Introduction
Pain under the fingernail is a subjective unpleasant sensation located under the fingernail. Those affected suffer from pain. Although the fingernail itself is not sensitively treated, the nail bed underneath is extremely sensitive to pain.
The possible causes
Various causes can cause pain under the fingernail. Nail bed inflammation is a widespread disease that can cause great pain even in tiny sizes. In addition, fingernail injuries are also very common, in which the nail tears or even tears completely.
If the sensitive nail bed is exposed, the affected person suffers severe pain. Furthermore, there is a special form of psoriasis, the psoriasis of the nail. In this form of psoriasis, the affected persons suffer from enormous nail changes, which typically cause pain when walking or grasping.
The nail bed can become inflamed on both the finger and the toe. This usually happens when pathogens such as bacteria or fungi enter the nail bed through tiny wounds and cause painful inflammation. In acute nail bed inflammation, the skin under and/or around the nail bed is reddened, swollen and warmed.
Those affected typically suffer from a throbbing pain. Depending on the stage of the disease and the cause or pathogen, anti-inflammatory medication or antibiotics may be necessary. If one suffers more frequently from nail bed inflammation or accompanying diseases such as diabetes mellitus, one should definitely consult a physician.
Psoriasis also affects the finger and foot nails of many patients. Typical nail changes, such as spotted nails, oil stains and crumbly nails, can be seen. Spotted nails are characterized by pinhead-sized hollows on the nails.
The psoriatic oil stain, on the other hand, describes yellowish discolorations caused by dandruff. Crumb nails are caused by damage to the nail plate, whereby the nail becomes crumbly and sometimes even splinters. The formation of scales and nail changes cause severe pain when walking or grasping.
Nail psoriasis slows down the patient in everyday activities and is therefore very stressful. A strong impact on the nail or the nail matrix can lead to the development of a bruise (med. haematoma).
The nail bed is discolored blue-black by the hematoma. The violent impact can cause the blood vessels to tear and bleed into the nail bed. The blood can no longer flow off and the nail plate is thus slightly lifted.
In this way a pressure is created which can cause severe pain. The pain can be alleviated by immediately lifting and cooling the nail. It takes several months until the hematoma grows out completely.
Bruising under the nail ?a torn or torn fingernail is one of the most common nail injuries. If a fingernail tears, one should be careful and try to prevent a further tearing or even complete tearing. The nail often tears directly at the transition of the free nail edge to the beginning of the nail bed.
In order to prevent a further tearing of the fingernail, one should cut the nail as short as possible and stick a plaster over it. There are indeed nail polishes that contain ingredients that are harmful to health. Formaldehyde, toluene and phthalates are chemical substances that can have a negative effect on nail health. In order not to weaken the nails, you should take a break from nail polish every now and then or use more compatible nail polishes.
