Sophia Delgado
Cutting your nails is a routine part of personal grooming, but it can sometimes lead to an unexpected issue: extra skin left behind. This skin, known as the hyponychium, is located just under the free edge of your nail and acts as a protective barrier against germs and debris. However, it can become overgrown and thicker, leading to concerns about its appearance and functionality. Overgrown hyponychium can result from various factors, including nail biting, certain manicure practices, and underlying skin conditions. Addressing this issue involves proper nail care, moisturization, and, in more severe cases, medical evaluation to prevent infection and maintain nail health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the skin under the nail | Hyponychium |
| Location | Skin just under the free edge of the nail, located just beyond the distal end of the nail bed, near the fingertip |
| Functions | Acts as a barrier from germs and debris, preventing external substances from getting under the nails |
| Overgrowth causes | Frequent gel manicures, wearing acrylic nails, biting nails, nail psoriasis, fungal infections, lupus, eczema, etc. |
| Overgrowth treatment | Consult a dermatologist, antifungal medication, cuticle oil, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Hyponychium (under-fingernail skin) thickening
The hyponychium is the thick skin under your nail tip. It can overgrow and thicken, making it uncomfortable to trim your nails. Hyponychium thickening can affect one, some, or all of the fingers.
There are several causes of hyponychium thickening. Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU) is an uncommon condition but a common cause of hyponychium overgrowth. It occurs when the hyponychium attaches to the underside of the nail as it grows. The acquired form of PIU is associated with autoimmune conditions such as lupus but can also be triggered by external factors such as nail psoriasis and fungal infections. Nail psoriasis involves many parts of the nail and can cause skin cells to accumulate under your fingernails.
Another cause of hyponychium thickening is onychomycosis, a fungal infection that infects the fingernail. It can thicken both the nail and the skin tissue beneath it. The most common form is distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (DSLO), which starts in the hyponychium and then spreads to the nail plate and bed.
Gel manicures, acrylic nails, and nail biting can also lead to hyponychium thickening. In some cases, the thickening may be related to the chemicals in the gel, though this is not yet proven.
Hyponychium thickening can be treated in several ways. Antifungal medication can be used to treat thick skin caused by a fungal infection. Topical corticosteroids can help manage skin thickening caused by nail psoriasis. It is not recommended to cut the hyponychium, as this can introduce an infection. Instead, a cuticle remover or cuticle oil can be used to soften the thickened skin, which can then be gently pushed back.
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Paronychia (nail infection)
Paronychia is a bacterial or fungal skin infection that develops around the nail. It is caused by bacteria or fungi entering broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold, resulting in inflammation and infection. The cuticle is the skin at the base of the nail, and the nail fold is where the skin and nail come together. Paronychia usually results from Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria, but it can also be caused by fungi such as Candida albicans.
Anyone can get a bacterial nail infection, but certain factors increase the risk. These include frequent exposure to water or chemicals, underlying skin conditions, nail biting or picking, and certain medications. People who work with water or chemicals without protective gloves, such as bartenders, dishwashers, and those with wet work environments, are at higher risk. Nail biting or picking can create tiny cracks or cuts in the nails or skin, providing an entry point for bacteria or fungi. Additionally, some medications, such as retinoids, anti-cancer drugs, HIV medications, and specific antibiotics, have been associated with paronychia.
The symptoms of paronychia include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail. The skin may appear red and feel warm to the touch. Pus can build up under the skin, forming a white to yellow, pus-filled abscess. If left untreated, the nail can detach from the nail bed, grow abnormally, and exhibit discoloration, dryness, and brittleness.
Paronychia is typically treated with antibiotics to kill the infection. In cases of pus accumulation, healthcare providers may drain the infectious fluid and culture it to identify the specific bacteria or fungi responsible. Mild cases of paronychia can be treated at home by soaking the affected area in warm water and applying lemon and salt. Antifungal medications may be prescribed if a fungal infection is the underlying cause of chronic paronychia.
There are two types of paronychia: acute and chronic. Acute paronychia develops rapidly, with symptoms appearing over a few hours or days and resolving within six weeks of treatment. On the other hand, chronic paronychia has a slower onset, and symptoms may last for weeks or longer. It is more commonly caused by prolonged exposure to irritants or, less frequently, by chronic bacterial or fungal infections.
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Overgrown cuticles
One of the main causes of overgrown cuticles is a lack of cuticle maintenance. When left unattended, cuticles can grow and cover parts of the proximal nail, which is the skin located at the base of your nail plate. Cuticle overgrowth can cause the cuticles to split, allowing bacteria and dirt to enter your nail bed and cause an infection. This condition is known as paronychia and is characterised by pain, redness, nail discolouration, and swelling.
To treat and prevent overgrown cuticles, it is important to practice good cuticle care. Avoid cutting your cuticles, as this can lead to infection. Instead, gently push back the cuticle overgrowth using a cuticle stick. Soaking your nails in warm, soapy water can help soften the cuticles, making them easier to manage. After drying your nails, apply a few drops of olive oil, cuticle oil, or essential oil to your nails and cuticles, and massage it into your skin.
In some cases, overgrown cuticles may be caused by underlying medical conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or allergic contact dermatitis. Chronic stress may also be a contributing factor, as it can affect the growth and shedding cycles of the stratum corneum, leading to excess cuticle tissue. If you suspect that your overgrown cuticles are related to a medical condition or chronic stress, it is recommended to seek advice from a healthcare professional.
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Onycholysis (nail separation)
Onycholysis is a common nail disorder in which the nail separates from the nail bed. It is usually painless but can be painful if acute or inflammatory. Onycholysis typically only affects one nail, and it generally lasts for several months or over a year. It is most frequently seen in adult women.
The condition is often the result of trauma or injury to the nail or the area where the nails start to grow (nail matrix). This trauma could be caused by bumping or hitting nails, wearing ill-fitting shoes, keeping nails submerged in water for too long, or even getting regular manicures. Onycholysis can also be caused by fungal infections, which occur when fungi get between the nail and the nail bed, usually through cracks or cuts in the finger or toe. Nails become thick and yellow, and they may show white spots and streaks.
Fungal infections can be treated with a mixture of tea tree oil diluted with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil. It is important to keep the nail dry while it heals. In addition, antifungal medications may be required. Onycholysis can also be caused by an injury, nail psoriasis, or a reaction to medication or chemical products like nail polish, nail gloss, nail hardener, nail polish remover, and fake nails.
Onycholysis may also be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as thyroid disease, vitamin deficiency, or psoriasis. In such cases, treating the underlying cause is the best course of action. While onycholysis does not cause pain, the condition that causes it might.
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Moisturising and manicuring cuticles
The cuticle is the skin at the base of your nail. Cuticles are living parts of the skin that help protect your nails from bacterial and fungal infections. When the cuticle becomes dry and cracked, it can detach from the nail, leaving the nail vulnerable to damage and infection. Therefore, it is important to keep your cuticles moisturised and healthy.
Before moisturising, prep your cuticles by soaking your fingers in lukewarm water for 10 to 15 minutes to make them soft and pliable. Then, gently push back your cuticles. Do not use a metal tool or cuticle clippers for this step, as this can cause tiny cracks in the nails or cuts in the skin, leading to potential infections. Instead, use an orange stick to gently push back your cuticles.
To moisturise your cuticles, avoid using your everyday hand or body lotion, as these products are not designed for the delicate skin of the cuticle. Instead, opt for a product specifically formulated for cuticles, such as a cuticle cream containing citric acids or natural moisturisers like petroleum, glycerin, shea butter, or safflower seed oil. You can also use any leftover hand cream or moisturiser from your hands and rub it into your cuticles. Dermatologists recommend using thick moisturising products, such as ointments or creams, for the best results.
If you wish to remove your cuticles, it is important to do so safely. Avoid cutting live skin, as this can be painful and lead to issues such as infection or bleeding. Instead, opt for a dry manicure, which involves cutting away dead, dry skin and cuticles without rehydrating them first. This allows you to easily identify the live skin and avoid accidentally cutting it.
By following these steps for moisturising and manicuring your cuticles, you can maintain healthy and protected nails while achieving a well-manicured look.
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Frequently asked questions
Extra skin can be left when cutting nails due to overgrowth of the hyponychium, the thick skin under the nail tip. This can be caused by gel manicures, acrylic nails, or nail-biting.
It is not recommended to cut the hyponychium as this can introduce infection. Instead, visit a dermatologist, especially if the skin is bleeding, discoloured, or swollen.
To prevent extra skin, practice good cuticle care. Soak nails in warm, soapy water to soften cuticles, then use a cuticle stick to gently push back the cuticle overgrowth.
Cutting the extra skin risks introducing an infection. Bacteria may enter the skin through small cuts created by nail-biting or picking at the cuticles.
