Liam Carter
The skin under your fingernails is called the hyponychium, and it acts as a barrier to protect your nails from germs and debris. However, sometimes the hyponychium can become overgrown, leading to thickened skin under the nails. This condition is known as Pterygium Inversum Unguis (PIU) and can be caused by various factors, including nail-biting, manicures, and underlying medical conditions. Changes in the colour, texture, or shape of your nails can indicate underlying health issues, and it is important to consult a dermatologist if you notice any unusual symptoms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Hyponychium |
| Location | Under the free edge of the nail, beyond the distal end of the nail bed, near the fingertip |
| Function | Acts as a barrier from germs and debris, preventing them from getting under the nails |
| Composition | Contains white blood cells to prevent infection |
| Conditions | Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU), nail psoriasis, fungal infections, onycholysis, paronychia, acral lentiginous melanoma, koilonychia, onychotillomania, clubbing, melanonychia |
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What You'll Learn
The hyponychium is the skin under your fingernail
The hyponychium is the thick skin under your fingernail, located near the fingertip. It acts as a barrier to protect your nail unit from harmful bacteria, germs, allergens, pathogens and debris. The skin in this region contains white blood cells to help prevent infection.
However, the hyponychium can sometimes thicken and overgrow, causing discomfort and making it difficult to trim your nails. This can be caused by several factors, including gel manicures, wearing acrylic nails, nail biting, nail psoriasis, and fungal infections. In some cases, it may be related to an underlying condition, such as lupus, or an allergic reaction.
If you experience hyponychium overgrowth, it is important to practice good nail hygiene and avoid picking at the skin. You can try softening the thickened skin with a cuticle remover or oil and gently pushing it back. If the issue persists or becomes discoloured, swollen, or bleeds, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist.
While the hyponychium is a less commonly known part of our bodies, it plays a critical role in protecting our nails and the delicate areas beneath them.
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Skin under the nail can thicken due to nail psoriasis
The skin under your fingernails is called the hyponychium. It acts as a barrier to prevent germs and debris from getting under your nails. However, the hyponychium can sometimes overgrow and thicken, which can be unsightly and make trimming nails painful. One cause of this overgrowth is nail psoriasis.
Nail psoriasis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system overreacts, causing new skin cells to grow too quickly. This can lead to an overgrowth of skin cells under the nail, known as subungual hyperkeratosis. This condition can cause the skin under the nail to thicken and may result in the nail plate separating from the nail bed (onycholysis).
Nail psoriasis can cause a range of symptoms, including pitting, detachment of the nail, skin cells accumulating under the nail, discolouration, and fungal infection (onychomycosis). The skin underneath the nails may change colour, with salmon patches or oil drop spots appearing yellow, red, pink, or brown. Nails may also become thin and crumbly, with grooves running horizontally across them (Beau's lines).
If you suspect you have nail psoriasis, it is important to consult a dermatologist, who can examine your nails and determine the best course of treatment. Treatment options for nail psoriasis include corticosteroid injections, phototherapy, laser therapy, and various home remedies such as aloe vera gel, capsaicin creams, Dead Sea salt soaks, and turmeric.
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It can also be caused by fungal infections
The skin under your fingernail is called the hyponychium. It acts as a barrier to protect your nails from germs and debris. However, the hyponychium can sometimes overgrow, leading to thickened skin under your fingernails. This condition is known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, and it is caused by a fungal infection.
Fungal nail infections are commonly caused by fungi that exist in the environment, such as those responsible for jock itch, athlete's foot, and ringworm. These fungi enter through small cracks in your nail or the surrounding skin, leading to an infection. The most common type of fungal nail infection is distal subungual infection, which can affect both fingernails and toenails. It causes the outer edge of the nail to appear jagged, with white and/or yellow streaks.
Fungal nail infections can also be caused by Candida yeasts, which tend to affect the fingernails more commonly. Candida yeast infections often occur in individuals who frequently soak their hands in water. These infections usually begin with the cuticle becoming swollen, red, and tender, and can lead to the nail lifting off or falling off completely.
It is important to note that nail changes, such as discolouration, texture changes, or curvature, can sometimes be a sign of an underlying disease. Therefore, if you notice any unusual changes to your nails, it is recommended to consult a board-certified dermatologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Treatment for fungal nail infections typically involves the use of antifungal medications, which can be in the form of tablets or special nail paint applied directly to the nail. In more severe cases, laser treatment or surgical removal of the affected nail may be recommended. However, it is important to consult a medical professional to determine the most appropriate treatment option for your specific condition.
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Biting your nails can lead to small pieces of torn skin at the root
Biting your nails can have several negative consequences for your health, and it can also lead to small pieces of torn skin at the root of your nails. This torn skin is known as a hangnail. While the name suggests that a hangnail is a piece of nail that is hanging off, it is actually a piece of cuticle skin.
Hangnails can be caused by a variety of factors, including dry skin, cold and dry weather, harsh chemicals, and nail-biting. The skin around the nails can become dry and cracked due to these factors, and nail-biting can further irritate and damage the skin. In addition, biting your nails can introduce harmful bacteria and viruses from your mouth to your fingers, increasing the risk of infection.
Hangnails can be a nuisance and cause discomfort, swelling, redness, and tenderness. They can also lead to more serious issues, such as paronychia, an infection of the tissue around the nail. This infection can cause pain, warmth, and pus-filled abscesses. To prevent and treat hangnails, it is important to keep the skin moisturized and avoid biting or picking at the nails and cuticles.
If you struggle with a nail-biting habit, there are several strategies you can use to stop. These include keeping your nails trimmed short, applying bitter-tasting nail polish, and finding alternative ways to keep your hands busy, such as using a stress ball or fidget toy. Identifying your triggers and gradually breaking the habit, one nail at a time, can also be effective.
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Discoloured skin under the nail can be a sign of disease
Discoloured skin under the nail can be harmless, but it can also be a sign of disease. It is important to see a board-certified dermatologist if you notice any changes.
Yellow Nails
Yellow nails can be caused by a fungal infection, the overuse of nail polish, or an underlying medical condition. In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate a more serious condition such as severe thyroid disease, lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or psoriasis.
White Nails
White nails, or leukonychia, can be the result of trauma, anemia, dietary deficiencies, heart or kidney disease, or even poisoning. If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis.
Greenish-Black Nails
A nail infection caused by bacteria can turn the nail greenish-black. Without treatment, this type of infection tends to worsen. Treatment can help clear the infection and reduce pain and tenderness.
Black or Brown Nails
The term for dark pigmentation of the nails is melanonychia. The discoloration can be a natural occurrence in people with dark skin, but it can also indicate health issues such as skin cancer, infection, or injury. Melanonychia can also be caused by inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis, lichen planus, and amyloidosis, which lead to melanocyte activation.
Bluish Nails
Bluish nails can mean the body isn't getting enough oxygen, indicating a lung problem such as emphysema, or a heart problem.
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Frequently asked questions
The skin under your fingernail is called the hyponychium. It acts as a barrier to germs and debris, preventing them from getting under your nails.
There are several reasons why skin grows under the fingernail. It could be due to an overgrowth of the hyponychium, which can be caused by nail-biting, gel manicures, or acrylic nails. It could also be the result of a fungal nail infection or nail psoriasis.
Thick skin under the fingernails, known as hyponychium thickening, can be a sign of an underlying condition such as psoriasis or a fungal infection. It may also be associated with autoimmune disorders or, in rare cases, indicate a more severe condition.
If you notice skin under your fingernails, it is advisable to avoid picking at it and consult a dermatologist, especially if there is bleeding, discolouration, or swelling. A dermatologist can help diagnose and treat any underlying conditions and provide guidance on nail care.
Yes, skin under the fingernails can be prevented by maintaining proper nail care habits. This includes avoiding nail-biting, gel manicures, and acrylic nails, which can contribute to the overgrowth of the hyponychium. Keeping your nails and cuticles moisturised can also help prevent hangnails, which are small pieces of torn skin at the root of the fingernails.
