entire thumb nail removed

Dear doctor,
I lost my entire thumb nail of right hand in an accident around 2 weeks ago. The nail bed was also severly damaged. Initial 7/8 days were very painful. Now, although the pain has subsided to a large extent, but now new nail has started to grow. I am worried if a nail will ever grow back. Please suggest.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
After trauma to the nail, nail grows back and it takes 70 and 160 days to cover the entire length of the nail. Since there is no pain now, so no antibiotics or pain killers are required. The nail should grow back soon.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.