If onycholysis occurs, which practice is recommended?

• A. Leave the nail long
• B. Expose to acrylics
• C. Soak in oil
• D. Clip the affected portion, keep nails short, avoid irritants, and wear gloves for wet work

Answer: (D)

Onycholysis means the nail plate has separated from the nail bed, so the priority is to protect the area and minimize further trauma while it heals. The best practice is to clip away the loose, affected portion to remove sharp edges, keep the nails short to reduce leverage that can worsen the lifting, avoid irritants that can inflame the area, and wear gloves for wet work to shield the nail and surrounding skin from moisture and chemicals. This approach lowers the risk of infection and supports healing by reducing mechanical stress and keeping the area clean and dry. Leaving a long nail, exposing the nail to acrylics, or soaking in oil does not address the injury effectively and can slow recovery.