How can it be repaired?
If for cosmetic reasons the nail should not be cut off or a crack above the nail bed should be concealed, there are a few aids for this purpose. On the one hand, there are ready-made nail repair sets with tissue strips or nail repair patches available in drugstores. Alternatively, a tea bag, handkerchief or coffee filter can be used as a tissue replacement.
The material is cut to crack size or even better to nail size and fixed to the nail with super glue or colorless nail polish. Afterwards the nail is filed to size. Before the repair the nails should be cleaned carefully.
Deeper tears can be disinfected, so that it does not come in the further course to an inflammation. If there is no time for a sufficient repair, a plaster or a transparent adhesive tape can also help. However, this is only a short-term solution.
Unfortunately, the growth rate of the nail cannot really be influenced. However, careful hygiene supports the growth. A balanced diet also has a positive effect on nail growth and ensures that the nail will grow back stably.
Duration
Since the nail grows slowly, the time until nothing more of the tear is to be seen and the toenail is completely regrown is a very lengthy process. The toenails normally grow at a rate of one millimeter per month. The growth rate of the nails varies greatly from individual to individual and tends to slow down with age. It usually takes half a year for a nail to grow back completely. However, the process can also take a whole year.
Torn toenail of the Baby
Babies have even thinner fingernails than adults, so they tear more easily. Similar measures should be taken for babies as for adults. Special care should be taken to ensure that the nail is cared for in such a way that it is protected from further tearing.
First the nail should be cut back and filed. Cracks above the nail bed can be disinfected and treated with a plaster. If an inflammation of the nail bed occurs, a doctor should be consulted.
If cracked nails occur very frequently and if the nails are also very unstable, a mineral or vitamin deficiency could also be the cause. Hereditary diseases can also lead to structural changes in the nails, but are extremely rare. In the case of frequently tearing nails, a pediatrician can be consulted to identify and treat such causes. You may also be interested in the following topic: Nail bed inflammation in babies