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" Question My fingernails are growing away from my fingers. I have always had really strong long nails, but recently they have being coming away from the finger. At some points they are only connected by about two millimetres.  It is extremely painful, as I have had to cut the nails back because if anything gets caught under the nail it causes it to come away more.  I have no idea why this is happening.  My doctor has asked me to have blood tests to check out liver, thyroid and calcium levels, but I don&amp;#039;t know why.  Can you please explain?   Answer When the nails separate from the nail bed the condition is called onycholysis.  There are many possible causes.   Over-manicuring is a common cause, cleaning underneath the nails with a file can damage the nail bed and cause the nail to grow in the way you describe. Poor circulation in the fingers. Overactive thyroid gland Psoriasis Fungal nail infections can also lead to this condition but is usually accompanied by areas of thickening and distortion of the nail. An allergy to something that your fingers are in contact with, such as glue used to stick on artificial nails.  The blood tests that you have had will ascertain whether there is a metabolic abnormality causing this problem.  It is worth arranging for your GP to review your nails when the results are available.  It may well be that the cause will then be apparent, but if there is difficulty in reaching a diagnosis, your GP will probably organise for you to be seen by a dermatologist for further assessment and advice. Yours sincerely The NetDoctor Medical Team   Other Qs &amp;amp; As Curvy fingernails Do I have an ingrown toenail? Flaky and fibrous fingernail beds Fungal foot infection Fungal infections of the toenails Horizontal ridges on the fingernails How can I stop my skin and nails from cracking? How can parakeratosis be treated? How do you cure an ingrown toenail? Ingrown toenail Is it a fungus? Is there anything else I can try for my fungal nail infection? My big toenail smells nasty My daughter&amp;#039;s toenails look strange My thumbnails are pitted The white part of my nails is spreading down The whites at the end of my fingernails Unsightly nails are getting me down Will my big toenail grow back?   Last updated 12.03.2014 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ask-the-expert/skin-and-hair/a3208/my-fingernails-are-coming-away-from-my-fingers/>