Causes and Treatments for Nails That Stop Growing

Home » Blog » Causes and Treatments for Nails That Stop Growing

One of the basic bits of information we learn as early as Kindergarten is that our body keeps growing, and some parts, such as our hair and nails, do so for as long as we live. This makes onychomadesis –  the clinical sign when nails stop growing – a perplexing experience for many.

At first glance, nails that stop growing might not seem like a major concern. However, that’s before you consider that nails serve important functions as protective layers for the fingertips as well as general indicators of health and well-being.

Nails are so replaceable that they continuously spawn out of the nail beds, ensuring that your body constantly has strong, hard plates ready to serve these purposes. Onychomadesis means they are no longer replaceable, and any damage your nails sustain becomes harder to repair.

Common Causes of Onychomadesis

At its core, onychomadesis is a condition defined by the cessation of activity in the nail matrix. In simpler terms, that means the area of the fingertips responsible for nail growth stops working.

This itself can be caused by a wide variety of factors ranging from trauma, disease, or even lifestyle changes. Depending on the cause, onychomadesis may manifest itself as a simple lack of production in the nail bed or as serious as complete shedding of the nail.

This variety and range often mean it takes time to diagnose onychomadesis, and this is especially true because other similar but different conditions, such as onycholysis, exist.

Temporary Causes

Interruptions to nail production are often caused by exposure to temporary scenarios, situations, or environments. This is usually the easiest form of onychomadesis to address, as the solution is simple: remove yourself from the presence of the cause.

In practice, however, this is not always immediately possible, as we will soon discover through a couple of examples. The bright side, though, is that temporary means, given enough time, things should improve, and people often recover.

Temporary causes of onychomadesis include the following:

• Major Stress Events: It’s common knowledge that high levels of stress can negatively affect just about every system in the body, and the integumentary system, of which nails are a prominent part, is no exception. It is possible for the stress brought about by intense negative experiences, such as the death of a loved one, to slow or even halt activity in the nail matrix.
• Chemotherapy: Without mincing words, chemotherapy is basically an endurance test where doctors hope your body withstands the effects of medication for longer than your cancer cells do. Unfortunately, chemotherapy affects rapidly dividing cells the most, and while this includes cancer cells, so do hair follicles and nail matrices, leading to telltale hair loss and interrupted nail growth.

Underlying Medical Conditions

When we started this discussion, we described onychomadesis as a clinical sign. This is because it is not necessarily a disease in and of itself but rather an objective observation that something is wrong (as verifiable by the fact a nail is stalled).

This means that when not caused by temporary factors, onychomadesis may indicate underlying medical conditions. Not all these conditions are treatable, and because the non-vascular nature of keratinized cells slows down healing, they are sometimes chronic.

Here is a list of conditions that may lead to onychomadesis:

• Peripheral Artery Disease: This is a condition where narrowed arteries – often caused by fatty buildup – lead to poor blood flow in the arms or legs. This, in turn, means poor nutrition and oxygen supply to the fingertips, which slows down or even halts nail growth entirely and, in the worst of cases, leads to shedding of the plate.
• Psoriasis: This is a very common chronic disease wherein certain triggers cause the immune system to attack healthy tissues in the integumentary system. While the disease primarily attacks the skin, most people who have psoriasis will, at some point, find that the disease extends its effects to the fingernails and toenails.
• Onychomycosis: More commonly known as a nail fungus infection, this occurs when dermatophytes, yeasts, or molds invade the nail plate and/or nail bed. While often treatable and not considered severe health risks, fungal infections allowed to propagate can worsen to the point the nail plate falls off and stops growing until the infection is cleared.
• Retronychia: A rare type of ingrown nail, retronychia occurs when the nail plate grows downward and embeds itself into the nail bed. This disrupted growth pattern can either directly prevent new nail production or lead to inflammation that does the same.

Nutritional Deficiencies

When not caused by diseases or treatments, stunted nail growth might be the result of lifestyle factors. Certain diets, drinks, or supplements might lead to imbalances in the body that make it difficult for the body to grow nails.

Nails are primarily built from keratin, just like hair. Nails themselves are not technically living tissue, which might make it seem strange to talk about “healthy” nails, and yet there is still an enormous difference between a nail matrix that receives enough nutrition and one that does not.

These are some nutritional deficiencies that can stunt the growth of the nail:

• Zinc Deficiency: Zinc ions (positively charged atoms) are used by the body to stabilize proteins; that is to say, these ions allow proteins to hold the correct shapes for the body to use. Without a sufficient amount of zinc, the body may have difficulty using proteins for essential functions such as the formation of keratin.
• Biotin Deficiency: Biotin, more commonly recognized as vitamin B7, is used in the process of converting food into energy and is necessary for the production of fatty acids, sugar, and amino acids. Thus, lower biotin levels in the body mean slower cell growth and division.
• Folate Deficiency: Vitamin B9, or folate, is most notable for its role in cell division and synthesis of DNA. This is important for nail production because, as we have noted, the cells of the nail matrix are some of the fastest-dividing in the human body.

These are not the only nutrients involved in the production of healthy nails. Protein, iron, vitamins A, C, and D, as well as healthy fats, are all necessary for the development and maintenance of healthy nails.

Generally speaking, a balanced diet should provide all the nutrition your nails need. If not, there may be factors at play that lead to these deficiencies, warranting a visit to a health professional.

Trauma to the Nail Bed

Physical damage to the nail matrix may also lead to a slowing of growth. Damage is categorized into two types:

• Macrotrauma: This is a sudden injury, such as when a heavy object falls on a toe, and the person suffers abrupt harm. Tissues torn or compressed by macrotrauma may suddenly cease functioning as a result of sudden damage to large numbers of cells.
• Microtrauma: Repetitive irritation, such as from rubbing against the inside of a shoe, can lead to stunted nail growth through gradual disruption to the matrix. Chronic inflammation and growth of calluses in an attempt to cope with damage may limit the supply of nutrition for proper nail growth.

Treatment Options for Onychomadesis

Addressing the Underlying Cause

Again, onychomadesis is not the disease itself. Furthermore, unlike many other symptoms of diseases, there is no realistic way to encourage nails to grow again while underlying problems persist (topical medications and treatments are likely to be ineffective in most cases).

Because of this nature, doctors aim to prevent detaching and encourage normal growth by first identifying and addressing the underlying cause.

To paint a picture, imagine onychomadesis as a wilting flower. There is no way to revive the flower without first addressing the underlying issue of a lack of water or poor soil.

Providing Nutritional Support

Providing adequate nutrition ensures that the body has the building blocks it needs to continue producing healthy nails. More than that, sometimes, adequate nutrition also addresses conditions that lead to onychomadesis.

Also, consider that in severe cases where the nail has already detached, a healthy body will heal faster than an unhealthy one. Healthy individuals also often respond better to medications than unhealthy individuals.

Medications

Many causes of onychomadesis can be treated with medications, and those that cannot be treated can often be managed.

Fungal infections are often treated with antifungals (big surprise there). These are usually applied topically, though oral options exist that are just as effective.

Meanwhile, chronic conditions such as psoriasis have their own treatment options as well. Steroid creams, immunomodulators, and even light therapy can help reduce flareups to the point the nails are no longer affected.

Home remedies are also available for both of these examples. Of course, it’s still best to work with a professional to determine what medication is best for you.

Protecting the Nail Bed

While protecting the nail bed does not apply as a full treatment for all cases of onychomadesis, practicing safety measures to keep it safe can help promote healing. Tips for doing so involve a fair degree of discipline with regard to hygiene but are effective means of keeping nails healthy.

• Keep your fingernails and toenails short. This will help to prevent them from catching on objects and being further damaged.
• Avoid biting your nails or picking at them. This can introduce bacteria and fungi into the nail bed, which can worsen the condition.
• Wear gloves and/or other protective gear when doing housework or gardening. This will help to protect your nails from harsh chemicals and irritants.
• Moisturize your nails and cuticles regularly in order to help keep them healthy and flexible. Look for lotions or oils that contain ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, or shea butter.
• See a doctor if you suspect you have onychomadesis. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent further damage to your nails.

When to See a Foot Doctor

Because it can take time before you notice that your nail isn’t growing, you might end up getting a delayed diagnosis with a greater risk of complications compared to if you had gotten one early. As a result, it is often a good idea to seek medical advice as soon as you suspect the possibility.

Say, for instance, you suffered significant trauma to your nail, such as from a deep cut or a heavy blunt impact. In such a situation, it is advisable to visit your healthcare provider, as even in the event that onychomadesis is unlikely, other unexpected issues may result from the injury.

It is also important to have a doctor assess the risk of onychomadesis if you have any associated diseases, such as psoriasis or eczema. They may be able to put you on a treatment plan to keep onychomadesis at bay or possibly reverse the damage it has already dealt.

Finally, even in the absence of trauma or associated diseases, see a doctor if any persistent symptoms associated with onychomadesis persist. Watch your nail for any ingrowth, separation from the nailbed, discoloration, etc.

Contact Dr. Elizabeth Auger for Help With Nails That Stop Growing

Embarking on a journey toward optimal foot and nail health is a crucial step in maintaining your overall well-being. Your feet and nails play a vital role in supporting your daily activities, and addressing any concerns or discomfort is essential for a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

For personalized guidance and expert care, Reach out to Dr. Elizabeth Auger, DPM, a distinguished podiatrist operating in Salt Lake City, West Jordan, and Sandy. Dr. Auger’s expertise extends beyond the ordinary, and her commitment to foot and nail health is unparalleled.

To take the next step towards rejuvenating your nail health, consider contacting Dr. Auger at 801-845-3960. Your journey to healthier, growing nails begins with a simple call.

Remember, your nails are more than just a cosmetic facet; they reflect your overall health. So, take the initiative and connect with Dr. Elizabeth Auger to embark on a path of comprehensive nail care.