be instead related to my alopecia areata. Or some other toenail dystrophy. Who knows? Neither I nor my dermatologist feel that it is worth finding out for sure as it doesn’t bother me and for me wouldn’t be worth messing with any treatment. Let alone systemic medicine.
