Ava Monroe
The skin bordering the lower end of the nail is called the cuticle. It is a thin layer of skin that grows over the nail. The paronychium is the soft tissue that overlaps onto the sides of the nail plate, and the area of epithelium underlying the free edge of the nail plate is called the hyponychium. The hyponychium acts as a barrier from germs and debris, preventing external substances from getting under the nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is it called | Hyponychium, also known as the "quick" |
| Location | Under the nail plate at the junction between the free edge and the skin of the fingertip |
| Function | Forms a seal that protects the nail bed |
| Composition | Epithelial tissue, particularly the thickened portion |
| Appearance | Glassy, greyish colour; may not be visible in some individuals |
| Thickness | Can vary, but typically becomes thicker with age or certain nail habits |
| Trimming | May be painful if the hyponychium is thick |
| Related Conditions | Onycholysis, onychomycosis, subungual hyperkeratosis, nail psoriasis |
| Treatment | Corticosteroids, avoiding certain manicures, moisturising |
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What You'll Learn
- The hyponychium is the thick skin under your nail
- Subungual hyperkeratosis is the medical term for an overgrowth of skin under the nail
- Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed due to overgrown skin
- The paronychium is the soft tissue border around the nail
- The cuticle is a thin layer of skin that grows over the nail
The hyponychium is the thick skin under your nail
However, the hyponychium can sometimes overgrow and thicken, which can be uncomfortable and unsightly. This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis and can make trimming nails painful. Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU) is an uncommon condition and a common cause of hyponychium overgrowth. It occurs when the hyponychium attaches to the underside of the nail as it grows. While scientists don't fully understand PIU, they know it can be present from birth or acquired later.
There are several reasons why the hyponychium may overgrow. You're more likely to experience this if you get gel manicures, wear acrylic nails, or bite your nails. Nail psoriasis and fungal infections can also cause skin cells to accumulate under your fingernails. To treat hyponychium overgrowth, it is recommended to avoid certain types of manicures and consider switching to regular manicures. A doctor can prescribe topical corticosteroids or antifungal medication to manage skin thickening. Cuticle oil can also be applied to soften the thickened skin.
If you are experiencing hyponychium overgrowth, it is important to avoid cutting the skin in this area as it can be sensitive and painful. Instead, visit a dermatologist, especially if the skin is bleeding, discolored, swollen, or showing other signs of infection.
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Subungual hyperkeratosis is the medical term for an overgrowth of skin under the nail
The skin under your fingernails is called the hyponychium. This skin acts as a barrier to germs and debris, preventing them from getting under your nails. However, sometimes this skin can become overgrown and thicker than usual. This condition is known as subungual hyperkeratosis.
There are several factors that can contribute to the development of subungual hyperkeratosis. One common cause is nail psoriasis, a condition that can lead to skin cells accumulating under the fingernails. Fungal infections, such as onychomycosis, can also cause the nail and the skin beneath it to thicken. Additionally, getting gel manicures, wearing acrylic nails, or biting your nails can increase the likelihood of subungual hyperkeratosis.
In some rare cases, subungual hyperkeratosis has been associated with hemiplegia, a condition involving paralysis of one side of the body. For example, in one case study, a 64-year-old man with spastic hemiplegia presented with subungual hyperkeratosis affecting all five nails of his left hand. The authors proposed that the condition may have been related to altered microcirculation and increased minor trauma to the affected hand.
If you are experiencing subungual hyperkeratosis, it is important to consult a dermatologist, especially if the area is bleeding, discoloured, or swollen. Treatment options may include avoiding certain types of manicures, using topical corticosteroids, or applying creams or solutions to reduce symptoms and improve the appearance of the nails.
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Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed due to overgrown skin
The hyponychium is the thick skin under your nail. Sometimes, this skin can overgrow and become thicker, making it difficult to trim your nails. This condition is called subungual hyperkeratosis. If the skin becomes very thick, it can lead to onycholysis, which is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed.
Onycholysis is a common condition where the nail separates from the skin beneath it, or the nail bed. It usually occurs after an injury to the nail but can also be caused by fungi, yeast growth, or psoriasis. It is characterised by nails that peel away from their nail beds, with tough, thick nail beds, and an abnormal border between the pink and white areas of the nail. The white areas may be thicker or thinner in some places, and the nail may become discoloured, with a grey, green, purple, white, or yellow hue. Nails with onycholysis may also have dents or pits, crumble, or have haemorrhages underneath. While onycholysis is generally not painful, the condition that causes it may be irritating or uncomfortable.
If you have onycholysis, it is important to determine the underlying cause to resolve the issue. Treatment may involve cutting away the separated nail as it grows out, taking antifungal medications, or stopping the use of certain nail products. Keeping your nails short can help prevent them from catching on objects and pulling further off the nail bed. However, aggressive nail clipping is not recommended. It is also important to avoid biting your nails and to be careful when cleaning underneath them. Some tools, such as cuticle sticks or nail brushes, can break the skin and cause infections. Additionally, certain chemicals and products, such as nail polish, nail gloss, nail hardener, nail polish remover, and fake nails, can irritate the nails or the surrounding skin and should be avoided.
To prevent and manage onycholysis, it is crucial to maintain proper nail and hand care. This includes moisturising your hands and cuticles daily, avoiding harsh soaps and chemicals, and wearing gloves when cleaning, washing dishes, gardening, or working outdoors. It is also recommended to wear clean socks and comfortable, protective shoes, especially if you have onycholysis on your toenails.
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The paronychium is the soft tissue border around the nail
Hangnails are small pieces of torn skin at the root of the fingernail, or even toenails. They are a sign that the skin around the nails is lacking oil. Anything that causes dry skin, such as frequently washing hands, dry weather, and harsh chemicals, can deplete oil in the skin and contribute to hangnail growth. Manicuring or cutting the nail too short, nail biting, and picking at or cutting the cuticle can also lead to hangnails and infections. Hangnails can be treated at home by soaking the affected finger in clean, warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. The next step is to gently massage vitamin E oil, petroleum jelly, or mineral oil into the area. Finally, the hangnail can be gently clipped with sterile nail clippers or cuticle cutters to prevent it from catching on anything and to reduce the risk of infection.
Paronychia is an infection of the proximal and lateral fingernail and toenail folds, including the tissue that borders the root and sides of the nail. It is an inflammation of the skin around the nail, often due to bacteria or fungi. Acute paronychia is usually caused by direct or indirect trauma to the cuticle or nail fold, and may result from relatively minor events such as dishwashing, an injury from a splinter, nail biting, biting or picking at a hangnail, or an ingrown nail. Chronic paronychia is usually caused by a yeast infection of the soft tissues around the nail but can also be traced to a bacterial infection. If the infection is continuous, the cause is often fungal. Treatment typically involves antibiotics for bacterial infections and antifungals for fungal infections.
The hyponychium is the thick skin under the nail. It is located just beyond the distal end of the nail bed, near the fingertip. As a barrier from germs and debris, the hyponychium stops external substances from getting under the nails. The skin in this region contains white blood cells to help prevent infection. However, the hyponychium can overgrow and thicken, which can make trimming nails painful and undesirable in terms of aesthetics.
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The cuticle is a thin layer of skin that grows over the nail
The nail is a protective plate found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of primates, corresponding to the claws in other tetrapod animals. The part of the nail that we can see is called the "nail plate" and is made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin. The nail is firmly attached to the nail bed beneath it, and the skin bordering the lower end of the nail is called the proximal nail fold.
The cuticle is a thin, semi-circular layer of almost invisible dead skin cells that grows over the nail. It covers the back of the visible nail plate, forming a protective seal with the eponychium. The cuticle is the only living part of a nail, and it is sensitive as it contains nerve endings and blood vessels.
Hangnails are a common issue that arises when the skin around your fingernails lacks oil. They are small pieces of torn skin at the root of your fingernails, which can be painful and lead to infections. Hangnails are often caused by nail biting, nail picking, and manicuring or cutting the nail too short. To treat hangnails, it is recommended to soak the affected finger in warm water and gently clip the hangnail with sterile tools.
It is important to note that the cuticle should not be cut, even by a nail technician. Instead, it should be soaked in warm water and gently pushed back with a designated tool. Keeping the skin moisturized and making simple lifestyle changes can help prevent issues like hangnails and infections.
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Frequently asked questions
The skin under the fingernail is called the hyponychium.
A hangnail is a piece of cuticle skin that separates from the side of the fingernail.
Hangnails are caused by a lack of oil in the skin around the fingernails. This can be due to frequent handwashing, cold weather, harsh chemicals, biting nails, or picking at cuticles.
To treat a hangnail, soak the affected finger in warm water for 10-15 minutes, gently clip the hangnail with sterile nail clippers, and apply vitamin E oil, petroleum jelly, or mineral oil to the area.
