As a rule, the reason is health status, nail pathologies, and negative external influences on the nail plate. Depending on the nature, duration of the pain, whether it is present on only one finger or on all of them at once, we can assume what caused it. But the doctor makes an accurate diagnosis. More often, the problem occurs in women due to improper manicure, errors in applying or removing gel polish, or nail extensions.
Causes of ingrown toenails
The main causes of ingrown nail plates include:
· valgus deformity (curvature of the big toe at the joint level) associated with flat feet, and other anatomical changes in the foot: improper placement of the toes, their pressing on each other inside the shoe can lead to ingrown toenails
genetic predisposition: hereditary deformation of the nail plate and lateral periungual skin ridges
· circulatory disorders caused by diseases such as varicose veins, diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders: diseases are accompanied by swelling of the legs, feet, fingers, which leads to ingrown nails
· inflammatory processes - fungal and bacterial diseases: the nail becomes thicker, may lose its previous shape, crumble, thereby damaging the nail fold and causing inflammation
· incorrectly selected shoes: narrow or smaller, squeezing the toes; without a backdrop, leading to the toes resting on the toe of the shoe when walking; high heels, increasing the load on the fingers; on a hard sole, leading to a lack of softening while walking
· incorrectly performed pedicure: trimming nails too short, cutting off the corners of the nail plates
· injury to the toes: bruises leading to damage to the nail and its further abnormal growth
· high load on the legs: physical activity, excess weight, pregnancy, hormonal changes
Ingrown nail
- a problem that causes pain and discomfort, and inaction leads to more severe consequences. Constant pain, the inability to wear any shoes, purulent formations and inflammation around the nail plate are only part of the unpleasant complications associated with onychocryptosis. If you notice the first signs of an ingrown toenail, be sure to schedule a consultation with a specialist.
Why do my nails hurt after removing gel polish or applying a coating?
This is a problem that many women face. Pain in the nail plate appears after removing, applying or wearing gel polish. What is the reason for this reaction of the nails, if they are healthy and there are no problems?
- Soaking with acetone, wrapping in foil to remove gel polish. Acetone irritates the cuticle and skin of the fingers, dries the plate, making it brittle and fragile. To remove the gel coating after a compress with acetone, the master scrapes the nail, and along with the remaining varnish, he scrapes off the top layer of the plate;
- Cuts during hardware processing. Occurs when the cutters are handled carelessly, or their abrasiveness, size, or angle of application are incorrectly selected. In the place where the cut was made under the gel polish, the nail hurts and becomes deformed;
- Using an acid primer. Primer is a liquid that improves the adhesion of the base to the natural nail. The acid primer contains methacrylic acid, which makes the surface of the plate dry and rough. If you use such a primer constantly, then this is the reason why the nail under the gel hurts;
- Dry the base coat under a lamp. While the base is drying, a slight burning sensation is felt. This is due to the fact that when the material hardens, a lot of heat is generated. It is important that the burning is minimal and short-lived, otherwise the nail will suffer;
- Allergy. Products used for manicure with gel polish can cause irritation, redness, itching, and pain.
Normally, nails under gel polish should not hurt when applying or removing it. To avoid complications during manicure, you need to carefully choose a specialist, follow safety precautions, and use original products.
Symptoms of onychocryptosis
With onychocryptosis, the lateral part of the nail abuts the periungual fold and continues to grow inside it. At first, the patient feels general discomfort, redness of the skin around the nail is observed. It is also possible to change the shape of the nail. Preferences in shoes are gradually changing, the choice is given to open options, wearing tight, narrow, and over time, any closed shoes becomes difficult. In case of inaction, the symptoms of the disease become more pronounced, complications appear, and over time, surgical intervention becomes inevitable.
The main symptoms of an ingrown toenail include:
Painful sensations in the toe area resulting from injury, after wearing shoes, or for no apparent reason
· swelling and hyperemia (overflow of blood vessels of the circulatory system of any area of the body) of the periungual fold
formation of pus in the area of the nail plate
formation of excess connective tissue protruding from the wound, visually reminiscent of raw meat
In medicine, the development of onychocryptosis is characterized by three main stages - mild, moderate and severe.
Stages of onychocryptosis
First (mild) stage
characterized by redness of the periungual fold and moderate swelling. At this stage, the nail plate has no visual changes, and painful symptoms usually appear while walking in shoes.
Second (moderate) stage
accompanied by signs of inflammatory processes: the periungual fold becomes red, purulent discharge appears, and in some cases painful pulsation is observed. The nail becomes denser and dull.
Third (severe) stage
caused by hyperemia (increased blood supply) of the periungual ridges, the formation of hypergranulation (tissue growth in areas of inflammation), an increase in the volume of the phalanx, and the presence of purulent discharge. The nail becomes brittle and mobile, the skin around it visually resembles raw meat (this symptom is called “wild meat” in medicine).
Complications of onychocryptosis
Prolongation of the disease leads to the development of infections, which certainly aggravates the situation. Wounds that are open for a long time and do not heal are an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. An infected wound heals slowly as the body tries to heal the affected area, resulting in bright red granulation tissue forming at the site of the ingrown nail. If you do not start treatment or start the wrong treatment, the granulation becomes dense, the phalanx changes shape, and it becomes impossible to solve the problem with conservative methods. In addition, inflammation of the soft tissues of not only the fingers, but also the entire foot is likely to develop, which, if left untreated, can spread to the bones and lead to osteomyelitis.
Complications of onychocryptosis are associated mainly with the development of infectious and inflammatory processes and include:
· abscess
(limited inflammatory purulent focus causing intoxication) fingers. It is characterized by the presence of pronounced swelling and redness of the skin. Surgery required.
· lymphangitis
(acute or chronic inflammation of the lymphatic trunks and capillaries, occurring secondarily against the background of purulent-inflammatory processes). It is characterized by the spread of infection throughout the lymphatic system, affecting blood vessels. Complex treatment is required, including anti-inflammatory and antibacterial therapy.
· gangrene
(death of living tissue) of the finger. Characterized by processes leading to irreversible necrosis of soft tissues. Amputation of the affected phalanx or the entire finger is required.
· osteomyelitis
(purulent - inflammatory process that develops in the bones, bone marrow and surrounding soft tissues) of the finger. The infection affects the bones. Drug therapy is required. Amputation of the phalanx of the finger is possible if the patient comes too late.
The risk of complications increases in the presence of concomitant diseases associated with disruption of blood vessels, for example, diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. The risk group also includes people who are overweight and over the age of 60.
Various types of injuries
If discomfort occurs 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 condition of the stratum corneum. If there is even a slight hemorrhage underneath, the cause is definitely trauma. Regarding why there is pain on the hands under the nails in this case. When an injury occurs that is not accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the skin and stratum corneum, the capillaries located directly under the plate or next to it rupture. The natural result is the outpouring of liquid connective tissue.
Most often, you will notice dots, spots or stripes of dark burgundy or black under the nail. As the bruise resolves, it begins to take on a bluish tint.
After suffering a serious injury, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Minor injuries do not require treatment and go away on their own within a few days.
Diagnosis of the disease
First of all, a visual examination and history taking are necessary. It is important to identify the presence of concomitant diseases - to exclude or confirm fungal infections and diseases that are associated with disruption of blood vessels (diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis).
Diagnosis of onychocryptosis includes
:
· collecting anamnesis (full collection of data about the patient and his diseases): identifying the causes of the disease, collecting complaints
· visual examination of the patient (diagnosing the stage of the disease and identifying complications): the condition of the nails, periungual ridges, skin of the fingers and feet; the presence of deformation of the fingers, swelling, purulent inflammation, granulation; comparison of two limbs
· general blood test (if complications are detected): carried out to identify or exclude a general inflammatory process. A blood glucose test is also performed to confirm or rule out diabetes.
· bacteriological examination of discharge from wounds (analysis of purulent discharge): the study is carried out to determine the type of pathogen and the severity of the inflammatory process
· X-ray examination (study of the internal structure of the foot): carried out to study the anatomical changes in the structure of the foot and to identify or exclude the transition of inflammatory processes to the bones
Carpal tunnel syndrome
This disease has 2 more names:
- carpal tunnel syndrome;
- stenosing ligamentitis of the transverse carpal ligament.
This is predominantly a female disease. Moreover, those who are over 40 suffer from it. The main symptom of the disease is the occurrence of a feeling of numbness and burning in all fingers of the hand, except the little finger. These parts of the limb become numb in clusters, and the pads of the fingers hurt. All these sensations stretch to the base of the palm, but pass as if through the joints, without affecting them with pain and numbness.
Pain occurs mainly at night or in the morning. It gets easier during the day. This can be explained by the fact that during wakefulness, attention is distracted by many other stimuli, and sensations in the fingers fade into the background.
Visually, the shape of the fingers and joints remains the same, that is, healthy. However, skin color changes. A bluish coating or excessive pallor occurs. Often these changes are accompanied by swelling.
This syndrome occurs when there is prolonged compression of the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel. Many experts associate this disease with the professional activity of a person who is forced to constantly perform monotonous flexion-extension movements with his hands. For this reason, carpal tunnel syndrome occurs in those who constantly perform small movements with their fingers. However, experts have not identified an indisputable connection between the profession and the disease.
Treatment of ingrown toenails
The tools for treating onychocryptosis are conservative methods
in the initial stages (load reduction, compression treatment, foot hygiene, etc.) and
surgical methods
in later stages (nail resection, complete removal of the nail plate, laser techniques).
There are also modern non-surgical methods
that involve the use of various plates, staples and springs (orthonyxia methods).
Which doctor should I contact?
A podiatrist is the doctor you should contact when the first signs of an ingrown toenail appear. In certain cases, treatment requires the participation of a surgeon (in late stages, when conservative treatment is ineffective), a dermatologist (in the presence of fungal and other infectious diseases) and a laser therapist (when treating the disease with methods associated with the use of laser therapy).
It is very important to prescribe competent, most effective treatment to restore pain-free mobility to the patient.
Treatment methods for onychocryptosis
This or that method depends on the stage of onychocryptosis, as well as the presence of complications and concomitant diseases. At the initial stage, the problem can be solved using conservative methods. When a patient presents at a late stage of the disease, there is a high probability of surgery.
Non-surgical methods:
· medical hardware pedicure (a treatment procedure that is performed by a pedicurist with a higher medical education and is aimed not only at the aesthetic beauty of the feet and toes, but also at their health)
· tamponing (installation of a special thin gasket between the nail and the periungual ridge, which prevents contact of the nail with the ridge; therefore, the process of ingrowth is impossible)
· installation of corrective systems: staples, plates (the device is placed on the nail plate in various ways depending on the type of problem and helps to lift the nail, thereby reducing pressure on the roller and preventing ingrowth)
A positive effect can only be achieved if the treatment is prescribed by an experienced doctor - a podologist with higher education. Contact only professional specialists in trusted clinics with extensive experience and a good reputation.
Surgical methods for treating onychocryptosis:
· resection of the nail plate. Resection is a surgical operation aimed at removing part of an organ.
· complete nail removal
Today, classical surgical methods of nail removal are inferior to modern methods that involve the use of laser.
Laser therapy has a number of advantages - it is low in trauma, short recovery time and reduces the risk of re-ingrowing (relapse) of the nail. Using a laser, it is possible to painlessly remove: the nail fold, nail plate, part of the nail, hypergranulations, inflammatory and purulent formations.
Laser treatment is painless, safe and most effective; the procedure is carried out by experienced specialists using modern high-tech equipment.
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 are affected.
The infection penetrates the stratum corneum, where it begins to form tunnels. As a result, the fingernails hurt when pressed.
Why does the pathological process develop:
- Visiting public places. A striking example are baths, saunas and gyms.
- Using the same household items. Very often, the pathogen is transmitted from one family member to another through towels, gloves, and washcloths.
Not in all cases, a pathological process develops during infection. The provoking factors are the following diseases and conditions:
- Various types of injuries.
- Immunodeficiency.
- Diabetes.
- Ignoring the need to observe hygiene rules.
Clinical manifestations of onychomycosis:
- Painful sensations under or near the nails.
- Change in color of the horny plate.
- Thickening of the nail.
- Plate deformation.
If signs of fungal infection occur, you should consult a dermatologist. The specialist will conduct diagnostic measures, tell you why your fingernails hurt and how to treat the disease.
Base coat and drying
Another reason why nails hurt while applying gel polish is drying the base layer using a lamp with ultraviolet rays. The duration of drying of the next applied layer depends on the power of the device. If drying is designed for 30 seconds or less, then the fingers hurt from the heat generated at the moment the base hardens, especially for girls with a thin layer of their native nail.
According to the reviews of the masters, the fingers hurt not from the gel polish, but from the applied base layer, and the pain goes away as soon as it dries.
If your fingers continue to hurt, this may indicate thinning of the nail when removing the old layer of gel polish with a spatula or excessive filing with a cutter.
Doctors' recommendations
To prevent painful sensations under or near your nails, you must follow these rules:
- Treat all identified diseases, including those of a chronic nature, in a timely manner.
- Use protective gloves when handling household chemicals.
- Carry out cosmetic procedures in strict accordance with standards. Don't abuse them.
- Even with a slight violation of the integrity of the skin, treat the lesions with antiseptics.
- Strengthen the body's defenses.
- Take vitamin complexes.
- Follow the principles of proper nutrition.
In addition, doctors advise getting rid of bad habits.
Cosmetics and procedures
Some women experience discomfort after removing nail polish. In this case, the tips of the fingernails most often hurt. Why is this happening? It is important to know that any varnish and its remover penetrate the stratum corneum and contribute to changes in its structure. Most often, painful sensations occur at the tips of the nails immediately after pigment removal.
Discomfort may also occur after removing the materials intended for plate extension. Its appearance is due to a long period of lack of access to light and air to the nails.
Unbalanced diet
Many people do not adhere to the principles of a healthy lifestyle. Meanwhile, its basis is proper nutrition. Regular consumption 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’s worth figuring out why your hand hurts near or under the nail. Due to the deficiency of vital components, the plate becomes thinner and breaks easily. This in all cases leads to painful sensations. Sometimes they only appear when you press on the nail.
In order to get rid of discomfort, it is necessary to make adjustments to the diet. Additionally, it is recommended to make hand baths with sea salt.