Caleb Foster
There are many reasons why your fingernails might hurt. Common causes of nail pain include injury, infection, and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Nails are strong, but it is possible to injure them when something heavy falls on them or when they get caught in a door. This can cause bruising or bleeding under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma, which can be very painful. In addition, certain habits such as nail biting, or getting acrylic nails can cause nail pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Causes | Nail infection, physical injury, nail biting, ingrown nails, fungal infection, nail deformities, inflammatory or infectious diseases, external objects, eczema, psoriasis, hangnails, nail fungus, hematoma, paronychia |
| Symptoms | Throbbing pain, discolouration, thickening, brittleness, redness, swelling, bleeding, bruising, nail lifting off the nail bed, nail separating from the nail bed, bump under the fingernail, red lines in nails, green nails |
| Treatment | Soaking the nail in water, wearing comfortable footwear, applying topical products, oral or topical antifungal medication, removing the nail, draining the hematoma, surgery, home remedies, prescription medication, leaving nails alone, removing hangnails with clean tools, keeping hands moisturized, avoiding harsh chemicals |
| Prevention | Stop nail biting, avoid artificial nails, practice good personal hygiene, wear protective gloves for wet tasks, avoid harsh chemicals, limit handling of chemicals |
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What You'll Learn
Fingernail injuries
If you experience a fingernail injury, you can care for it at home by soaking the injured nail in warm water for 20 minutes at a time. Keep your hands dry and warm, and keep your nails clean. Over-the-counter or at-home therapies can also help prevent nail fungus, which can cause discolouration, thickening, thinning, or flakiness of the nail.
If you have a hangnail, which is a loose bit of skin surrounding your fingernail, it is important to keep it clean by washing your hands with soap and water. You can also apply an antibiotic cream and cover the nail with a bandage. If a hangnail continues to hurt or does not heal after several days, see a doctor as it may be infected.
If you experience a serious injury to your nail, such as a broken bone in the finger or toe, seek medical advice. A doctor may prescribe medication or perform surgery to treat the underlying cause. If you have a hematoma, a doctor may drain it to relieve the pressure and reduce pain.
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Nail biting
The physical act of nail biting can cause damage to your nails and the surrounding skin. Repeated nail biting can lead to abnormal-looking nails and even stop nail growth. Additionally, it can create tiny cracks in the nails and cuts in the skin, providing an entry point for bacteria and increasing the risk of infection. Paronychia, a type of nail infection, can cause inflammation and affect the nail fold and cuticle. In severe cases, paronychia can lead to chronic infections and may require medical intervention.
To address nail biting, it is essential to identify the triggers that lead to the behaviour. Common triggers include stress, anxiety, boredom, and hunger. Once you know your triggers, you can develop strategies to cope with these feelings in healthier ways. For example, you can try squeezing a stress ball, playing with a fidget toy, or chewing gum instead of biting your nails. Keeping your nails trimmed short or coated with a bitter-tasting nail polish can also help reduce the urge to bite them.
If you are unable to break the nail-biting habit on your own, seeking professional help may be beneficial. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can address the psychological aspects of nail biting. Additionally, habit-reversal training can be combined with therapy for a comprehensive approach to breaking the habit.
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Hangnails
To prevent infection and promote healing, it is important to keep the area moisturized. Use a fragrance-free moisturizing cream or petroleum jelly to keep the skin around your nails hydrated. Early treatment is important, as hangnails can lead to worsening symptoms such as abscess formation or infection spreading up the finger. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, pain, warmth, and the presence of pus. If you notice these symptoms, seek medical attention, especially if the infection does not improve or worsens.
To prevent hangnails, it is important to keep the skin around your nails healthy and hydrated. Avoid biting your nails or picking at your cuticles, and try not to cut your cuticles or your nails too short. Moisturize your hands and cuticles daily and avoid using harsh soaps and chemicals.
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Ingrown nails
- Incorrectly cutting your nails, either by cutting them too short or rounding the corners. Nails should be trimmed straight across.
- Poorly fitting shoes that place too much pressure on the toes or pinch them.
- Trauma to the toe, such as banging or stubbing it.
- The shape of the toe, such as having a larger nail bed compared to the size of the toe.
- Participating in certain sports and activities, such as dancing, soccer, or skiing.
- Poor foot hygiene, such as not keeping your feet clean and dry.
People with diabetes or other conditions that affect blood flow to the feet are at a higher risk of developing ingrown toenails and experiencing complications. This is because diabetes can cause nerve damage and poor circulation in the feet, making it difficult to detect minor injuries or infections until they become more severe.
- Soaking the affected foot in warm water mixed with Epsom salt or soapy water twice daily.
- Gently lifting the edge of the nail and placing a small piece of cotton or dental floss between the nail and the skin to separate them.
- Applying an antibiotic or antifungal cream to the area and covering it with a bandage.
- Wearing comfortable and roomy shoes or sandals to reduce pressure on the toes.
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to manage pain.
However, it is important to seek medical attention if:
- Home remedies do not provide relief within a few days, or if symptoms worsen.
- There are signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge.
- You have severe nerve damage, poor circulation, or a nail infection.
- You have a fever or red streaks on your skin leading away from the infected area, as these indicate a severe infection.
- In rare cases, if the infection spreads through the toe and into the bone, surgical removal of the nail may be necessary.
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Nail infections
People who work with water, such as bartenders and dishwashers, have a higher risk of developing paronychia. This is because their hands are often wet, which irritates the skin and leads to a nail bed infection.
Symptoms of paronychia include pain, swelling and tenderness around the nail, redness, warmth, and pus that builds up under the skin. The nail can also become detached from the nail bed and fall off.
Paronychia is treated with antibiotics to kill the infection. Pus may also be drained, and the fluid cultured to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection.
Hangnails, which are loose bits of skin surrounding the fingernail, can also lead to nail infections. They are common in cold weather when the skin is drier. If a hangnail is pulled or torn, it can be painful and may become infected. It is important to keep the area clean and apply antibiotic cream if this occurs.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why your fingernails might hurt. The most common causes are injury, infection, and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.
A nail injury can cause bruising or bleeding under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma. This can happen when something heavy falls on your finger or when your finger gets caught in a door.
A nail infection can cause pain, throbbing, and swelling around the nail. It can also lead to discolouration, thickening, or flakiness of the nail.
If your fingernails hurt, you should try to identify the underlying cause. In the meantime, you can try home remedies such as soaking the nail in water, avoiding tight or ill-fitting footwear, and applying topical products. If the pain persists or you suspect an infection, you should contact your doctor.
