What causes pain under the fingernails?
Disease description:
I’ve recently been experiencing significant pain in the spaces between my fingernails, causing considerable discomfort. I’d like to understand: What causes pain in the nail folds?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
Pain in the nail folds may result from nails being cut too short or from a fungal infection. If nails are trimmed excessively short, the nail folds lose protective coverage and become painful; this typically requires no treatment, and the pain usually resolves as the nails grow out. When the skin surrounding the nails is broken, bacterial infection can easily lead to paronychia—causing pain and fragility of the nail folds. In cases of paronychia, topical medications such as ichthammol ointment, fusidic acid cream, or erythromycin ointment may be used under a physician’s guidance.
