Isla Bennett
There are many reasons why your fingernail bed might hurt. Pain under the fingernail can be caused by injury, infection, or irritation. A fungal infection, for example, can cause discolouration and flakiness, and can be very painful. Paronychia, a bacterial or fungal infection, can also be very painful and cause throbbing, swelling, and redness. Hangnails, which are common in cold weather, can also be very painful if ripped or pulled. Ingrown nails, which occur when you clip or bite your nails too close to the nail bed, can also be extremely painful. If you are experiencing severe or persistent pain, it is important to seek medical advice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Infection, nail biting, injury, or other causes |
| Treatment | Home remedies, medical treatments, or surgery |
| Symptoms | Pain, swelling, redness, discolouration, or throbbing |
| Prevention | Avoid biting nails, keep nails clean, moisturise hands, use natural nail products |
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What You'll Learn
Nail biting
If you are struggling with nail biting, there are several strategies you can use to break the habit:
- Identify your triggers: Pay attention to how you feel or what you are doing when you bite your nails. Once you understand your triggers, you can find alternative ways to cope with those feelings or situations.
- Keep your hands and mouth busy: Find something to fidget with, such as a stress ball or a pen to click. Chewing gum can also help by giving your mouth something else to focus on.
- Set small goals: Instead of going cold turkey, start by setting small, achievable goals. For example, you could try to stop biting the nails on your dominant hand for a week, or choose one nail to leave alone. Gradually increase the number of nails in the "no-biting" zone as you make progress.
- Use deterrents: Coat your nails with a bitter-tasting nail polish or wear gloves or stickers to make it difficult to bite your nails.
- Seek professional help: If you are having difficulty breaking the habit on your own, consider seeking help from a healthcare professional or therapist who can provide additional strategies, support, and guidance.
It is important to note that nail biting may be a sign of underlying emotional or mental stress, anxiety, or boredom. Addressing these underlying issues can be crucial in breaking the habit. Additionally, parental involvement and education can be crucial in helping children and adolescents stop nail-biting.
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Hangnails
If a hangnail becomes infected, it can lead to a condition called paronychia, which is an inflammation of the tissue (skin) on the side or at the base of the fingernail. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, pain or tenderness, warmth, and the presence of pus. If you notice these symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical attention, especially if the infection does not improve or worsens.
To prevent hangnails from occurring, it is important to keep the skin around the nails healthy and hydrated. This can be done by moisturizing the hands and cuticles daily, avoiding harsh soaps and chemicals, and resisting the urge to bite, pick, or cut the cuticles.
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Ingrown nails
- Incorrectly cut nails: Cutting your nails too short or with rounded edges can cause the nail to grow into the skin.
- Improperly fitting shoes: Shoes that are too tight or place too much pressure on the toes can cause the nail to grow into the surrounding tissue.
- Tearing the corner of the nail: This can be caused by toe trauma, such as banging your toe or getting stepped on.
- Natural toe shape: For example, if your nail is larger compared to your toe, or if the surrounding tissue naturally grows over the nail edge.
- Poor foot hygiene: Not keeping your feet clean and dry can contribute to the development of ingrown nails.
- Certain sports and activities: Dance, soccer, and skiing, for example, can increase the risk of ingrown nails.
- Underlying medical conditions: Diabetes and other conditions that cause poor blood flow to the feet can increase the risk of ingrown nails and their associated complications.
Treatment for ingrown nails can include home remedies and medical interventions. Home care involves soaking the affected area in warm water mixed with Epsom salt or soapy water twice daily, keeping the area dry otherwise, and gently lifting the edge of the nail to place a small piece of cotton or dental floss between the nail and the skin. This helps to separate the nail from the skin and promote proper nail growth. Additionally, keeping the area clean with antibiotic ointment and covering it with a bandage can help prevent infection. Over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can be taken to relieve pain.
In more severe cases, or if home remedies are ineffective, medical attention may be required. Healthcare providers can treat mild ingrown nails using sterile and professional techniques. For severe infections or persistent symptoms, a procedure called nail avulsion may be necessary, which involves surgically removing part or all of the affected nail to prevent it from growing inward and cutting into the skin.
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Fungal infections
Fingernail pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including fungal infections. Fungi, such as yeasts and moulds, can enter an injury on, under, or around the nail, leading to a fungal nail infection. This type of infection is often caused by the same fungus responsible for athlete's foot.
Fungal nail infections can cause pain and other symptoms such as nail discolouration, including white or yellow hues. In some cases, the nail may become thicker or thinner, or flaky. The infection can spread to other nails and, in rare cases, can cause permanent damage to the nail bed if left untreated. Ingrown nails, which can be caused by improper nail trimming, nail injury, or ill-fitting shoes, are often associated with fungal infections.
Paronychia, a common nail infection, can also be caused by fungi, specifically Candida, a yeast-like organism. It causes inflammation, redness, and swelling around the nail, particularly at the cuticle or the site of a hangnail or other injury. Nail changes, such as detachment, abnormal shaping, or unusual colouring, may also occur. Paronychia can develop from trauma, including manicures and pedicures, or exposure to irritants like detergents and chemicals.
To treat a fungal nail infection, it is important to consult a doctor or healthcare provider. They may recommend topical or systemic antifungal agents, such as itraconazole and terbinafine, especially in cases of chronic paronychia. Soaking the infected area in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes a few times a day can help relieve symptoms. Keeping nails and hands clean and dry is also important for preventing and managing infections.
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Paronychia
The condition results from the disruption of the protective barrier between the nail and the nail fold, which is the cuticle. This allows bacteria and other organisms to enter and colonise the area. The cuticle is the skin at the base of the nail, and the nail fold is where the skin and nail come together. Paronychia can develop when bacteria enter broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold, causing an infection.
There are two types of paronychia: acute and chronic. Acute paronychia symptoms appear over a few hours or days and are usually limited to one nail. They include pain, redness, and swelling, and sometimes yellow pus under the cuticle. Acute paronychia is usually caused by a bacterial infection, especially Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Pseudomonas. It can also be caused by the cold sore virus, Herpes simplex, or the yeast, Candida albicans.
Chronic paronychia symptoms develop more slowly and usually last six weeks or longer. Several fingers or toes can be infected at once. This type of paronychia is usually caused by mechanical or chemical factors and sometimes infectious agents like a fungal infection, especially Candida species. It is more common in people with constantly cold and wet hands, such as bartenders and dishwashers.
Treatment for paronychia depends on the severity and duration of the infection. Acute paronychia usually resolves with treatment and does not last longer than six weeks. Warm water soaks, topical antiseptics, and oral antibiotics can be used for treatment. In some cases, surgical incision and drainage may be required, and very rarely, the nail must be removed to allow pus to drain. Chronic paronychia may be treated with antifungals or steroids, and sometimes antibiotics.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many reasons why your fingernail bed may hurt. It could be due to a nail injury, infection, or ingrown nail. In some cases, it may be caused by a more serious condition, such as a tumor under the nail. It is important to determine the underlying cause and seek medical advice if the pain is severe or persistent.
A nail infection, also known as paronychia, can cause pain, swelling, redness, and discoloration of the finger, especially around the cuticle. It can be caused by bacteria, fungi, or yeast. In some cases, it may be accompanied by a fever or pus.
The treatment for pain in the fingernail bed depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, home remedies such as soaking the nail in warm water or applying antibiotic ointment may be sufficient. In other cases, medical treatment may be required, including prescription medication or, in severe cases, surgery. It is important to contact your doctor if you are concerned or if the pain is severe.
