Liam Carter
Experiencing pain in your fingernails is not as uncommon as you might think. There are several reasons why your index fingernail might hurt, ranging from mild to severe. Some of the most common causes include nail biting, hangnails, injuries, and infections. Infections can be bacterial or fungal, with fungal infections being more common in colder climates and in people with diabetes or weakened immune systems. Ingrown nails are another possible cause of nail pain, which can occur when you cut or bite your nails too close to the nail bed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pain cause | Infection, ingrown nails, injury to the nail, nail biting, hangnails |
| Infection type | Bacterial, fungal |
| Treatment | Home remedies, medical treatments, prescription-strength medication, surgery |
| Symptoms | Swelling, redness, discolouration, pus, pain, throbbing, soreness, warmth, tenderness, nail thickening, cracked or broken nail |
| Prevention | Avoid nail biting, avoid picking at or cutting cuticles, avoid artificial nails, keep nails trimmed, moisturise hands, wear gloves |
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What You'll Learn
Infection
Fingernail pain can be caused by an infection, ingrown nails, nail biting, or injury to the nail. If you are experiencing a severe injury to your nail, it is important to contact a doctor as the bone in your finger could be broken.
Fungal nail infections can be caused by different types of yeasts or molds that enter through cracks in the nail or the surrounding skin. These infections can cause the nail to thicken and turn yellow or white. They can also lead to sharp pain, redness, swelling, and tenderness.
To treat a bacterial infection, a doctor may clean the wound, drain any infection, and prescribe a course of antibiotics. For fungal infections, a doctor may prescribe antifungal creams, lotions, or oral medications. Keeping the infected area moisturised can help prevent cracks and reduce pain.
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Ingrown nail
People with ingrown nails may experience redness, pain, swelling, and tenderness to the touch. In some cases, bacteria can enter the wound, leading to an infection. Symptoms of an infected ingrown nail include pain, redness, swelling, and pus coming from the toe. If left untreated, an ingrown nail infection can spread through the toe and into the bone.
Most ingrown nails can be treated at home. Soaking the affected area in warm water 3 to 4 times a day can help ease the pain and prevent further infection. Placing cotton or waxed dental floss under the ingrown edge of the nail will help the nail grow above the skin. Applying petroleum jelly and bandaging the toe can also help keep the area moist and protected.
For more severe cases of ingrown nails, a doctor may need to perform a procedure called nail avulsion, where part or all of the nail is surgically removed. During this procedure, the toe is numbed with an anesthetic, and the ingrown portion of the nail is cut away. In some cases, a chemical may be used to kill the nail root to prevent the condition from recurring. It typically takes a few months for the nail to regrow after a nail avulsion procedure.
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Injury
If you have injured your nail bed, you may need to see a doctor for surgical treatment. If your nail bed is filled with blood and the nail plate is cracked or damaged, the doctor will remove the damaged nail plate and repair the nail bed. The nail can then regrow over nine to 12 months. If there is damage beyond the nail bed, such as a broken finger, you will need to go to an operating room.
Minor nail bed injuries, which are only mildly uncomfortable, should heal on their own. However, it is important to keep the injured area dry, as getting it wet can lead to a bacterial or fungal infection. In addition, it is important to avoid consuming alcohol, massaging the injured area, or applying heat in the early stages of healing, as these can be detrimental to the healing process.
If you have injured your finger, you may have also injured the soft tissue surrounding the finger joints, such as the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. This can be caused by a forceful stretch or direct blow, such as when playing ball sports. Symptoms of soft tissue injury include heat, redness, bruising, stiffness, and loss of function. To treat a soft tissue injury, it is important to control the pain and swelling by following the principles of RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation). In addition, take over-the-counter pain relief medication and keep your hand elevated to reduce swelling.
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Nail biting
If you want to stop biting your nails, the first step is to identify your triggers. Are you more likely to bite your nails when you're bored, stressed, or anxious? Once you know your triggers, you can try to find a replacement behaviour. For example, you could squeeze a stress ball, play with a fidget toy, or chew gum. You could also try keeping your nails trimmed and hangnails at bay, so there is less temptation to bite them. There are also bitter-tasting nail polishes available that may deter you from putting your nails in your mouth. If you can't break the habit on your own, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can help address the psychological aspects of nail biting.
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Hangnail
A hangnail is a small, ripped piece of skin that appears at the edge of a fingernail, close to the cuticles. Hangnails are not a part of the nail itself but are rather slivers of skin that can peel away from the nail's edge. They are often caused by dry, cracked, or damaged skin around the nails. This can be due to various environmental factors and personal habits, such as cold weather, frequent hand washing, exposure to harsh chemicals, or nail-biting. Hangnails can be surprisingly painful and annoying, especially if they get snagged on something or become infected.
If left untreated, hangnails can lead to infections, which can spread to other parts of the finger. Therefore, it is important to take care of hangnails properly. Here are some ways to manage and treat hangnails:
- Soak your fingers: Start by soaking your fingers in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes to soften the hangnail and the surrounding skin.
- Trim carefully: Using sanitized nail clippers or small scissors, gently trim the hangnail as close to the skin as possible. Avoid the temptation to pull or rip off the hangnail, as this can cause further damage and increase the risk of infection.
- Moisturize: Apply a fragrance-free moisturizing cream or petroleum jelly to keep the skin around your nails hydrated and healthy.
- Bandage: If the area is sore, bleeding, or infected, cover it with a bandage to protect it from further infection and to promote healing.
- Antibacterial ointment: Apply a small amount of over-the-counter antibacterial ointment, such as bacitracin, to prevent and treat infections.
Most hangnails can be managed and treated at home with these simple steps. However, if the infection does not improve or worsens, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why your index fingernail might hurt. It could be due to an injury, such as smashing your finger or dropping something heavy on it, which can cause a hematoma (a collection of blood or fluid under the nail). It could also be due to an infection, such as a bacterial or fungal infection, which can cause pain, redness, and swelling. Other causes could include ingrown nails, nail biting, or hangnails. If the pain is severe or persistent, it is recommended to consult a doctor for advice and treatment.
For minor injuries, you can try soaking the affected nail in warm water for 15-20 minutes, multiple times a day. This can help reduce pain and promote healing. It is important to keep the area clean and dry to prevent infection. If the injury is more severe, such as a broken or exposed nail bed, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
Treatment for nail infections depends on the type of infection and the severity of the condition. For bacterial infections, such as acute paronychia, your doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics. For fungal infections, such as chronic paronychia, your doctor may recommend keeping the area dry and using antifungal medication. In some cases, drainage or nail removal may be necessary. It is important to follow your doctor's instructions and complete the full course of treatment to ensure the infection resolves completely.
