The main purpose of the stratum corneum at the fingertips is to protect the nerve endings localized on the phalanges. The formation of nail plates comes from keratinized cells. That is, there are no nerve fibers directly in the stratum corneum. At the doctor’s appointment, some patients are interested in why the nails on my hands hurt. In fact, uncomfortable sensations arise directly under or near the plates. Below is information on why fingernails hurt and how to quickly get rid of unpleasant symptoms.
Various kinds of injuries
If discomfort is disturbed in the area of only one plate, for example, on the thumb or little finger, the most likely cause is a bruise.
It is necessary to carefully examine the state of the stratum corneum. If there is even a slight hemorrhage underneath it, the cause is definitely an injury. With regards to why it hurts on the hands under the nails in this case. Upon receipt of an injury that is not accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the skin and stratum corneum, a rupture of capillaries occurs, located directly under the plate or next to it. A natural result is the outflow of fluid connective tissue.
Most often, under the nail, you can notice dots, spots or strips of maroon or black. As the bruising resolves, it begins to take on a bluish tint.
After serious injury, it is recommended that you consult a doctor. Small injuries do not require treatment and pass independently in a few days.
Felon
This term refers to acute inflammation of a purulent nature. Finger tissue from the side of the nail is involved in the pathological process.
The causative agent of panaritium is most often staphylococcus. Less commonly, the following pathogens are detected in patients: proteus, streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. An infectious agent enters the body through minor damage to the skin. Since the wounds are very small, most people do not treat them, so that the process of active life of the pathogen is started.
After a while, purulent exudate begins to form. Pathological fluid can not go outside, it spreads through the jumpers of the subcutaneous fat layer. Over time, muscle tissue, ligaments, joints and tendons are affected. That's why the fingers under the nails hurt on the hands.
Clinical manifestations of the disease:
- Purulent mass, which is visible directly under the plate.
- Pronounced painful sensations of a pulsating nature.
- Swelling and redness of the fingertip.
As it heals, the stratum corneum exfoliates. The intensity of the pain decreases, and the pus resolves.
In practice, it is often diagnosed as a near-colontic felon. In this case, the skin roller near the plate is involved in the pathological process. Why do fingernails hurt in this case? The infectious agent also penetrates the body, but already through deeper injuries.
Symptoms in this case develop after 5-6 days. Clinical manifestations of the periungual panaritium:
- Strong pain.
- Redness and swelling of the skin roller. The fabrics are stretched and as if about to burst.
- An accumulation of pus can be found under the skin.
- With a deep lesion, the pathological exudate rushes deep into the tissues, resulting in a loss of connection between the stratum corneum and the nail bed.
Panaritium treatment is most often conservative. With deep lesions, surgical intervention is indicated, during which the doctor opens the abscess and removes the exudate. Sometimes inflammation passes to the bones. In this case, you cannot always save your finger.
Onychomycosis
This is a pathology of an infectious nature, the causative agent of which is a fungus. As a result of the active life of the pathogen, one nail or several is affected at once.
The infection enters the stratum corneum, where it begins to form tunnels. As a result, when pressed, the nails on my hands hurt.
Why does the pathological process develop:
- Visiting common areas. A striking example is the baths, saunas and gyms.
- The use of the same household items. Very often, the pathogen is transmitted from one family member to another through towels, gloves, washcloths.
Not all cases of infection develop a pathological process. The following diseases and conditions are provoking factors:
- Various kinds of injuries.
- Immunodeficiency.
- Diabetes.
- Ignoring the need for hygiene.
Clinical manifestations of onychomycosis:
- Pain under or near the nails.
- Discoloration of the horn plate.
- Thickening of the nail.
- Plate deformation.
If signs of fungal infection occur, consult a dermatologist. The specialist will conduct diagnostic measures, tell you why the nails on the hands hurt and how to treat the disease.
Polyosteoarthrosis
This term refers to a disease of a chronic nature, in which damage to the joints and bone tissue occurs.
With regards to why the fingernail hurts the finger in this case. Under the influence of any provoking factors, the joint and bone are bent and destroyed. In this case, each patient complains of severe pain, because of which it is almost impossible to bend the finger. Pressing the nail also causes discomfort.
The main causes of the development of the disease:
- Natural processes of aging.
- A lifestyle that does not imply motor activity.
- Various types of injuries to one or more fingers.
When you try to bend the phalanx, a crunch is heard. In some cases, the joint is deformed so much that it becomes impossible to move a finger.
Treatment of the disease requires an integrated approach. It is completely impossible to get rid of the disease. The main goal of therapy is to stop the progression of pathology and achieve the onset of a period of persistent remission. If conservative methods are ineffective, the doctor evaluates the feasibility of surgery.
Unbalanced diet
Many people do not adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle. Meanwhile, its foundation is proper nutrition. The regular use of junk food negatively affects the functioning of the body's defense system. The consequence of this condition is the deterioration of the stratum corneum.
It is worthwhile to understand why it hurts on the arm near the nail or under it. Against the background of a shortage of vital components, the plate becomes thinner and breaks easily. This in all cases leads to painful sensations. Sometimes they appear only when you press the nail.
In order to get rid of discomfort, it is necessary to make adjustments to the diet. In addition, it is recommended to make hand baths with sea salt.
Cosmetics and procedures
In some women, discomfort occurs after removing the varnish. In this case, the tips of the fingernails often hurt. Why is this happening? It is important to know that any varnish and means for removing it penetrate the stratum corneum and contribute to a change in its structure. Most often, pain occurs on the tips of the nails immediately after removing the pigment.
Discomfort may also occur after removal of materials designed to build up the plate. Its appearance is due to a long period of lack of access of light and air to the nails.
Who to contact
If you experience pain under or near the nails, it is recommended to make an appointment with the therapist. This is a general specialist who will schedule an examination, based on its results, determine the nature of the ailment and tell you why a finger hurts on the arm near the nail or under the plate.
After conducting diagnostic measures, the therapist can refer to a dermatologist, rheumatologist, surgeon, and even an endocrinologist.
First aid
In most cases, pain in the fingertips significantly affects the quality of life. To get rid of them for a while, you can make baths with chamomile, sea salt or baking soda. The procedure is recommended several times a day.
For fungal infections, ammonia can be used. A tablespoon of liquid must be added to a glass of water. In the resulting product, moisten a piece of gauze tissue and attach it to the affected area for half an hour.
Doctors Recommendations
To prevent the occurrence of pain under or near the nails, the following rules must be observed:
- Timely treat all identified diseases, including those of a chronic nature.
- Wear protective gloves when in contact with household chemicals.
- Carry out cosmetic procedures in strict accordance with the standards. Do not abuse them.
- Even with a slight violation of the integrity of the skin, treat the foci with antiseptics.
- Strengthen the body's defenses.
- Take vitamin complexes.
- Follow the principles of good nutrition.
In addition, doctors advise getting rid of addictions.
Finally
There are no nerve endings directly in the nails, so painful sensations cannot occur in the plates themselves. However, in practice, patients often complain of discomfort in the stratum corneum. In fact, the skin near the nails or under them hurts. The causes of this condition are very diverse. Uncomfortable sensations can occur even against the background of poor nutrition. The most serious reason is panaritium. This is a pathology, with untimely treatment of which you can not even save a finger.