How can I prevent my nail bed from shrinking?

Q: My nail bed in the right hand middle finger has shrunk a little for the past one year. It is shorter than all the nail beds. What is the reason?

A:You probably mean to convey that the nail plate has separated from its bed, so that the pink area of the nail is smaller than what it used to be. If this is so, then you most probably have onycholysis. This could be due to mechanical insult or due to internal disorder. Sometimes, it can also be due to fungal infection (along with some other features). The treatment and preventive measures depend upon the diagnosis and its probable cause.