Which nail condition is most likely to cause the nail to fall off?

The condition that is most likely to cause a nail to fall off is onycholysis. Onycholysis refers to the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, which can result from various factors such as injury, infections, or underlying health conditions. When the nail detaches, it creates an environment that weakens the attachment of the nail, making it more prone to falling off completely.

While other conditions like onychomycosis (a fungal infection), onychorrhexis (brittle nails), and plicatured nails (curling of the nail) may affect nail health and integrity, they do not typically lead to complete loss of the nail plate in the same manner as onycholysis does. Therefore, recognizing the characteristic of onycholysis as a disconnection from the nail bed helps to understand its potential to lead to nail loss.