Published on: 4/7/2025
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.
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)
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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.
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