Caleb Foster
The creamy substance under your fingernails could be a number of things. It could be keratin debris from the underside of the nail, as well as skin cells from the nail bed. It could also be dirt, lint, or personal care products. In addition, bacterial infections can cause creamy substances to accumulate under the nails, which can lead to more serious conditions if left untreated. Keeping your nails short and washing your hands properly can help prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria under your nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | The creamy substance under your fingernails is most likely a build-up of keratin debris from the underside of the nail, as well as skin cells from the nail bed. |
| Other causes | Dirt, lint, personal care products, and bacteria can also accumulate under your nails. |
| Prevention | Keeping your nails short, washing your hands strategically, and using a moisturising oil instead of thick creams can help prevent the build-up. |
| Cleaning | It is recommended to use an orange stick to gently sweep beneath the nails for cleaning, instead of a nail brush, as brushes can harbour bacteria. |
| Colour | The colour of the substance can indicate various health conditions. For example, white nails can be a sign of trauma, anemia, dietary deficiencies, heart or kidney disease, or poisoning; yellow nails can indicate a fungal infection, thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes, or psoriasis; and nails with a bluish tint can mean the body isn't getting enough oxygen. |
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What You'll Learn
It's likely dirt, lint, or keratin debris
The creamy substance under your fingernails is likely a buildup of dirt, lint, or keratin debris. This can occur regardless of how thoroughly you wash your hands, as the subungual region under the nails resists washing and remains dark, providing an ideal site for bacterial growth.
Dermatologist Dana Stern notes that the "gunk" under your nails is usually harmless keratin debris from the underside of the nail, as well as skin cells from the nail bed. This keratin debris can be a result of nail psoriasis, which causes excess keratin to grow under the nail. Nail psoriasis can also lead to skin cells accumulating under your nails, a condition known as subungual hyperkeratosis.
Fungal infections, which are more common in toenails than fingernails, can also cause skin cells to build up under your nails. These infections thrive in warm, moist environments, so individuals who frequently have wet hands or feet are at a higher risk.
To prevent and remove the creamy substance from under your nails, try keeping your nails short and washing your hands strategically. Digging your nails into a bar of white soap in the shower can help pull out dirt and debris, and using a moisturising oil instead of thick creams can prevent trapping dirt. Soaking your hands in warm soapy water and then gently scraping your nails with a manicure tool or orange stick can also help remove the buildup.
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It could be a bacterial infection
The creamy substance under your fingernails could be a bacterial infection. While the "gunk" underneath your fingernails is usually harmless and caused by keratin debris, skin cells, dirt, lint, or personal care products, it can sometimes be an indication of bacteria. If the substance is green, this is a tell-tale sign of bacteria under your nails.
Bacterial infections can enter the skin through tiny cracks in the nails or small cuts in the skin, often caused by nail-biting or cuticle-picking. Paronychia, a bacterial nail infection, can develop when bacteria enter broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold, causing an infection. Symptoms of paronychia include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail, as well as skin that is red and warm to the touch. Pus may also build up under the skin, forming a white to yellow, pus-filled abscess that may require antibiotics or drainage.
Chronic paronychia is a long-term form of the infection that can develop if paronychia is left untreated or doesn't respond to treatment. It is characterized by inflammation, redness, tenderness, and swelling of the skin folds and tissues surrounding the nails. It is usually caused by irritants or allergens but can also be caused by a bacterial infection, such as the fungus Candida albicans. Chronic paronychia can be treated with topical steroids, antibiotic creams, or tablets.
To prevent bacterial infections under your fingernails, it is important to keep your nails short and maintain good hand hygiene. Avoid using a nail brush, as these can harbor bacteria, and instead, use an orange stick to gently sweep beneath your nails.
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It could be a fungal infection
The creamy substance under your fingernails could be a result of several factors, one of which is a fungal infection. This is a common issue that can cause discolouration and affect the texture of your nails.
Fungal nail infections, also known as onychomycosis, occur when a fungus infects the skin and nail bed. The infection can thicken the nail and the skin tissue beneath it, causing the nail to become crumbly. The most common type of fungal nail infection is distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (DSLO), which starts in the hyponychium (the skin just under the free edge of your nail) and then spreads to the nail plate and bed.
Fungal nail infections can be treated with antifungal medication, which may be prescribed by a doctor. In some cases, the infection can be cleared by taking a course of antifungal tablets. Keeping your nails short and maintaining good hand hygiene can also help to prevent and treat the infection.
In addition to fungal infections, there are several other potential causes of creamy substances under your fingernails. These include keratin debris, skin cells, dirt, lint, and personal care products. In some cases, the discolouration could be due to nail psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. If the creamy substance is accompanied by pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail, it could be a sign of an infection such as paronychia, which is caused by bacteria entering broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold.
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It could be psoriasis
The creamy substance under your nails could be due to a condition called nail psoriasis. Psoriasis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes your body to produce too many skin cells, resulting in thick, itchy, scaly patches on the skin. It can also affect your joints and nails, with changes in nail structure including grooves or pits in the nails, crumbling, roughness, and nail bed separation.
Nail psoriasis specifically refers to the form of psoriasis that affects the nails on your fingers and toes. It is characterised by small pits forming on your fingernails or toenails, which can vary in number and depth. In addition, the nails can become thicker due to a fungal infection called onychomycosis, or the development of a chalky substance called subungual hyperkeratosis. The thick layer of skin underneath the nail may also start to peel and slowly separate from the nail bed, a process known as onycholysis.
While anyone can develop nail psoriasis, certain factors increase your likelihood. These include being over 40 years old, having psoriasis or a family history of it, and having psoriatic arthritis. It is worth noting that nail psoriasis typically appears in conjunction with a psoriatic rash on other parts of the body, but in rare cases, the nails may be the only affected area.
If you suspect you have nail psoriasis, it is important to consult a dermatologist or healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Treatment options include corticosteroid injections or topical creams, ointments, or nail polish. Laser therapy and oral medications may also be recommended in more severe cases.
To manage the symptoms of nail psoriasis, you can try home remedies such as aloe vera gel, which has anti-inflammatory properties, or capsaicin creams or ointments. Keeping your nails clean and dry, moisturising your nails and cuticles, and avoiding nail-biting or cuticle-picking can also help prevent infections and flares.
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It could be a sign of an underlying health condition
The creamy substance under your fingernails could be a build-up of keratin debris, skin cells, dirt, lint, or personal care products. However, if the substance is green, it indicates bacteria under your nails. While this is harmless, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition.
Fingernail or toenail abnormalities are often indicative of an infection or injury. In some cases, they can be a sign of more serious underlying conditions. For instance, if your nails are half white and half brown, this could be a sign of kidney failure, where the kidneys stop functioning properly. It is estimated that up to 40% of people with kidney failure have such 'half-and-half' fingernails.
Changes in nail colour, texture, shape, or thickness can also be indicative of certain health conditions. For example, white nails, known as leukonychia, can be the result of trauma, anaemia, dietary deficiencies, heart or kidney disease, or even poisoning. If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this could be a sign of liver problems, such as hepatitis.
Yellow nails are commonly caused by a fungal infection, but in rare cases, they can indicate severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes, or psoriasis. Nails with a bluish tint may suggest that the body is not getting enough oxygen, which could be due to a lung problem like emphysema.
Additionally, if the nail surface is rippled or pitted, it may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Discolouration of the nail, with a reddish-brown hue, is often associated with psoriasis. Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have also been linked to thyroid disease.
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Frequently asked questions
The creamy substance under your fingernails could be a build-up of keratin debris, skin cells, dirt, lint, or personal care products. It is usually harmless but can sometimes be a bacterial or fungal infection.
To get rid of the creamy stuff under your nails, keep them short, wash your hands thoroughly, and use an orange stick to gently sweep beneath them.
Nail infections can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. They can also be caused by underlying skin conditions or frequent exposure to water.
Symptoms of a nail infection include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail, skin that is red and warm to the touch, and pus buildup under the skin. If you suspect an infection, consult a healthcare provider.
Mild nail infections can be treated at home by soaking the infected area in warm water several times a day. More severe infections may require antibiotics or minor procedures such as drainage.
