Easy Ways to Figure Out Why Your Fingernails Hurt

Ways to figure out why your fingernails hurt? When you press on your fingernail, it can hurt for many different reasons. Some of them are common, like getting hurt, and can be taken care of at home.

But there may be more serious reasons for fingernail pain that need to be checked out by a doctor. Here are several possible reasons why your fingernail hurts when you squeeze it and what you can do about it.

Reasons Why Fingernail Hurts When Pressed

Irregular Fingernail

If you cut or bite your nail too close to the nail bed, hurt it, or have a fungal infection, it can grow into the nail bed.

Most of the time, ingrown nails happen on the toes. They can, however, show up on fingernails and make pressing on the nail unbearably painful. It is a common problem that affects between 2.5 and 5% of people.

There are many signs of an ingrown fingernail: pain, tenderness, bleeding, swelling, and redness.

How to do at home

Here are some things you can do at home to treat ingrown nails:

• Twice a day, soak the finger in warm water for 10 to 20 minutes.
• Use a topical antibiotic cream to keep from getting sick.
• Putting a bandage on the hurt spot

When you should see a doctor

There are many reasons why someone needs to see a doctor. These are some of them:

• Ingrown fingernails that don’t go away or are painful
• Fever
• Fingers getting bigger
• Redness
• The warmth in the area

You can take care of these by:

• Prescriptions for antibiotics or steroid drugs
• Using tape to cover the nail
• Putting a cotton ball under the nail can help it grow.
• A procedure where part or all of the nail is taken off.

Nail that is torn or cracked

When you put pressure on a broken or peeled nail, it can hurt and expose the nail bed. It can hurt a lot until new skin grows over the area. After a week, new skin will form, and after a month or two, the nail should grow back over the weak spot.

How to do at home

For sensitive skin that is exposed under the nail bed:

• Use clean tools, like a nail clipper or nail scissors, to cut any nails that are hanging off your finger.
• Wash and soak the nail in cool water.
• Use an antibiotic ointment to stop an infection.
• Put a bandage on the wound while it heals.

When you should see a doctor

See a doctor if the pain lasts more than a week or if the spot doesn’t get better. This could be a sign of an infection that needs to be checked out by a doctor.

Hangnail tore off

Hangnails are the thin pieces of skin that hang off of your fingernails. Because your skin gets drier in the winter, you’re more likely to get hangnails. If you tear or rip them, it can hurt and make you more likely to get sick.

How to do at home

• To get rid of a torn hangnail, wash your hand well with soap and warm water.
• Cover the nail with a bandage and an antibiotic cream.
• When you should see a doctor
• Hangnails that still hurt or don’t get better after a few days may be infected and need to be checked out by a doctor.
• An antibiotic may be put on the infected area or given to you to take by mouth.

Nail Fungus

Fungus on your fingernails can make them look bad and hurt when you press on them.

People can get the fungus in damp places. Your nail could get darker, thicker, thinner, or crumbly. If the fungus keeps growing, it could hurt.

How to do at home

You can stop nail fungus with treatments you can buy over-the-counter or do at home, such as tea tree oil, and oregano oil vinegar vapor rub.

When you should see a doctor

To get rid of the fungus, a doctor may recommend a stronger topical antifungal or an antifungal pill, or the nail may have to be cut off.

Hematoma

A hematoma happens when you break your finger or drop something heavy on it. When you cut yourself, blood or other fluids collect under your nail and cause pain.

You could suppose you have a bruise under your nail. Your fingernails will change from pink to purple, brown, or even black. As your nail grows, the hematoma will go away over a few months.

How to do at home

At-home treatments for a fingernail hematoma include the following:

• Putting a finger down
• Putting a cold compress on the finger and lifting it up
• Press gently on the nail to stop the bleeding.
• Taking painkillers you can buy over the counter

When you should see a doctor

If a hematoma gets worse or hurts too much, a doctor will need to treat it.

See a doctor if you hurt the nail bed. A doctor may suggest draining the hematoma to get rid of the pain.

Paronychia

The swelling around your fingernail or toenail is called paronychia. It can be painful and make your skin red. This illness can happen to anyone at any time.

It can happen if you have an acute cut near your nail or if you do something that makes your hands cold and wet (chronic). Fungi, bacteria, or dermatitis can cause this illness.

How to do at home

Putting a hurt fingernail in warm water for 20 minutes at a time can help heal it. To get rid of chronic paronychia, keep your hands dry and warm. Keeping your nails clean is also a good idea.

When you should see a doctor

This illness may need antibiotics, steroids, antifungals, or other medical treatments like drainage or nail removal.

Subungal Tumors

Subungal tumors look like bumps under the fingernail, and they can cause a lot of pain. A doctor will need to figure out what kind of tumors these are and how to treat them.

When you should see a doctor

One or more tests, performed in the doctor’s office or in a lab, can detect the tumor. The removal of the tumor will most likely include removing all or part of the nail, followed by the removal of the nail itself after the skin has been exposed.

If you have any of these signs, you should see a doctor right away.

• You’re hurting a lot, and it’s getting worse.
• The nail has come loose or opened up.
• It is impossible to stop bleeding.
• You can see red streaks around the nail.
• Your body has a lot of fluid buildup or edema.
• You have pain in your fingernails or an injury that doesn’t get better after a few weeks or months.

Summary

When you push on your fingernail, you may experience discomfort for a variety of reasons, including an injury or an infection. These are just a couple of the potential causes. Growing under the nail is a significant contributor to fingernail discomfort and is one of the most common causes.

You might be able to ease the pain at home with a cold pack or a warm bath. Your nail may need antibiotics to keep it from getting sick.

See a doctor if you’re in a lot of pain or think it might be a sign of something worse.

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