The pain under the fingernail

introduction

Pain under the fingernail is a subjective unpleasant sensation that is localized under the fingernail. Those affected suffer from pain.
The fingernail itself is not supplied with sensitive care, but the nail bed underneath is extremely sensitive to pain.

The possible causes

Various causes can trigger pain under the fingernail.

Inflammation of the nail bed is a widespread condition that can cause great pain, even if they are tiny.
In addition, fingernail injuries are also very common in which the nail tears or even tears completely. If the sensitive nail bed is exposed, those affected suffer from severe pain.

There is also a special form of psoriasis, nail psoriasis. With this form of psoriasis, sufferers suffer from enormous changes in their nails, which typically cause pain when walking or grasping.

The nail bed inflammation as the cause

The nail bed can become inflamed in both the finger and the toe. This usually happens when pathogens such as bacteria or fungi penetrate the nail bed through tiny wounds and lead to a painful inflammation.

In acute inflammation of the nail bed, the skin under and / or around the nail bed is red, swollen and warmed up. People typically experience throbbing pain.
Depending on the stage of the disease and the cause or the pathogen, anti-inflammatory drugs or the use of antibiotics may be necessary. If you suffer from nail bed inflammation or concomitant diseases such as diabetes mellitus, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Find out all about the topic here: Inflammation of the nail bed.

Psoriasis as the cause

Psoriasis (so-called psoriasis) also affects the fingernails and toenails of many sufferers. Typical nail changes such as spot nails, oil stains and crumb nails are revealed.
Dot nails are characterized by pin-head-sized hollows on the nails. The psoriatic oil stain, on the other hand, describes yellowish discoloration caused by dandruff. Crumbly nails arise from damage to the nail plate, whereby the nail becomes crumbly and sometimes even splinters.

The dandruff and nail changes cause severe pain in the sick when walking or grasping. Nail psoriasis slows sufferers in everyday activities and is therefore very stressful.

Read more about the topic here: Psoriasis.

The bruise as the cause

A strong impact on the nail or the nail matrix can lead to the formation of a bruise (med. Hematoma) to lead. The nail bed is colored blue-black by the hematoma.

The force of force can tear the blood vessels and bleed into the nail bed. The blood can no longer drain and the nail plate is lifted slightly. This creates pressure that can definitely cause severe pain.
The discomfort can be alleviated by immediately elevating and cooling the nail. It takes a few months for the hematoma to grow out completely.

Bruise under the nail? Read more about this here.

The torn fingernail as the cause

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 further tearing or even tearing off completely. The nail often tears immediately at the transition from the free nail edge to the beginning of the nail bed.

To prevent further tearing of the fingernail, one should cut the nail as short as possible and stick a plaster over it.

Find out more about the topic here: cracked nail.

The nail polish as the cause

There are actually nail polishes that contain ingredients that are harmful to health. Formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalates are chemical substances that can have a negative impact on nail health.

In order not to weaken the nails, you should occasionally take a break from lacquer or use more compatible nail polishes.

The accompanying symptoms

Depending on the cause of the pain under the fingernail, various accompanying complaints can occur.

Inflammation of the nail bed is typically associated with redness, swelling, and warming of the inflamed area.
A torn nail initially causes pain, but it can also become inflamed and cause the classic symptoms of inflammation such as redness, swelling and warming.

If psoriasis is the cause of the pain, symptoms such as flaking, splintering and yellowing of the nails also occur. In addition, those affected are severely restricted in their movements due to the severe pain.

The diagnosis

If you have pain under your fingernail, you can first consult your family doctor or a dermatologist (dermatologist).

The diagnosis is easy to make if the fingernail is torn or torn off. If the nail bed is inflamed, the affected fingernail must be thoroughly examined and, if necessary, treatment with a local or systemic antibiotic initiated.
In the case of nail psoriasis, it is important to have the care of a dermatologist in order to monitor the condition of the nails and treat them specifically.

The treatment

Treatment for pain under the fingernail is determined by the cause of the discomfort.

In the mild stage of inflammation of the nail bed, the person affected will be treated with baths, for example with chamomile, and other home remedies such as arnica or onion extract. An anti-inflammatory pull ointment can occasionally help. If the nail bed is severely inflamed, medical treatment is necessary. Antiseptic agents and antibiotics can be used for this.

In contrast, torn fingernails can be fixed with a tea bag and / or clear varnish. The nails should be cut as short as possible and ideally masked with a plaster.

In the case of nail psoriasis, however, early treatment is very important. While speckled nails and oil stains are not of great disease value, splintering must be prevented. There are various preparations for this that are applied to the nails. Substances such as cortisone or cortisone with calcipotriol, a vitamin D3 derivative, are often used.

The duration

In the case of acute inflammation of the nail bed, targeted treatment typically leads to a complete healing of the disease. The inflammation usually lasts for days to a week or two.
In chronic persistent nail bed inflammation, another possible cause of the inflammation should be sought.

A torn fingernail usually heals without complications. The crack grows out within one or more weeks, depending on the depth of the crack.

Psoriasis on the fingernails is more persistent. With a targeted therapy, the fingernails can often be improved in nail psoriasis. Unfortunately, the psoriasis keeps coming back, so that the nail psoriasis almost never completely disappears.