Headache, toothache, pain in joints, muscles... Probably every person has experienced all these types of pain syndrome. Much less common are more unexpected types of pain, such as pain in the nails. Some people don’t even realize that their nails can hurt until they experience this phenomenon themselves.
An unhealthy diet that contains many artificial flavors, dyes and preservatives can contribute to the appearance of painful sensations. Improper care, low quality varnishes and other cosmetics used to care for nails and hands (or feet) can also negatively affect the health of the nail plates.
There may be several reasons that cause pain in the toenails.
One of the most common causes of pain radiating to the nail plate and the area around it. Bruises and other mechanical injuries to the fingers can be very painful, and in some cases the pain spreads not only to the affected area, but also affects neighboring fingers.
With bruises of varying intensity, you can notice other symptoms, for example:
Important! In case of injuries and fractures, the only symptom may be a sharp pain in the finger and nail plate, so if there is no effect from the use of painkillers, you must consult a traumatologist!
The second most common cause of pain is in the thumbnail. Fungal infections can spread to healthy nails when visiting public places, such as baths, saunas, and swimming pools. Treating fungus is difficult and takes a long time. In most cases, potent systemic drugs may be needed, which have an impressive list of contraindications and side effects.
With a fungal infection, the nail may turn yellow (at the initial stage) and even turn black (in the case when the infection affects not only the entire surface of the nail, but also the deeper layers of the dermis). Constant itching, burning, a strong putrid odor - all this indicates the presence of fungus. If the damage is severe, the nail will have to be removed to avoid secondary infection.
Improper nail care (in particular, improper trimming) can lead to such an unpleasant and painful problem as an ingrown nail. A nail plate that grows into the skin of the thumb can cause severe pain, depriving a person of the ability to move and do normal activities.
Tight shoes also contribute to changes in the normal growth of the nail plates, since the big toe is the most protruding point of the foot.
Important! To avoid nails growing into the skin of your fingers, you should remember that fingernails are cut in a semicircle, and toenails are cut in a straight line!
Unlike pain that appears on the toenails, pain in the nail plate of the thumb almost always indicates serious diseases that occur in a chronic form.
Polyosteoarthrosis . Another name for this disease that doctors use in everyday life is knobby fingers. This term was not chosen by chance. The main feature is the appearance of nodules that are located right at the base of the nail, causing severe discomfort. When you press on the nail at the site of the nodes, a sharp pain occurs.
Raynaud's syndrome . They are characterized by numbness of several fingers (usually 2-3) and pain that occurs if the patient tries to raise his hand up. Often the disease progresses during pregnancy, since hormonal imbalance is considered one of the main causes of its occurrence. Stress, as well as diseases of bone tissue and joints can also trigger the appearance of this symptom.
Arthritis (rheumatoid and psoriatic) . Diseases of the joints of the fingers, in which the mobility of the finger is almost impossible due to the severe pain experienced by the patient with this diagnosis. The sore finger begins to swell, turn red, after which pain appears, which intensifies when you press on the nail. With psoriatic arthritis, symptoms of psoriasis can be noticed on the skin of the thumb - peeling, the appearance of dry red spots and itchy skin.
Gout. It is also characterized by high intensity of pain symptoms. When diagnosing this disease, the patient will have to go to the hospital, since prescribing treatment requires a comprehensive and thorough examination.
Acute, shooting pain under the nails most often indicates that a foreign body or other irritant (for example, a splinter) has gotten under the nail plate. In this case, it is important to remove it from under the nail in time and disinfect the sore spot. If you can’t learn how to remove a speck or sliver on your own, you should go to the surgical department.
The cause of pain under the nails may not always be so harmless. In 30% of cases, pain syndrome accompanies a terrible disease - purulent panaritium . This is a severe inflammation of the soft tissues of the fingers (less common on the feet). The abscess can be located in close proximity to the nail, at its very base, or it can be located under the nail.
In this case, the patient is indicated for inpatient treatment in the surgical department. The doctor will remove the nail plate and open the abscess to release the purulent contents. A healthy nail usually grows the same as the previous one, but in some cases there may be a slight difference in size (mainly in width).
Important! Purulent panaritium is a dangerous disease! If pus penetrates the bone tissue, gangrene may begin. If this happens, the patient will have to have his finger amputated.
If pain appears in the nails or under them, it is necessary to exclude fungal infections, so consultation with a dermatologist in this case is mandatory. In addition, you will have to visit a surgeon and traumatologist (if you suspect a bruise). It is recommended to start the examination with a consultation with a local therapist. The doctor will examine the painful area, collect a medical history and make a conclusion about the possible causes of the pain syndrome.
After making a preliminary diagnosis, the patient will be sent to specialized offices to clarify and prescribe treatment.
Attention! In case of acute pain, the presence of a foreign body (chips, splinters, needles), or the formation of an abscess, you must contact the emergency room of the emergency department or surgical department.
There is no universal way to get rid of pain in the nails - the list of reasons that can cause the symptom to appear is quite extensive. The most reasonable thing to do is to go to a hospital or clinic. At home, you can only try to relieve the pain and make it less intense. There are several ways to do this.
In case of severe pain caused, for example, by panaritium or gout, the use of analgesic drugs is ineffective, so under no circumstances should you delay visiting a doctor.
Nails are keratinized, dense formations that are found on the tips of the hands and feet. Their function is to protect the nerve endings of the terminal phalanges of the fingers from external influences. Each of the nails lies in a special bed. The nail plate receives nutrition through small vessels through the blood. Capillaries provide the nail with a pinkish tint.
The layers of water and fat that lie between the keratin layer provide the nail plates with flexibility and elasticity. But due to external influences, sometimes people’s fingernails hurt. This unpleasant phenomenon is quite understandable. However, in order to identify why nails hurt, it is important to understand the cause of such discomfort. This often helps prevent the development of many health problems.
Before starting treatment, it is important to find out why your nails hurt. After all, they do not have nerve cells. However, the surface of the nail plate still sometimes causes discomfort. The reasons for this phenomenon are determined by the state of the body. This may be due to various infectious diseases or decreased immunity.
With the intense pace of life, modern people have very little free time. Therefore, balanced and timely nutrition often fades into the background. As a result, a person snacks on the go. His diet can hardly be called healthy or correct. To solve this problem, you need to set a meal schedule and never skip meals. Food should be healthy. The presence of fruits and vegetables in the diet deserves special attention. This approach will help solve the problem with nails and improve the functioning of the digestive system.
The composition of the nail plate includes zinc, phosphorus and even arsenic atoms. They regulate the hardness and strength of the nail. Consequently, the lack of such elements worsens the condition of the nail plate. This may cause discomfort.
The growth of the nail plate is directly related to the activity of hormones in the body, nutrition, climatic conditions, and physiological state. During lactation, nail growth slows down significantly.
Every body needs calcium. This important mineral makes bones strong. As a result, they can withstand different loads. In addition, calcium is very important for natural plates. After all, human nails are made of calcium. If there is a lack of this element, the nail plates hurt. They peel off and become brittle. Such disorders occur due to both a lack and an excess of calcium. Therefore, it is important to monitor the level of this mineral in the body.
Most often, nails hurt due to vitamin deficiency. This problem is often accompanied by a number of other unpleasant symptoms. These include paleness and flaking of the skin. If your fingernails are painful, it is important to take vitamin complexes. Their systematic use will avoid discomfort.
Often the cause of pain in the nail plate is poor-quality cosmetics. The same nail polish or nail polish remover has a negative effect. After removing the harmful varnish, pain often occurs. The varnish impregnates the natural plate with its elements. He irritates her, which causes pain.
It is quite simple to get rid of this problem by refusing to use nail polishes, or using exclusively high-quality products. However, it should be understood that the amount of application of cosmetics also affects. If the polish is applied too often, the nail plates will not breathe. They need a break from cosmetics. Therefore, it is important to take a short week-long break from varnishes.
Pain may also occur due to exposure to cosmetic remover liquid. When choosing them, you need to take into account that the composition should not include acetone or other alcohols. The use of low-quality nail polish remover leads to the appearance of cracks directly on the nail plate.
Some masters approach the manicure procedure irresponsibly. Therefore, clients sometimes experience pain. To get a high-quality manicure, it is better to go to trusted salons. Of course, the cost of services will be much higher. But such procedures are safer, they will help preserve your health and nerves.
Sometimes a person simply hits or presses down a nail or pinches a finger. Of course, such mechanical action causes pain. In such situations, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
Some people have very fragile plates from birth. This means that they are prone to injuries and various deformities. Dealing with the problem is not easy, because it is almost impossible to change genetics. This condition is corrected according to medical recommendations.
Everyone's nails can hurt due to infectious diseases. First of all, because of the fungus. Therefore, the feeling of discomfort should not be tolerated. It is important to promptly identify the root cause of this manifestation.
This problem is considered quite serious. Only a qualified doctor can solve it. Initially, it may seem that the finger under the nail hurts. But the plate needs to be treated. After all, suppuration cannot be ruled out. Without treatment, people sometimes lose an entire finger.
If the nail plate grows in, it will hurt. Therefore, it is important to cut your nails correctly. Particular attention should be paid to the corners of the nail plates, and hangnails should be removed in a timely manner.
To avoid pain, quality nail care is important. It is advisable to use harmless medicinal varnish, which is sold in pharmacies. It contains useful substances that have a positive effect on the condition of the nail plate. This product is applied under regular varnish as a base. This allows you to protect the nail from negative influences. This procedure should be performed regularly. Salt baths will also come to the rescue. Their use will make your nail plates healthy and beautiful.
A black toenail does not always indicate a disease. There are several prerequisites for this phenomenon; by carefully familiarizing yourself with the reasons and taking timely measures, you can prevent its further destruction.
If the appearance of the nail plate on the foot changes, it is necessary to find out the reason. Darkening of the plate on the hand can be caused by the same factors.
The causes of blackening are divided into 2 broad categories:
Blackened nail in the photo. Hematoma after a bruise.
The most popular cause of darkening is injury. After an injury, the color changes due to a burst vessel, which causes a bruise to appear under the plate. Sometimes a very minor injury is enough for the toenail to turn black. If no physical impact was exerted, perhaps the cause of the blackness of the nail plate was too tight and uncomfortable shoes.
Signs of nail staining black due to injury are as follows:
If the cause of the change in nail color is injury, and there is no severe discomfort or pain, then this does not pose any danger to a person.
Over time, the color will return to normal, although in some cases it is necessary to wait until the nail plate is completely replaced.
Sometimes the use of varnish can cause the nail plate to darken. Some cosmetics are not of sufficient quality, so they penetrate deeply into the structure of the nails, causing them to darken. Blackness cannot always be removed with nail polish remover; all you have to do is wait for the plate to grow back. For the same reason, fingernails and fingernails often darken.
Fungal diseases of the toenails are very common. In addition to darkening, there are several symptoms of a fungal disease:
If all these symptoms are present, the blackening of the toenail is caused by a fungal infection. To prevent the spread of infection, you must visit a doctor and undergo the necessary tests to prescribe timely treatment.
Another reason that causes a nail to turn black is a benign tumor. This is a serious disease that causes significant pain. If you experience discomfort, pain, or dark nail color, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible to prevent serious consequences. Liver damage can also cause blackened toenails or fingernails in some cases.
Another reason in the video:
The reasons for the blackening of the nail plate on the big toe are not very different from the general ones, however, a black nail on the big toe can also appear due to other factors:
A little more about possible reasons:
When the slightest darkening of the nail plate appears on the toes, the first thing you should do is find out the cause.
If all signs and symptoms indicate that the nail has turned black due to a minor injury, there is no severe pain and no discomfort occurs, there is no need to immediately visit a doctor. For your own peace of mind and confidence in your health, it is still recommended, if possible, to visit a surgeon to rule out a broken finger, cracks and tumors. You can also go to your nearest emergency room.
If accompanying symptoms indicate a fungal infection or other serious illness, you should consult a dermatologist or physician as soon as possible. Sometimes a consultation with an oncologist may be necessary. The doctor will prescribe an examination and select the necessary treatment that will help avoid serious consequences. In some cases, with severe pain and fever, failure to timely identify the cause can be life-threatening.
If dark nails appear on your toes, treatment directly depends on the cause of this phenomenon.
If you are sure that your toenails are darkening due to injury or chafing, there is no need for specific treatment. As the injured plate grows, it will be replaced by a healthy one, or the blackness will gradually decrease, lighten, until it disappears.
An exception occurs if the affected area hurts, there is noticeable discomfort when walking, or there is inflammation around the nail.
If these symptoms appear, it is necessary to regularly treat the injured area with antiseptics, absorbable drugs, and in some cases you cannot do without an antibiotic. Treatment depends entirely on the severity of the injury and is prescribed by a doctor.
For darkening caused by the presence of fungus, there may be several treatment options. Among people who put off visiting a doctor until the last resort, traditional methods of treatment are popular. Some recipes are very effective, especially at an early stage:
If traditional methods do not inspire confidence, you can purchase modern drugs from pharmaceutical companies at the pharmacy. Their diversity allows you to choose a product to suit every taste and depending on your financial capabilities. Treatment must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, comprehensively from the outside and from the inside, for greatest effectiveness. The drugs are available in several dosage forms:
If the thumb is a different nail color due to injury or fungal infection, treatment is the same as for the rest. In cases where blackening is caused by poor circulation and problems with the cardiovascular system, the blackness will disappear only after proper treatment of the cause of its appearance. External influence in this case will not bring any results.
The nails on the big toes often change color due to disruptions in the functioning of internal organs, especially when it comes to disruptions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the cause should also be treated, and the effect (black thumbnail) will disappear on its own.
It is important to remember that self-medication is only possible if you are completely sure that there is no serious disease causing the problem. If there is the slightest doubt about the cause of this problem, you need to find time to visit a doctor to prevent unpleasant consequences.
Agree that pain is always unpleasant. Imagine the situation: you put on shoes and experience pain, and it hurts neither your finger nor your foot, but the area around the nail. There are various possible causes: injury, ingrown toenail, panaritium. They can occur after an unsuccessful toe pedicure, if a corner is cut out, or as a result of uncomfortable shoes.
If treatment is not started in time, the inflammatory process in the nail can lead to surgery. This will create conditions for the removal of the nail, phalanx of the finger, and you can remain disabled for the rest of your life. Let's figure out why this could be.
Nail growth is ensured by the supply of minerals through the circulatory system. Nerve endings are concentrated at the fingertips. Any injury or inflammatory process brings pain, which is concentrated near the nail. Once it occurs, it does not subside on its own without treatment and intensifies over time, becoming unbearable, bringing suffering and insomnia.
From an anatomical point of view, the nail grows at the end of the phalanx of the finger. It is located in the nail bed, where growth cells are located. The nail plate is a stratum corneum that protects the fingertips. In general, the structure is as follows:
It is noteworthy that it is the growth of cuticular formations that often causes pain near the nail.
Whatever the cause of the traumatic effect on the finger and nail, the development of pain is subject to one scenario:
In some cases, when the pressure was too high, changes in the structure and color of the nail are immediately noticeable. As a rule, the tissue surrounding the nail plate is involved in the process. The finger swells, swells, turns red. If the swelling spreads to the foot, this may be a sign of a crack in the phalanx or a fracture of the toe. Only a traumatologist can establish the truth using an external examination and an x-ray.
A damaged nail that has changed color will come off on its own over time. In exceptional cases, the help of a surgeon will be required to remove the dead stratum corneum of the nail and prescribe treatment. This is necessary due to the fact that during the process of tissue death, the bed and matrix remain unprotected and can also cause pain around the fingernail.
After removal, the doctor will prescribe bandages that should be changed daily and vitamins to promote nail plate growth. It is possible that for some time you will have to take painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, treat the surface of the finger with special ointments that prevent the development of infection.
The felon may affect the phalanx bone. This is a purulent process, and depending on where it is localized and how it proceeds, the following types are distinguished:
An inflamed finger or nail damage can be the result of various types of injuries: in the form of microdamages, injections, splinters, after a pedicure, cuts, cuts, or foreign objects entering the upper layer of the epidermis.
In general, there are several reasons for the occurrence of a purulent process:
Provoking factors can be endocrinological diseases, immune response disorders, vitamin deficiency, problems with trophic processes caused by thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities after infectious diseases.
Therefore, people prone to such diseases should be especially careful about the possibility of leg injuries and protect their finger from hitting a corner or a sharp object. Complications develop more quickly in them, and lack of treatment can lead to amputation of a finger, foot, entire limb, or death.
If felon occurs on the toe, then its symptomatic manifestations will vary in appearance.
There are three stages characterizing the formation of felon.
If you do not pay attention in time, the process can affect bone structures that are difficult to treat. In order to get rid of the disease, antibiotics and antibacterial drugs, local treatment with ointments and tinctures are prescribed. When treating the wound, sterile conditions are observed to avoid further spread of infection. In extreme cases, surgery is prescribed. The surgeon opens the abscess and cleans the wound. A specialized tool is used to remove nails. The operation is performed on an outpatient basis. Healing occurs naturally.
It is necessary to treat the problem, but first the true cause of the pain must be established. This can be done by carefully examining the sore finger.
One of the common complaints from patients indicating that they have a sore finger and inflamed skin around the nail is an ingrown toenail. The reasons are different and in each case they are purely individual:
Modern medicine has a wide arsenal of tools that allow you to get rid of the problem forever. The doctor may suggest laser treatment of the affected area of skin around the nail, irradiation with radio waves, up to complete removal of the nail.
Often, if the problem occurs only once, it can be dealt with at home. It is important to change shoes, monitor the condition of the skin and use antibacterial and antifungal agents. After a shower, dry your feet thoroughly, because a humid environment creates comfortable conditions for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. It would be a good idea to get a professional pedicure only in trusted salons. By observing these conditions, the likelihood that the nail will grow into the skin and that pain will appear near it is significantly reduced.
Maintaining hygiene and caution will allow anyone to avoid problems with the skin around the nail, its possible inflammation and long-term treatment.