A toenail that has lifted from the nail bed is a symptom of a fungal infection of the nail. Very often toenails that have lifted from below are dismissed as signs of increasing age; however any kind of discoloration or disfiguration of the nail is usually a sign of toenail fungus. Other symptoms of a toenail fungus include discoloration of the nails with a yellowish, greenish-black color, brownish patches, thick nails that have become brittle and break sometimes below the nail bed. There is sometimes a white milky or powdery residue that collects on the surface of the nail. All these symptoms are also accompanied by a slight pain when you press the affected nail. Toenail fungus can usually be treated easily using simple home remedies.
If you have a fungal infection of the toe nail, it is extremely important to keep your feet and toes clean and dry. If you use a nail brush to clean your nails, ensure that you separate the brush you use for the affected nail from the one you use for your other toes. You should clean your toes gently but effectively removing any debris that has collected on the surface of the nail. If these is any debris below the nail, then you should gently left the corner of the nail by placing a small piece of cotton underneath the corner and gently clean as much of the nail bed as you can, using a soft cloth or paper towel. It is also recommended to soak your toenails is pure and undiluted vinegar to get rid of the infection. Using a small container you should soak your feet in the vinegar for around 10 minutes and then immediately throw away the used vinegar. This helps to soften thick nails, making it easier to cut and clean them, but if you have thin nails you should avoid this treatment. The vinegar also helps to improve the acid (pH) levels of the nail and discourages growth of fungus around the nail. Apart from this, remember to keep your toenails clipped short and avoid using nail polish or artificial nails till the infection has been treated. It is equally important to wear only clean socks and change them regularly. Make sure that your shoes are not tight or ill-fitting. They should also be dry and well aired out so that there is no possibility of fungal growth in them and as far as possible keep your feet in the open air for sometime so they can breathe.
answered by M W