The next time you break your fingernail, don't panic. There are several ways you can use to repair the damage. Broken nails will not only hurt, they will ruin your appearance! Don't let your event be interrupted again by a broken nail.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Applying Nail Protective Material
Step 1. Wash your hands or feet
Before repairing a broken nail, you should make sure your hands are clean and oil-free.
- Use warm water and soap to wash your hands or feet. Dry with a clean towel.
- Wash and dry carefully so that the nail fracture doesn't spread and make the problem worse.
Step 2. Cut a piece of nail protection material that is broken off
If you have a special nail care kit, use a thick sheet of paper inside and cut it as wide as your fingernail and wrap it under the tip.
- If you don't have any nail care kit, you can use a tea bag as a nail protector. This is the most common solution and it works quite well.
- If you don't have nail care paper or tea bags at home, you can also use a linen handkerchief or coffee filter paper.
- At the very least, the material you use should be wide enough to cover the nail fracture. This material should ideally be wide enough to cover the entire nail to slightly extend it.
Step 3. Adhere the nail protection material
Apply a small amount of super glue or nail glue to the surface of your nail and use the tip of the glue tube to work it all over the nail. Use tongs to place the piece of material onto the glue on the surface of the nail.
- If you use nail care kit, use the adhesive liquid in it instead of glue and apply it using the brush that comes with it.
- Use tongs to flatten any clumps or creases of the nail-protective material. You should smooth this material as much as possible.
- If necessary, use small nail clippers or regular scissors to trim away the remaining material.
Step 4. Wrap the material on the surface of the nail
Press the tongs against the top of the material, just above the tip of the nail, folding it down so that it adheres to the underside of the nail.
- If this material has not been smeared with adhesive, you may need to apply a small amount of glue or nail polish liquid to adhere it to the underside of your nail.
- This will provide extra protection for the broken nail.
Step 5. Apply another coat of glue over the nail protection material
Squirt a little more glue onto the surface of the nail guard and smooth it around using the tip of the glue tube. Try to smooth it out as smooth as possible.
Liquid nail glue can also be used instead of super glue or nail glue
Step 6. Cut and file nails
If you have a nail file, smooth the edges of your nails after the glue dries. Use the smoother side first, then follow up with the polished side.
For best results, move the filing stick in one direction only, and don't go back and forth
Step 7. Apply protective nail polish all over the nail surface
Apply a coat of nail polish or nail polish to the damaged nail to balance it out and provide a final layer of protection.
- It is recommended that you let the nail glue dry overnight before performing this step to prevent bubbles or an uneven nail surface from forming.
- If you want, you can apply nail polish after the protective layer has dried.
Method 2 of 4: Temporary Nail Fix
Step 1. Cut the clear tape to the size of your nail
Use scissors to cut the tape to a size slightly larger than the broken nail.
- To make it easier for you to cut the tape without having to peel it off the blade of the scissors, use nail clippers or small sewing scissors. If you are using large scissors, cut the tape using the tip of the blade on the scissors.
- Choose a tape with one side of adhesive and light adhesion. Consider using "magic" tape, gift wrapping tape, multipurpose tape, or other clear office tape. Do not use strong adhesive tape such as electrical tape.
Step 2. Cover the broken nail with masking tape
Glue the center of the tape in the middle of the nail break. Press firmly down to glue. Then, use the tip of the intact fingernail to press the tape in two opposite directions so that it covers the broken nail from one end to the other.
- Make sure the two sides of the broken nail are aligned before applying the tape.
- Press firmly evenly so that the tape adheres tightly.
- Smooth the surface of the tape in the direction of the nail fracture, do not press in the opposite direction. Pressing in the opposite direction can exfoliate your nails even more.
Step 3. Cut off the remaining tape
If the tape you applied to your nails is too long, use your fingernails or sewing scissors to trim the rest.
- Make sure that the tip of the tape is flat against the surface of the nail.
- You can also use the tips of regular-sized scissors to cut off the excess tape if you don't have small scissors.
Step 4. Fix the broken nail as quickly as possible
While this method can be used as an emergency aid, you can't use it permanently. You'll need to repair the broken nail using a stronger adhesive more thoroughly.
Meanwhile, be careful not to change the position of the tape or the nails it protects
Step 5. Be careful when peeling off the tape
Peel off the tape in the direction of the nail fracture, don't peel it off in the opposite direction.
Method 3 of 4: Using Nail Glue
Step 1. Wash your hands or feet
Before you fix a broken nail, you need to make sure your hands are clean and oil-free.
- Use warm water and soap to wash your hands or feet. Dry with a clean towel.
- Wash and dry your hands or feet carefully so as not to change the position of the broken nail and make the problem worse.
Step 2. Soak the broken nail in warm water
If your toenail is broken apart, and you want to reattach it, soak the broken nail in warm water until it feels supple again.
If your nails are still glued or feel supple, skip this step
Step 3. Apply nail glue to the broken nail
Gently press the nail glue bottle until some of the glue comes out. Remove the dripping glue with a toothpick and apply it to one side of the broken nail, forming a thin layer.
- If you don't have nail glue, use super glue. Generally, glues containing cyanoacrylate can have the strongest adhesion.
- Whatever the reason, don't touch the glue with your finger.
Step 4. Put the broken nail back together
Use the tip of a toothpick to join the broken nail pieces together. Firmly press the nails evenly using the stick of a toothpick.
- Again, don't touch the glue with your hands.
- Press for at least 1 minute to make sure the nails are firmly attached.
Step 5. Clean off the remaining glue
Before the glue dries completely, soak a cotton swab or cotton ball in the nail polish remover and rub it around your nails, this will remove any remaining glue on your skin.
- You may need to gently scrub your nails to remove any remaining glue.
- Be sure to rub the nail polish remover all over the skin where the glue is on.
Step 6. Smooth the part you just fixed
Once the glue dries completely, file your nails to make them appear even. Use the rough side of the nail file to remove the exposed, rough edges of the nail.
- Move the file in one direction, not back and forth. To reduce the risk of exacerbating nail damage, move the file in the direction of the nail fracture, not in the opposite direction.
- Move slowly to prevent further damage.
Step 7. Apply protective nail polish after it dries
Once the surface of the broken nail looks smooth again, protect it by applying a coat of reinforcing polish or nail polish all over the surface. Let the nails dry completely.
Method 4 of 4: Treating Loose Nails
Step 1. Remove the broken nail
When a nail or part of a nail comes off the nail bed, you may need to remove it first to treat the wound. Use nail clippers to trim the part of the nail that is still fused together and lift the nail with tongs.
- By lifting your nails, you can better manage injuries to the nail bed. By providing more thorough treatment, you can reduce the risk of infection.
- Alternatively, you can just leave the nails loose, and clean the surroundings. While possible, this option is more difficult to make. The loose nail will fall out on its own after the new nail grows to replace it.
Step 2. Stop the outflow of blood
Depending on the severity of the detached nail injury, your nail bed may be bleeding profusely. Before continuing with treatment, stop the flow of blood by applying pressure to the site of the injury.
If possible, use medical gauze or sterile cotton. Place a cloth or cotton pad over the injury site and press firmly for a few minutes. Press evenly
Step 3. Trim the remaining nails
Use a sharp nail clipper or nail clipper to remove any stuck or sharp nail tips. You should do this both if you are removing the broken nail or leaving it so that the nail does not get wider.
Call your doctor and ask him to trim your nails if it hurts, or if you're not sure you can do it yourself
Step 4. Soak your feet or hands in cold water
As soon as you cut your nails, soak the broken nails in cold water for 20 minutes.
- The water you use should be cold enough to soothe and relieve pain in that area.
- Soaking your finger or toe in cold water will help regulate blood flow in that area.
Step 5. Soak your feet or hands in salt water
After soaking them in cold water, replace the nail bath water with salt water.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with 4 cups of warm water.
- Soak your fingers or toes in salt water for 20 minutes. Salt water can prevent infection.
- Repeat this step two or three times for the first three days.
- Pat dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Step 6. Apply antibiotics
To speed up healing of the nail and reduce the risk of infection, use your finger or a clean cotton swab to apply the antibiotic ointment all over the affected area.
Make sure your hands are clean before treating the wound
Step 7. Protect the nail bed until the new nail grows
Wrap a bandage over the damaged nail to prevent the fracture from spreading and reduce the risk of infection.
- Let the bandage protect the nail bed until the new nail grows to protect it.
- Change your bandage every time you soak or clean the wound. Make sure your wound is dry every time you change the bandage. If your bandage gets wet, replace it with a new one immediately.
Step 8. Monitor wound progression
Watch for signs of infection every time you change the bandage. This is especially important in the first 72 hours, but you should still pay attention to it until the new nail covers the exposed nail bed.
- Signs of infection include: fever, redness, warmth around the wound, pain, swelling, and discharge of pus.
- If you suspect your finger is infected, make an appointment with your doctor.
