Why Do My Nails Hurt? 8 Main Causes, Symptoms, and Cures
Nails are certainly the most underrated body part. Still, “Why do my nails hurt” is among the most searched terms on Google.
Whenever some change occurs in our body the first thing you do is google. Most searched questions being, “why do my nails hurt?”, “Why do I have a fever?”, “Why does my stomach ache?”. In this blog, we will answer one of these questions. Yes, you guessed it right, you can find the causes, symptoms, and treatment of your nail problems here!
Do Nails Send Signs Before The Pain Starts? – Symptoms
A range of anomalies with the fingernails, such as changes in color, texture, form, size, or structure, are some fingernail symptoms that can be observed with naked eyes. Disease, infection, injury, nutritional insufficiency, or poisoning are all examples of systemic causes for these anomalies. Localized inflammation or infection can also produce fingernail anomalies.
As far as the question why do my nails hurt is concerned, most of the symptoms aren’t serious, so you needn’t worry. But if the symptoms remain for a long time, they can be a sign of major systemic infection or disease. Terry’s nails, for example, is a term for fingernail whitening caused by diabetes, heart failure, or liver disease. Localized inflammation or infections of the fingernails, which are commonly caused by bacteria or fungus, can be reduced by taking good care of them and keeping the area around them clean and dry.
The pain under your fingernails, when pressed, is quite unbearable. You need to know the symptoms and causes for the same. Fingernail symptoms may be accompanied by localized symptoms. Additional localized symptoms may be present in locations around atypical fingernails, such as:
- Redness or warmth
- Pus or other fluid under or around the fingernails
- Skin infections
- Skin nodules or plaques
Why Do My Nails Hurt? What Are The Causes?
There are many reasons as to why one’s nails hurt on pressing, or in general. Mentioned below are some common reasons behind the pain in your fingernails and toenails.
1. Fungal nail infection
Fungal nail infection is the most common answer to the question “why do my nails hurt?”. It can occur when a fungus enters an injury on, under, or around the nail. In most cases, the same fungus that causes athlete’s foot also causes fungal nail infections. Other fungi, such as yeasts and molds, can wreak havoc on the nails.
The fungus can color your nails yellow or white, in addition to causing pain. Other signs and symptoms of a fungus nail infection are:
- Thickening of the nails
- Crumbling\ Splitting
- Detachment from the skin
2. Ingrown Fingernails
If you clip or bite your nail too close to the nail bed, hurt it, or get a fungal infection, ingrown fingernails can happen.
Toes are the most typical site for ingrown nails. However, they can also occur on fingernails and can be extremely painful when pressure is applied to the nail. It is a prevalent condition that affects 2.5 to 5% of the population.
3. Torn or cracked nail
If your nail is ripped or cracked, it may cause pain when you press on it, revealing your nail bed. This can be very painful until new skin forms to cover the exposed and raw area. After a week, new skin will form, and after a month or two, the nail should renew or grow over the tender place.
4. Torn hangnail
Wondering the answer to why do my nails hurt on the side? The loose patches of skin that surround your fingernail are known as hangnails. Hangnails are frequent in the winter because your skin grows drier. They can be unpleasant and infection-prone if you pull or rip them. This causes the pain you feel on the sides of your fingernails.
5. Physical injury
While nails are sturdy, they can be damaged if they get caught in a door or if something heavy falls on them. Because there are numerous nerves under and around the nails, these injuries are frequently painful.
A physical injury to the nail might result in bruising or the nail falling off before it can heal. As a wounded nail heals, it may become sensitive.
6. Hematoma
When you crush your finger or drop something heavy on it, you get a hematoma. Blood or other fluid collects under your nail after the damage, causing pain. It may appear like you have a bruise under your nail. Your fingernail will turn purple, brown, or black in hue. Over the course of several months, the hematoma will fade away with the growth of your nail.
7. Paronychia
The swelling surrounding your fingernail or toenail is known as paronychia. It can be uncomfortable and create redness on the skin. This is a condition that can affect anyone. It can happen if you acquire a cut near your nail (acute) or if you do things that make your hands chilly and damp (chronic). Fungi, bacteria, or dermatitis can all contribute to this illness.
8. Subungal tumors
Subungal tumors form as lumps under the fingernail and can cause excruciating discomfort. These tumors might be benign or cancerous, and a doctor will need to diagnose and treat them.
Treatment of Pain in FingerNails When Pressed
When you search why do my nails hurt, apart from causes you look for treatment as well. An injury can be relieved by soaking the damaged fingernail in warm water for 20 minutes at a time. Chronic paronychia can be relieved by keeping your hands dry and warm. It’s also a good idea to keep your nails clean. Different cause needs different treatment, mentioned below are some treatments that you can try at home: –
- Wash your hands with soap and water to clean a ripped hangnail.
- Cover the nail with an antibiotic cream and a bandage.
A fingernail hematoma can be treated at home by:
- Resting your finger, applying a cold compress, elevating the finger, gently pressing on the nail to stop bleeding, and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever
For sensitive, exposed skin beneath the nail bed, use:
- Clean equipment, such as a nail clipper or nail scissors, should be used to remove any nails that are hanging off your finger.
- Clean the nail and soak it in cool water.
- To avoid infection, apply an antibiotic ointment.
- While the wound heals, wrap it in a bandage.
You can apply over-the-counter or at-home treatments for nail fungus to your nail, such as:
- vapor rub,
- tea tree oil,
- oregano oil,
- and vinegar
Hope the reason behind your pain is included here and their treatment as well. So, did these treatments help you? If not, then you should seek medical advice as soon as possible, because this could be an indication of infection in other parts of your body.
FAQs
Q1. What causes pain under my fingernails?
There are several reasons that can cause pain in your fingernails. Fungal Infection, subungual tumors, paronychia, hematoma, torn hangnail, ingrown fingernail, and torn or cracked nails are some of the reasons that can be the reason for your fingernail pain.
Q2. Should I consult a doctor for fingernail pain?
The first thing you need to do is find the reason behind the pain. Once deduced, several home remedies can give you relief. You can consult the doctor if the pain increases. Soaking nails in warm water, cleaning the infected area, applying antibiotics are some ways that can bring relief to your pain.
Q3. Why do my nails hurt on getting long?
When your nails get too long, the added length acts as a lever or a see-saw, and the chances of getting physically hurt increase, which in turn can cause immense pain.
Read Also: How to Quit Nail Biting Easily and Causes, Risks & Preventions