Liam Carter
Fingertips can be sensitive, and cutting nails too short can cause pain by exposing the nerve endings in the skin. This can lead to various conditions, such as paronychia, which is characterised by swelling, redness, and tenderness around the nail. Hangnails, small pieces of ripped skin near the cuticles, can also cause throbbing pain and increase the risk of infection if left untreated. Ingrown nails, fungal infections, and in more severe cases, tumours under the nail can also be potential causes of fingernail pain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of pain | Cutting into the 'quick' or the layer of living skin that generates the nail, exposing sensitive skin and nerve endings |
| Nail infections | Bacteria entering an injury on the cuticle, nail bed, or finger, causing redness, swelling, and pain |
| Ingrown nails | Clipping or biting nails too close to the nail bed, causing pain when pressure is applied |
| Paronychia | Acute: throbbing pain, redness, warmth, and swelling; Chronic: less dramatic symptoms but may require antifungal medication |
| Treatment | Proper treatment for acute paronychia includes draining any pus and applying antibiotic cream; chronic paronychia may require several weeks of antifungal medication |
| Prevention | Be gentle when manicuring nails, avoid cutting or pushing back cuticles, and keep the nail area dry |
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What You'll Learn
Nerve endings in the skin under the nail are sensitive to touch
The skin under your nails is packed with nerve endings, just like the rest of your hands. These nerve endings are usually covered by your nails, so they are not used to being touched and are therefore highly sensitive to it. When you cut your nails too short, you expose this sensitive skin, and it can hurt.
Nerve endings are present throughout our bodies and are integral to our sensory systems. They are responsible for detecting various stimuli, such as touch, temperature, and pain, and transmitting this information to the brain for processing. In the case of the skin under our nails, these nerve endings are typically shielded by the nails themselves, which are made of a tough protein called keratin. Keratin is a type of dead cell tissue, so cutting nails does not usually cause pain until you reach the sensitive skin beneath.
The skin under the nails, known as the nail bed, is particularly rich in nerve endings. These nerve endings are a part of our peripheral nervous system and play a crucial role in our sense of touch. They help us perceive sensations and provide important feedback about our environment. For example, they can alert us to the presence of foreign objects or help us gauge the pressure we exert when touching or grasping objects.
When you cut your nails too short, you expose the nail bed, leaving these sensitive nerve endings unprotected. Even the slightest touch or pressure can then stimulate these nerve endings, resulting in a painful sensation. It's important to be mindful of this sensitivity and avoid cutting your nails too close to the nail bed. Doing so can not only cause immediate pain but may also increase the risk of infection or other nail-related issues, such as ingrown nails.
Additionally, it's worth noting that the skin surrounding the nail bed, known as the cuticle, is also delicate and susceptible to injury. Nail-biting or aggressive manicuring can damage the cuticle, leading to infections and further pain. Therefore, it's essential to handle your nails with care and ensure proper nail hygiene to maintain healthy and pain-free nails.
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Cutting nails too short increases the risk of infection
Cutting your nails too short can expose the sensitive skin beneath, which is not usually touched and is therefore more susceptible to pain and infection. This skin has many nerve endings, which, when exposed, can cause throbbing pain.
The nail is made up of dead cells called keratin. When you cut your nails, you do not feel pain until you reach the layer of living skin that generates the nail. This layer is called the 'quick', and it contains blood vessels and pain-sensing nerve fibres. If you cut into this layer, the wound will bleed and be painful.
Cutting your nails too short can increase the risk of a paronychia, a nail infection that causes throbbing pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in the skin around the nail. In some cases, a small collection of pus forms under the skin next to or underneath the nail. An acute paronychia usually heals within 5 to 10 days with proper treatment. However, a chronic paronychia may require several weeks of antifungal medication. Even after successful treatment, a paronychia may return if the skin is injured again or if the nail area is not kept dry.
To reduce the risk of infection, it is important to be gentle when manicuring your nails. Avoid cutting or pushing back your cuticles, as this can also increase the risk of infection.
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Hematoma occurs when blood gathers under the nail, causing pain
Fingertips can become painful after cutting nails too short, exposing the sensitive skin underneath. This skin has many nerve endings, which are usually covered by the nail and are therefore not accustomed to being touched. As a result, when you cut your nails too short, these nerve endings are exposed, causing pain.
In addition, cutting nails too short can lead to a subungual hematoma, which is when blood gathers under the nail. This can be caused by cutting into the 'quick', the layer of living skin that generates the nail. If you cut into the lower layer (dermis), you can encounter blood vessels, leading to a hematoma.
A subungual hematoma is characterised by intense pain and throbbing as blood collects and puts pressure on the area between the nail and the nail bed. This type of injury usually occurs when the nail is crushed or suffers a severe blow. Unless there are accompanying broken bones or damage to the surrounding tissues, a subungual hematoma is typically not a cause for major concern.
If you experience a subungual hematoma, you can try home remedies such as icing and elevating the affected area to reduce swelling, as well as taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatories for minor pain. However, if the pain is severe or persistent, it is recommended to seek medical attention. A doctor may perform a procedure called decompression or trephination to drain the hematoma and relieve the pressure and pain.
It is important to note that if you have not experienced any trauma to the nail but still observe a darkened area underneath, it is advisable to consult a doctor to rule out other possible causes.
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Hangnails can be painful and lead to infection if torn
Hangnails are tiny, painful pieces of skin next to a fingernail. They can be prevented by keeping your skin moisturized. However, if you do get a hangnail, it is important to not bite, rip, or pull it off. Doing so may tear the skin, causing bleeding, discomfort, and infection. Biting your hangnail can introduce bacteria from your mouth to the area, which can lead to an infection. Similarly, ripping your hangnail can increase pain and tear live tissue.
If you have an infected hangnail, you should soak the affected finger in clean, warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also massage vitamin E oil, petroleum jelly, or mineral oil into the area. Once the hangnail is soft, gently clip it with sterile nail clippers, cuticle cutters, or small scissors. After trimming, apply an antibiotic cream to the hangnail and wrap your finger in a bandage. You can also apply ice to the affected area to reduce inflammation. If the infection persists for more than a week, talk to your healthcare provider.
Hangnail infections are also known as paronychia, which is an infection between the nail and the skin. It can cause throbbing pain, redness, warmth, and swelling in the skin around a nail. In some cases, a small collection of pus may form under the skin next to the nail or underneath the nail itself. Paronychia can be treated with antifungal or antibiotic creams.
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Ingrown nails can cause pain when pressing on the nail
Fingertips can be sensitive, and cutting your nails too short can expose the sensitive skin underneath, causing pain. This pain can be caused by nociceptors, the cells that send pain signals, which, unlike thermoreceptors, do not adapt to the stimulus over time. Therefore, they will always send a pain signal when triggered.
If the nail is torn or cracked, this can also cause pain when pressing on the nail, as the nail bed is exposed. New skin will eventually grow to cover the tender spot, but this can take a month or two. In the meantime, the pain can be managed by keeping the area clean and soaking the nail in warm water.
Fungal nail infections, known as onychomycosis, can also cause pain when pressing on the nail. This condition can cause the nail to become discoloured, usually yellow, thick, and more prone to cracking or breaking. It is caused by different types of yeasts or moulds that enter the nail through cracks in the nail or the surrounding skin.
If you are experiencing severe or persistent nail pain, it is important to consult a doctor for advice. They can determine the underlying cause and recommend suitable treatments.
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Frequently asked questions
Cutting your nails too short can expose the sensitive skin underneath, leading to pain and increased risk of infection.
The thin skin under your nails is called the hyponychium, and it is loaded with nerve endings that are not used to being touched.
Cutting your nails too short can increase the risk of infection, especially ingrown nails. It can also be painful as the exposed skin is not meant to be touched.
To prevent infection, keep your fingernails clean and disinfect your nail clippers. You can also apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the area with bandages until the nail grows out.
If the pain persists or gets worse, or if you notice any signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or pus, you should see a doctor.
