Ava Monroe
Overgrown cuticles are a common nail concern. Cuticles are a protective barrier for the nail matrix, the part of the nail that grows. When the proximal nail fold is cut or damaged, it will thicken to protect itself, which may be mistaken for cuticle overgrowth. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including medical issues like psoriasis, eczema, and allergic contact dermatitis, or even nutritional supplements marketed for nail growth. To maintain healthy cuticles, dermatologists recommend regular moisturization with thick products like ointments or creams, or natural oils.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for overgrown cuticles | Lack of cuticle maintenance, skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, allergic contact dermatitis, stress, and vitamin supplements |
| Cuticle care | Moisturize with ointments, creams, or petroleum jelly, use vinyl gloves when washing dishes or clothes, avoid biting nails or cuticles, gently push back cuticles with a cuticle pusher, soak nails in water before pushing back |
| Proximal nail fold | Living skin at the base of the fingernail that can thicken to protect itself when cut or damaged, often mistaken for cuticle overgrowth |
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What You'll Learn
The proximal nail fold is not the cuticle
The proximal nail fold is the skin that borders the bottom of your nail plate. It is a protective band of skin that keeps the nail in place and protects it as it grows. The fold is connected to the cuticle, which is attached to the nail. Together, the fold and cuticle prevent germs and bacteria from entering the skin.
The proximal nail fold is often mistaken for the cuticle, which is the thin layer of dead tissue that sits on the nail plate. The cuticle is the flap of skin on your nail plate that you can push back or cut with cuticle scissors. The proximal nail fold, on the other hand, is live skin that should not be cut or trimmed as it can increase the risk of infection or inflammation.
The confusion between the two may arise because the proximal nail fold can be pushed back, and some people trim it. However, this is not recommended as it serves an important protective function. Instead, it can be gently pushed back with a cuticle pusher to prevent overgrowth into the nail fold.
To maintain healthy proximal nail folds, it is important to keep them well-hydrated. This can be done by applying cuticle oil or cream, or by using a moisturising hand cream or coconut oil.
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Medical issues like psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis
Several medical issues can cause cuticles to grow over the nails, including psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
Psoriasis
Nail psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the nails on your fingers and toes. It causes discoloration, pitting, and changes in the shape of your nails. It is characterized by the rapid reproduction of skin cells, which can lead to new skin cells growing over the nails. Typically, new skin cells grow every 28 to 30 days, but in people with nail psoriasis, new cells can move to the skin surface in as little as three to four days. This rapid growth can lead to a buildup of skin cells, causing the cuticles to grow over the nails. Nail psoriasis is often accompanied by a psoriatic rash on other parts of the body and is commonly found in individuals with a history of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.
Eczema
Nail eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition that can affect the nails. It causes discoloration, grooving, pitting, and thinning of the nails. Eczema usually occurs in individuals who have eczema elsewhere on the body. It can cause changes to the nails, including pitting, which appears as dents or grooves on the nail surface. Treatment for nail eczema typically involves a combination of lifestyle changes, such as avoiding triggering products and keeping hands dry, as well as the use of medications such as topical steroids.
Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a general term for skin inflammation and can include various conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis. When dermatitis affects the nails, it can cause similar symptoms to those seen in nail eczema, including pitting, grooving, and thinning of the nails. Treatment for nail dermatitis depends on the specific type of dermatitis and usually involves identifying and avoiding triggers, as well as using medications to control inflammation and symptoms.
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Vitamin supplements for hair and nail growth
Cuticles growing over nails can be due to various reasons, including a lack of cuticle maintenance, certain medical issues like psoriasis, eczema, or allergic contact dermatitis, and individual factors that affect the balance between the proliferation and shedding cycles of the stratum corneum. While proper cuticle care is essential, addressing the underlying causes with the help of a healthcare professional is crucial for effective management.
Now, let's discuss vitamin supplements for hair and nail growth:
Vitamin supplements have been touted as a way to promote hair and nail growth, but it's important to understand that individual results may vary. Some commonly marketed ingredients include biotin, a B vitamin that supports keratin production, and omega-3 DHA, which has some research supporting its role in hair growth. However, the evidence for biotin's effectiveness in promoting hair and nail growth is limited. Other nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin D, iron, and zinc are also important for hair and nail health. For example, vitamin C is essential for collagen production, which is a structural protein in the skin, hair, and nails, and vitamin D plays a role in new hair follicle growth. Iron is crucial for carrying oxygen to the hair follicles, and its deficiency is linked to hair shedding and thinning.
When choosing vitamin supplements, it's essential to do your research and consult a healthcare professional, especially if you're taking other supplements or medications or are pregnant or nursing. The effectiveness of supplements can vary, and robust studies are needed to confirm their benefits. Consistency is key when taking supplements, and it's important to address any nutrient deficiencies that may impact your hair and nail health. Some recommended supplements include Ritual, which contains iron, folate, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids, and Pure Encapsulation's Hair/Skin/Nails Ultra, which includes biotin, zinc, vitamin C, and collagen. OMI's supplement with B vitamins, niacin, and zinc is also clinically tested to boost hair growth and enhance nail strength. Mary Ruth's Liquid Multivitamin + Hair Growth supplement, packed with vitamin C, is another popular choice.
In addition to supplements, maintaining a vitamin-rich diet is essential for supporting hair, skin, and nail health in the long term. While supplements can help replenish nutrient gaps, a well-balanced diet provides the foundation for optimal health and beauty.
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Stress and picking at cuticles
Stress is a common trigger for skin picking, and this includes picking at cuticles. Skin picking disorder, also known as dermatillomania, is a recognised mental health condition related to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). People with dermatillomania may have differences in the area of their brain that controls how they learn habits.
When we are stressed, our bodies release cortisol, a stress hormone that triggers the "fight or flight" response, causing our heart rate to increase, our breathing to quicken, and our muscles to tense up. In modern life, we often can't fight or flee from stressors, so we may turn to coping mechanisms like picking at our cuticles. Picking at cuticles can provide a temporary sense of relief from anxiety and worry, giving us something else to focus on. It can become an unconscious habit that is difficult to stop.
If you are prone to picking at your cuticles when idle or stressed, try keeping your hands busy with a stress ball, fidget toy, or handicrafts such as knitting or beading. These activities can redirect your nervous energy and provide an alternative form of self-soothing. It is important to identify your triggers and develop healthier coping strategies to manage your anxiety.
If you are struggling to stop picking your cuticles, you may benefit from therapy or medical treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can teach you coping strategies and help you become more aware of your behaviours so that you can break the habit. Group therapy, peer support, and acceptance and commitment therapy are other options that can provide support and teach positive coping mechanisms. In some cases, your doctor may recommend medication to help control your skin-picking behaviour.
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Cuticle maintenance and care
Cuticles are the thin films of dead skin that gather around the bed of our nails. They act as a protectant for nail growth and protect your nails from deformation. Cuticle growth varies from person to person and depends on the balance between the proliferation or growth and the shedding cycles of the stratum corneum. For some people, medical issues like psoriasis, eczema, and allergic contact dermatitis can cause an overgrowth of cuticle skin.
If you are experiencing overgrowth, it is important to care for the entire nail area and keep it clean so that your nails stay healthy. Cuticle maintenance and care include:
- Keeping them well-hydrated: Use cuticle oil or moisturizer to hydrate them. It’s safe to apply daily.
- Gently pushing them back: Before pushing back the cuticles, dampen them. Soak your nails in warm water for about 10 minutes and apply a nail or cuticle oil to the area to make them more manageable. Then, use a gentle cuticle pusher to push back the cuticles along the nail bed.
- Trimming excess skin: Trim excess skin and hangnails but never cut off the entire cuticle.
- Avoiding picking at your cuticles: If you have a hangnail, carefully remove it with tweezers or clippers, instead of picking, ripping, or biting it off.
- Avoiding harsh nail polishes and removers: Use an acetone-free formula for a nail polish remover.
- Keeping your nails clean: This prevents infection. The easiest way to do this is to soak your hands or feet in soapy, warm water for around 10 minutes every few days.
- Keeping your nails trimmed and smooth: Use a nail file to smooth out rough edges.
- Strengthening your nails: Apply a nail hardener to help strengthen nails.
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Frequently asked questions
Cuticles may grow over your nails due to a lack of cuticle maintenance. Dermatologists advise against cutting your cuticles as it may lead to nail problems and infections. Instead, you should gently push them back with a cuticle pusher after soaking your nails in water for about 10 minutes.
Overgrown cuticles can be caused by a variety of factors, including medical issues like psoriasis, eczema, and allergic contact dermatitis. Additionally, certain vitamins and supplements marketed for hair and nail growth may cause cuticles to grow faster than usual.
To maintain healthy cuticles, it is important to keep them well-hydrated and moisturized. You can use ointments, creams, or petroleum jelly to moisturize your cuticles. Regular lubrication of the hands, nails, and cuticles is recommended. It is also advised to wear vinyl gloves when washing dishes or clothes to protect your cuticles from the drying effects of water.
