Causes and cures for painful nail bed problem


There are several nail diseases and disorders that have become very common in recent times. A raised nail bed is one of the most common nail bed problems that can affect just about anybody. There could be several different factors that cause the nails to get raised and then separated from nail bed. The most common cause of this nail bed discomfort and pain is a fungal or yeast infection that grows between the nail and the nail bed. It is the presence of the fungus between the two that causes the nail to separate. Debris is also usually seen in the nail plate in case of an infection. At times the color, shape and texture of the nail may change too. If left untreated, this condition could worsen and the nail plate could also get separated completely from the nail bed, after which it crumbles off.

Other nail bed problems

People can get affected by several other common nail bed problems and diseases too, which mainly include:

  • Beau's lines cause horizontal lines and linear depressions to appear in the nail beds. The most common causes of this condition are malnutrition, trauma, illness, metabolic disorders and chemotherapy, to name a few.
  • Onychaixis is very common in people and it is characterized by the over-thickening of the nail plate, as a result of internal disorders and underlying conditions.
  • Onychatrophia can be described as a claw-type nail, which is marked by a thick nail plate. This condition is usually caused by trauma and is very painful. In most cases people need to get this condition treated surgically.
  • Paronychia can be described as a nail bed infection that is caused by virus, bacteria or fungi. This condition is very painful and is usually accompanied by swelling and redness in the nail fold. This infection is more common in people who have their hands in water for a long period of time and is highly contagious.
  • Pseudomonas is a bacterial infection, which occurs between the nail bed and the nail plate. This infection can also affect those people who have artificial nails. Pseudomonas usually turns the nails green in color, causing people to believe that they are suffering by some sort of mould. However, the discoloration is actually caused by the bacterial infection. At times, this condition could also be accompanied by fingernail bed pain and separation.
  • Tinea unguis, or ringworm in the nail is usually marked by deformity and thickening of the nail. Eventually, if left unchecked, this condition could result in the loss of the nail plate.
Some of the other common nail bed problems are brittle nails, hematoma, koilonychias, melanonychia, nail patella syndrome, nail psoriasis and pterygium, to name a few.

Nail bed injuries

It is very common to see nail bed injuries in many people too, since the fingertip is one of the most frequently injured parts. Like other injuries, a nail bed injury, redness and swelling and be very painful and could lead to a lot of discomfort, if it is not treated at the earliest. The type of nail bed injury treatment used will depend entirely on the severity of the injury. Doctors may prescribe certain medication to reduce the pain and expedite the healing process. However, if the injury is severe then the most appropriate course of action could be surgery. Nail bed problems should never be left unchecked nor should they be treated at home, without a doctor's guidance. It is important to consult a doctor at the earliest, to get them treated as soon as possible, or else they could worsen.

answered by G M


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