Nail and toenail issues are prevalent. Almost everyone has ripped a nail or smashed a finger in a door, leaving blood under the nail. These injuries are typically not serious but can be highly unpleasant. Often, simple nail issues may be treated at home.
Nails normally grow a tenth of an mm every day. Toenails develop half or a third slower than fingernails. Blood flow issues in the hands and feet might delay nail development.
Causes
Nail bed damage may be caused by several factors, including:
- a traumatic incident
- Injuries to the bones
- Cuts to the fingertip or nailbed
- Surgically removing a fingertip’s tendons
- Damage to the nerves
- Chemotherapy and antimalarial drugs have side effects.
- Skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema.
- Warts, cysts, or moles on the skin.
- Other illnesses such Addison’s, PAD, and HIV.
- Hangnails can cause a mild infection (paronychia) producing swollen and sensitive skin surrounding the nails.
- Nail-biting causes red, painful fingertips and bleedy cuticles. Nail-biting raises the risk of bacterial infections in the mouth and nail beds.
The most common cause of these injuries is a fingertip becoming caught in a door. A nail bed injury can occur if the fingertip is pinched, crushed, or sliced in any way.
Crushes of the fingertip might result in a bloody collection under the nail, which can be quite painful. If the injury is serious enough, the nail or fingertip may be pulled off, or the finger itself may be injured in various ways.
Symptoms
The following are some signs and symptoms of a Fingertip and Nail Bed Injury:
- Temperature sensitivity of the fingertip to cold temperatures
- Fingertips that are extremely sensitive to touch
- It is possible that the feeling in the fingertip is dull or numb.
- Deformity of a nail or the tip of a finger
Diagnosis
Your doctor will be able to assess any nail injuries and determine the best course of action to take. Depending on the severity of the injuries, your doctor may recommend that you have X-rays done.
How to prevent split nails
While there isn’t much you can do to repair a split nail, there are some things you can do to keep your nails from breaking in the first place.
Here are some pointers on how to avoid splitting nails:
- Maintain the cleanliness and health of your nails.
- Stay away from submerging your hands or feet in water for extended periods of time.
- Moisturize your nails and cuticles to keep them looking healthy.
- If required, use nail hardening treatments to strengthen your nails.
- Avoid biting or picking at the corners of your nails.
- Avoid putting nail polish remover on your nails.
- Keep your hangnails from ripping or pulling.
- Supplements such as biotin should only be taken with the consent of a doctor.
Diseases
There are a number of disorders that can affect the health of the nails, which can lead to split nails.
Some of the conditions that might result in split nails are:
- a disorder of the thyroid
- Hepatitis B and C
- illness of the kidneys
- skin cancer
Fungal infection
Tinea, a fungal illness that affects the fingernails and toenails, is spread via contact. NAIL BED CAN BE INFECTIVE WITHOUT TREATMENT Fungal infections are more common in those with diabetes or immune system issues.
Fungal nail infections have different features depending on the source:
- lifting of the nail plate
- nail plate thickening
- Nail plate deterioration
- Bleeding, generally in striations
- odorous discharge
- Nail plate flaking and pitting.
Outlook
The majority of split nails will mend on their own over time as your nails grow out. If your nails are often splitting, avoid putting moisture on them and try using a nail hardening treatment to help prevent further splitting.
If you are experiencing regular discomfort as a result of your broken nails, speak with your doctor about treatment options.