Doctors Note Logo

Back

Published on: 4/7/2025

What Can Cause Throbbing Pain under My Fingernail If There's No Injury?

One possible cause of throbbing pain under your fingernail without an injury is a glomus tumor, which is a small, benign growth that can cause intense pain.

answer background

Explanation

When you feel throbbing pain under your fingernail without any trauma to it, one reason might be a glomus tumor. This is a very small, noncancerous lump made of special cells that control blood flow. Even though it is tiny, it can cause a lot of pain that feels like it is throbbing, especially when the nail is touched or comes in contact with changes in temperature. The pain from a glomus tumor can be persistent and may not be linked to any recent injury. Sometimes, other conditions can also make your nail bed painful, such as a low-grade infection or underlying nail conditions linked to systemic issues. If you notice that the discomfort lasts a long time, it is a good idea to get checked by a doctor who can examine your finger and decide on the best steps for diagnosis and treatment.

(References)

  • Bordianu A, Zamfirescu D. The hidden cause of chronic finger pain: Glomus Tumor - A Case Report. J Med Life. 2019 Jan-Mar;12(1):30-33. doi: 10.25122/jml-2018-0060. PMID: 31123522; PMCID: PMC6527404.

  • Olvera-Rodríguez V, Gatica-Torres M, Carrillo-Córdova DM, Barrera-Godínez A, Domínguez-Cherit J. Painful nails: A practical approach to the diagnosis and management of painful nail conditions. Int J Dermatol. 2021 Nov;60(11):1318-1333. doi: 10.1111/ijd.15496. Epub 2021 Mar 15. PMID: 33720408.

  • Gollins CE, de Berker D. Nails in systemic disease. Clin Med (Lond). 2021 May;21(3):166-169. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2021-0243. PMID: 34001565; PMCID: PMC8140692.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

smily Shiba-inu looking

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Nail pain

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

AI Symptom Check

Try our AI-based symptom check

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get an free AI-powered report on possible causes


Tips to try:

  • Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
  • Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
  • Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes, and the provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical practice. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.