Isla Bennett
Fingernail pain is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors, including injuries, infections, and irritation. Pain on the side of the nail can be particularly uncomfortable and may be caused by an ingrown nail, a hangnail, or an injury to the nail bed. Ingrown nails occur when the sides of the nail curve into the skin, often due to improper trimming, injury, or ill-fitting footwear. Hangnails, which are small pieces of skin that jut out near the cuticles, can also cause pain, especially if they are ripped or pulled. Additionally, injuries to the nail bed, such as cuts or bruises, can result in pain on the side of the nail. While some causes of fingernail pain can be treated at home, it is important to seek medical advice if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by signs of infection.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Nail injuries
A nail injury occurs when any part of the nail, including the nail bed (skin underneath the nail), cuticle (base of the nail), or the skin around the sides of the nail, gets injured. This can happen when the nail is cut, torn, smashed, or bruised, or when the nail is torn away from the skin. For instance, smashing your finger in a door, hitting it with a heavy object, or cutting it with a sharp object can cause a nail injury.
If the nail is torn or jagged, it should be trimmed to avoid further injury. If the nail lifts off the nail bed, it can be replaced and held in place with a bandage. However, nails will not reattach to the nail bed after separation. In most cases, a new nail will slowly regrow within about two months for fingernails and four months for toenails. If the injury includes the base of the nail, some cosmetic changes may be permanent.
For more serious nail injuries, such as a broken bone or a large bruise, urgent medical care is required. Treatment may involve numbing the finger or toe, draining blood and fluid, removing or reattaching the nail, and repairing the nail bed. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection. In the case of a broken bone, a wire may be placed in the finger to keep the bone in place.
Effective Treatments for Finger Nail Fungus
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hangnails
It is important to resist the urge to rip or bite off a hangnail, as this can tear the skin and cause bleeding, further discomfort, and an increased risk of infection. If a hangnail becomes infected, it can lead to a condition called paronychia, which is an inflammation of the tissue on the side or at the base of the fingernail. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, pain, warmth, and the presence of pus. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the finger.
To prevent hangnails, 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 reducing exposure to dry air and harsh chemicals.
The Mystery of Split Fingernails: Causes and Cures
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ingrown nails
Fingernail pain can be confusing and seemingly random, but it happens more often than you might think. One possible cause of nail pain is an ingrown nail. Ingrown toenails are a common, painful nail condition that usually affects the big toe. They occur when the nail grows into the skin around the nail bed. This can happen if you cut your toenail too short or with rounded edges, causing the nail to grow into the skin. Alternatively, the skin can grow over the nail edge, allowing bacteria to enter and potentially causing an infection.
Ingrown toenails can also be caused by improper footwear, tearing the corner of the nail, toe trauma (such as banging or stubbing your toe), or the shape of your toe. If your toe has a larger nail in comparison, or the surrounding tissue of the nail border naturally grows around your nail, you may be more prone to ingrown toenails.
Ingrown toenails can often be diagnosed at home based on symptoms and the appearance of the toe. The skin at the edge of the nail will be swollen, tender, warm, and red or darker in colour. It will also be painful to light touch and will look different from your other toes. If you have diabetes or poor blood circulation, you are at a greater risk of complications from ingrown toenails and should seek medical attention.
There are several home treatments that can help manage the pain and prevent further ingrown toenail pain. These include soaking your foot in warm water mixed with Epsom salt or soapy water twice daily, keeping your foot dry, gently lifting the edge of the nail and placing a small piece of cotton or dental floss between the nail and your skin, using an antibiotic cream and a bandage, and wearing roomy shoes or sandals. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also help.
If symptoms do not improve with home remedies, or if you have signs of infection or a severe ingrown toenail, do not attempt to cut it yourself. Instead, see a healthcare provider. They may treat it using the same techniques as home remedies, but with more professional instrumentation. In severe cases, a procedure called nail avulsion may be required to surgically remove part of the nail to keep it from growing inward and cutting into the skin.
How to Stop Nails From Tearing and Ripping
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Fungal infections
Fingernail pain can be caused by several factors, one of which is a fungal infection. Fungal nail infections, or onychomycosis, are common and can develop when fungi enter the nail through cracks in the nail or the surrounding skin. Toenails are more frequently affected than fingernails, and the infection usually results in the nail becoming thickened, distorted, and discoloured, typically a yellow hue. The nail may also become brittle, with pieces breaking off and coming away.
Fungal nail infections are often spread in places where the fungi can thrive and easily spread, such as communal showers, locker rooms, and gyms. Walking barefoot in these areas increases the likelihood of contracting the infection. The fungi that cause athlete's foot are also a common cause of fungal nail infections.
Fungal nail infections are typically treated with antifungal medication. The two most commonly prescribed medications are terbinafine and itraconazole, which are taken orally once or twice a day for several months. Antifungal nail paint is also an option, although it is not considered as effective as tablets since it may not reach the deeper layers of the nail.
It is important to note that fungal nail infections can be spread to others, so taking steps to avoid this is crucial if you have an infection. Additionally, these infections rarely get better without treatment and can cause pain or discomfort. Therefore, seeking medical advice and adhering to the treatment plan is essential to ensure the infection clears up completely.
Nutrition Tips for Stronger Nails: Eat Your Way to Health
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Paronychia
There are two types of paronychia: acute and chronic. Acute paronychia symptoms appear over a few hours or days and are limited to a single nail fold. They include throbbing pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in an area of damaged skin around a nail. Acute paronychia usually heals within 5 to 10 days with proper treatment, which may include soaking the affected area in warm water and topical antiseptics. In more severe cases, oral antibiotics and surgical drainage of pus may be required.
Chronic paronychia symptoms develop more slowly and usually affect several fingers or toes. It is often caused by mechanical or chemical factors, such as constant exposure to water, irritants, or inflammation. The affected skin may be red, tender, and swollen, with some pus that can be expressed from under the cuticle. Treatment for chronic paronychia may include several weeks of antifungal medication.
In rare cases, untreated paronychia can lead to severe infections that spread deeper into the finger or toe, possibly affecting the underlying bone. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if you suspect you have paronychia and to follow the recommended treatment plan.
Immediate Relief for a Jammed Fingernail
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Fingernail pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, infection, or irritation. It may be helpful to identify whether the pain is acute or chronic. Acute pain is often a result of a sudden injury, whereas chronic pain develops over time.
An injury to the nail, such as a cut, tear, smash, or bruise, can cause acute pain. This could be from an impact injury, such as hitting your finger with a hammer, or from cutting your finger with a sharp object.
Chronic pain could be due to an infection, such as a fungal infection or paronychia, which is an inflammation of the skin around the nail. This can be caused by fungi, bacteria, or dermatitis. Dry cuticles and hangnails can also cause chronic pain and can lead to infection if left untreated.
Treatment for acute pain depends on the severity of the injury. For minor injuries, you can try home remedies such as soaking the nail in warm water or applying a cold compress. If the injury is more severe, you may need to seek medical attention, especially if there is a broken bone in the finger.
Treatment for chronic pain caused by infection often involves prescription medication such as topical or oral antifungal creams and antibiotics. Keeping your nails and hands clean and dry can also help prevent and treat infections. If the pain is severe or does not improve with treatment, it is important to consult a doctor.
