Ava Monroe
Changes in the skin around your nails can be harmless, but they can also be a sign of disease. If you notice any changes in colour, texture, or shape, it's time to see a dermatologist. There are several reasons why skin grows around your finger nails. This skin is called the hyponychium and acts as a barrier from germs and debris, preventing infection. Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU) occurs when the hyponychium attaches to the underside of the nail as it grows and is a common cause of skin overgrowth. Other causes include long-term stress, frequent hand washing, dry weather, harsh chemicals, and nail biting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Skin growing under the fingernail | Hyponychium |
| Cause of hyponychium | The hyponychium attaches to the underside of the nail as it grows |
| Common causes of hyponychium | Gel manicures, wearing acrylic nails, nail biting, nail psoriasis, fungal infections, contact dermatitis, nail injury, lupus, psoriasis, or autoimmune conditions |
| Cuticle | A thin layer of dead skin that grows around the edge of your toenails and fingernails |
| Cuticle overgrowth causes | Chronic stress, unmanaged overgrowth, health conditions |
| Cuticle overgrowth treatment | Avoid cutting the skin, soak the cuticles with warm water, gently push them back with a tool, moisturize hands and cuticles daily, avoid harsh soaps and chemicals |
| Hangnail | Small pieces of torn skin at the root of fingernails or toenails |
| Hangnail causes | Dry skin, harsh chemicals, nail biting, nail picking, cutting the nail too short, diabetes, immunocompromised, thumb sucking |
| Hangnail treatment | Soak the affected finger in warm water, apply vitamin E oil, petroleum jelly or mineral oil, gently clip the hangnail with sterile nail clippers |
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What You'll Learn
- Gel manicures, acrylic nails, and nail biting can cause skin overgrowth
- Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU) is an uncommon condition that causes skin to attach to the underside of the nail
- Chronic stress can cause an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, which can affect nail growth
- Hangnails are caused by a lack of oil in the skin and can lead to infections
- A nail lifting up from the nail bed may indicate an infection
Gel manicures, acrylic nails, and nail biting can cause skin overgrowth
Gel manicures, acrylic nails, and nail biting can all have negative effects on the health of your nails and the skin around them.
Gel manicures can cause nail brittleness, peeling, and cracking, and repeated use can increase the risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging on the hands. This is due to the ultraviolet radiation used to seal the nail polish to the nail. To prevent this, you can apply sunscreen to your hands before your manicure or wear dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips cut off. It is also recommended to take breaks between gel manicures to allow your nails to repair and rehydrate.
Acrylic nails can also cause damage to the nails and skin. They may cause a condition called "worn-down nail syndrome," which involves the thinning of the nail after exposure to acrylics and nail filing. In addition, acrylic nails can trap more bacteria than natural nails, increasing the risk of infection for both the wearer and the people they come into contact with. A 2022 study showed that exposure to acrylic nails may lead to hand eczema, with symptoms including pain, redness, and thickened skin around the nails.
Chronic nail biting, or onychophagia, can also damage the nails and the surrounding skin. It can cause dental problems, such as misalignment and chipped teeth, and increase the risk of bacterial infections in the body. Nail biting is often a nervous habit, and identifying the triggers can help replace this behavior with healthier coping mechanisms, such as squeezing a stress ball or chewing gum.
In summary, while gel manicures, acrylic nails, and nail biting may be common practices, they can have negative consequences for nail and skin health. It is important to be aware of these risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate them, such as allowing nails to repair between manicures, seeking treatment for any signs of infection or eczema, and finding alternative ways to manage nervous habits.
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Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU) is an uncommon condition that causes skin to attach to the underside of the nail
Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU) is an uncommon condition where the hyponychium, or the skin under the free edge of the nail, attaches to the underside of the nail as it grows. This results in a subungual extension of the hyponychium and the obliteration of the distal groove. PIU is a rare disorder that can be congenital or acquired. The exact cause of PIU is not well understood by scientists, but it is believed to be associated with autoimmune conditions such as lupus, psoriasis, and other external factors.
PIU can be present from birth, with congenital cases assumed to be caused by early abnormality in the fetal ridge and groove formation. Idiopathic forms of PIU may also result from the distal expansion of the nail bed, which often aids in the creation of the nail plate. Congenital PIU is rare, with only four out of 37 reported cases being congenital, according to a review of English literature.
The acquired form of PIU is more common and is often associated with autoimmune conditions such as lupus. It can also be triggered by external factors such as gel manicures, acrylic nails, nail biting, and nail psoriasis. In one reported case, a 22-year-old man presented with PIU on all ten fingernails, a condition he had since childhood. He experienced pain, discomfort, and easy bleeding when clipping his relatively long fingernails.
The management of PIU is not well-defined, and various treatments have been reported as ineffective. The most effective strategy is to address the underlying cause of PIU. Patients with PIU should be evaluated for associated rheumatologic diseases, and long-term follow-up examinations are necessary to detect the development of connective tissue diseases.
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Chronic stress can cause an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, which can affect nail growth
Chronic stress can have a significant impact on nail growth and overall nail health. When the body is under stress, it goes into fight or flight mode, prioritizing survival over other functions like digestion and nutrient absorption. This leads to an increased demand for nutrients and a decrease in absorption, resulting in a nutrient deficit that can affect nail health.
Nails require various vitamins and minerals, including protein, silica, magnesium, zinc, iron, and biotin, to grow strong and healthy. Chronic stress can interfere with the body's ability to absorb these essential nutrients, leading to nail problems such as pitting, shredding, and ridging. Additionally, stress can cause people to engage in nail-biting or repetitive nail-rubbing, resulting in mechanical damage to the nail bed.
The stress hormone cortisol, which is produced by the activation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis during stressful periods, has been linked to nail health. Cortisol has been found to accumulate in nails, and its presence can serve as a biomarker for chronic stress. While hair cortisol has been more widely studied, nail cortisol offers a promising alternative, especially in populations where hair sampling may be challenging due to cultural or individual factors, such as short hair or baldness.
The quantification of cortisol in nails has been achieved through liquid chromatography, electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry, and enzyme immunoassay. By understanding the average growth rate of nails, researchers can determine the duration of cortisol exposure and gain insights into an individual's chronic stress levels over several months. However, it is important to note that the ability to track cortisol accumulation within nail clippings is complex, and more studies are needed to establish nail cortisol as a validated measure of chronic stress.
In conclusion, chronic stress can indeed affect nail growth and health. The increase in cortisol levels during stressful periods can interfere with nutrient absorption, leading to nail problems. Additionally, the accumulation of cortisol in nails provides a potential biomarker for assessing chronic stress levels over time.
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Hangnails are caused by a lack of oil in the skin and can lead to infections
Hangnails are small injuries that occur at the base or sides of the nail, where there are many nerve endings and blood vessels. They are extra tags of skin that can flake off your nail bed. Hangnails are caused by a variety of environmental factors and personal habits, including dry skin, biting your nails, and cutting your cuticles too short. Dry skin can be caused by frequent hand washing, cold weather, and harsh chemicals like hand sanitizers and cleaning products, all of which deplete oil in the skin and contribute to hangnail growth.
Hangnails can be very painful and irritating, making it difficult to perform daily tasks. They can become inflamed and swollen, exerting pressure on the nerve endings and causing further discomfort. Hangnails can also lead to infections, which are particularly likely if the hangnail is ripped or bitten off, as this can tear the skin and cause bleeding. Bacteria from the mouth or hands can then enter the wound and cause infection, or an open wound can become vulnerable to bacteria or fungi in the environment.
Infections that occur near fingernails are called paronychia. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth, and the presence of pus. If left untreated, hangnail infections can spread up the finger and, in rare cases, to other parts of the body. They can also cause nail discolouration.
To prevent hangnails, it is important to keep the skin moisturized and avoid biting your nails or cutting your cuticles too short. Wearing gloves during cold weather and when performing activities that are hard on the skin, such as gardening or cleaning, can also help. If a hangnail does occur, it is important to treat it properly to prevent infection. Soaking the affected finger in warm water and gently applying vitamin E oil, petroleum jelly, or mineral oil can help soften the hangnail. Once softened, the hangnail can be gently clipped with sterile nail clippers to reduce the risk of it catching on something and causing further injury.
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A nail lifting up from the nail bed may indicate an infection
A nail lifting up from the nail bed is known as onycholysis. It is a common condition that may affect people of any age and is more prevalent in women than in men. Onycholysis can be caused by several factors, including injury, fungal infection, or psoriasis. When a nail lifts, it creates a space for dirt and debris to accumulate, potentially leading to bacterial or yeast infections. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the nail bed dry and clean.
In the case of onycholysis, it is essential to identify and address the underlying cause. If the condition is due to an infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe appropriate antibacterial or antifungal treatment. Most bacterial nail infections respond well to antibiotics, which are used to kill the bacteria causing the infection. However, it is important to follow your provider's instructions and complete the entire course of antibiotics to prevent the infection from returning.
Additionally, minor procedures such as drainage may be necessary if an abscess or pus has formed around the nail bed. This involves cleaning the area, making a small cut for drainage, and then covering the area with a bandage. Keeping the nail bed clean and changing the bandage as needed are essential steps in the aftercare process.
To promote healing and prevent further issues, it is recommended to keep your nails short and trimmed. Aggressive clipping is not advised, but clipping away the detached portion of the nail weekly is beneficial. As onycholysis does not cause pain, some people may not like the appearance of the lifted nail. In such cases, an adhesive bandage can be applied to cover the nail and prevent it from catching on things, which could worsen the condition.
While onycholysis itself may not be a cause for concern, it could indicate an underlying issue. For example, it can be associated with certain medical conditions such as eczema, thyroid disease, or, in rare cases, cancer. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult a dermatologist or your healthcare provider to determine the exact cause of the nail lifting and receive appropriate treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
There could be several reasons for this. It could be due to a vitamin deficiency, causing spoon-shaped nails, or a disease affecting your entire body. It could also be the result of an injury, chemotherapy, or major stress, which can cause nails to grow slowly or stop growing altogether.
If you notice that the skin around your nails has stopped growing, it is recommended that you see a board-certified dermatologist. They can help diagnose and treat the issue. In the meantime, you can keep your hands and cuticles moisturized with lotion or oils to prevent dryness and maintain healthy nails.
Some common issues include hangnails, which are small pieces of torn skin at the root of your fingernails, and hyponychium overgrowth, which is when the skin under your fingernails grows thicker and can make trimming nails painful.
