Onycholysis Dr Rob Hicks Onycholysis is the separation of a fingernail or toenail from its nail bed. It is gradual, painless, and usually caused by physical trauma.

In this article

What's the cause? Who's affected?

How can I prevent it? What's the treatment?

The most common cause of onycholysis is trauma, but other possible causes include:

• Skin conditions, such as psoriasis or lichen planus
• Medical conditions, such as thyroid dysfunction
• Fungal infections
• Side-effects of medication
• Adverse effects of chemicals, such as nail polish remover
• Prolonged immersion in water

The separation is gradual and does not hurt. The nail may appear whitened or, if there’s an infection, discoloured (commonly yellow or green). The nail may also appear damaged.

It's not known how many people experience onycholysis, but it can affect people of any age, sex or race. It appears to be more common in adults and in women.

You can reduce your risk of onycholysis by:

• Keeping nails short
• Keeping nails dry (wear rubber gloves in water)
• Avoiding frequent exposure to chemicals such as nail polish remover

Treatment usually involves tackling the underlying cause, such as a fungal infection.

Nail changes aren't usually permanent, but they can take many months to resolve, even after treatment.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2006.