Nail Pain
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Nail pain
Ingrown nail
Toe nail pain
Infected toenail
Pain under thumb nail without injury
Nail discoloration
Black nails
Random pain under fingernail
Infected fingernail
Fungal nail infection
Fingernail hurts when I press on it
Sore fingernails
About the Symptom
It describes any painful sensation over the nail, which may be pressing,sharp, burning or dull. Nail pain (i.e., onychalgia) can be acute or chronic; it can be intermittent or constant, and can have many causes, including nail growths, nail deformities, inflammatory or infectious diseases, and external or traumatic factors.
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Fever
- Repeated fever above 38 ℃
- Swelling of the affected area
Possible Causes
Generally, Nail pain can be related to:
- Paronychia
Inflammation of the skin around the nails, commonly caused by bacterial or fungal infections that enter through broken skin (e.g., from hangnails or nail-biting).
- Subungual Exostosis
Subungual exostosis is a benign bony outgrowth that occurs under the nail of a toe or finger tip. It often happens after trauma or infection in the area and is most common in children and adolescents.
- Ingrown Toenail
A condition where the corner of a toenail curves and grows into the skin, causing pain and swelling. Risk factors include obesity, small-sized shoes, and cutting the nails incorrectly.
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Mycosis Fungoides / Sézary Syndrome
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFM)
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Scleroderma
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)
- Tuberous Sclerosis
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Are you experiencing pain in your nails?
- When did you first notice the pain in your nails?
- Have you had a painful nail before?
- How has the pain in your nail changed since it started?
Reviewed By:
Sarita Nori, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Sarita Nori was drawn to dermatology because of the intersection of science and medicine that is at the heart of dermatology. She feels this is what really allows her to help her patients. “There is a lot of problem-solving in dermatology and I like that,” she explains. “It’s also a profession where you can help people quickly and really make a difference in their lives.” | Some of the typical skin problems that Dr. Nori treats include skin cancers, psoriasis, acne, eczema, rashes, and contact dermatitis. Dr Nori believes in using all possible avenues of treatment, such as biologics, especially in patients with chronic diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. “These medications can work superbly, and they are really life-changing for many patients.” | Dr. Nori feels it’s important for patients to have a good understanding of the disease or condition that is affecting them. “I like to educate my patients on their problem and have them really understand it so they can take the best course of action. Patients always do better when they understand their skin condition, and how to treat it.”
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
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.