Pain in the nail

Pain in the nail can bring a lot of problems and turn into unpleasant consequences for those who ignore it. But a certain percentage of patients do so, believing that the pain will pass by itself, or engaged in self-medication, using "grandmother" methods. Many people generally ask why we need these horny plates at the ends of the fingers?

But nails perform an important function. They protect the phalanx of the fingers from damage, while taking often a blow to themselves. Also, by changing the color of the nail, one can judge about the appearance of diseases that do not directly concern them: problems with the liver, gall bladder, infections, fungal diseases. Yellow nails and heavy smokers, due to the effects of nicotine. Thus, these subtle formations are not so powerful. Not surprisingly, complaints of pain in the nail - a frequent phenomenon. What are the causes of pain in the nail?

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What causes pain in the nail?

Injuries

As already mentioned, the nail in our body is a kind of protector, avant-garde, therefore the probability of tearing, pinching here is quite large. There are many reasons for this: the fall of the load on the leg or arm, a strong blow against the hard surface. Pain in the nail in such situations can be quite intrusive and prolonged, if not take the necessary measures. In some cases, a kind of bruise appears on the plate - it darkens. The spectacle is not pleasant, and it will take a long time to wait for its disappearance - until the nail is refreshed (and this may take several months). In some situations, nail dying may occur.

If after a trauma there is a small hematoma, the tissues of the finger are not damaged, it has not changed the shape, you can try to cure the resulting bruise at home. Raise the damaged arm / leg - let the blood flow into the nails. Be sure to rinse the wounds to avoid getting an infection, preferably with soap. Damaged area is smeared with antibiotic ointment, and then covered with a bandage. Also, take an anti-inflammatory drug.

If there are damages on a significant part of the nail, perhaps some areas are missing, or if the finger itself is affected, medical attention should be immediately resorted to. Do not try to tear off the nail until the end!

Ingrown nail

Another name for this disease is onychrictosis. Various factors can lead to it: 

• Presence of flat feet; 
• Fungal infections; 
• Bad pedicure - cutting the nails deeper than the end of the finger; 
• Congenital preconditions; 
• Uncomfortable shoes, etc.

As the nail grows, the pain will be almost intolerable, somewhat subsiding in a state of rest, intensifying with walking and training. It is also possible to separate blood and pus, puffiness of the damaged finger.

Since doctors face this problem quite often, new ways of treating ingrown nails appear every year. So, now it is applied: 

• Laser correction. 
• Coating angles with acrylic. 
• Use of special brackets.

There are also many alternative ways to get rid of the problem. So, the common advice is the use of warm baths with potassium permanganate and soda, after which the ingrown edge of the nail should be cut. However, it is better to make an appointment with a doctor if this common disease occurs, so that the pain in the nail does not become a nightmare for you.

In order to avoid ingrown nails, you should choose comfortable and soft shoes, do the pedicure correctly (do not make round edges), contact the proven specialists.

Fungal infections

Quite often they provoke pain in the nail. Nail fungus is scientifically called onychomycosis. This disease affects almost every fifth person in the world. The disease is caused by a variety of infections that can be transmitted to you when you visit the pool or sauna. And the dermatophytes that cause it are distinguished by their exceptional vitality and reproductive capacity.

Determine the disease can be on the following symptoms: 

• Yellowness and whiteness of the nail; 
• The appearance of inflammation; 
• Separation from the nail bed.

If you are concerned about having infections, you should immediately call your doctor and start treatment.

Often, doctors use drugs such as irtaconazole, griseofulvin, terbafliobin. However, it should be noted that the course often lasts more than one week, the effect of treatment may not appear immediately. Also, these drugs have side-effects, so they must be dosed and only with a medical prescription. There are also alternative methods of treatment of fungus, however, they often prove to be ineffective. So, often alternative healers use propolis and a tea mushroom.

For the prevention of fungal infections observe all the rules of personal hygiene, avoid excessive sweating feet, in swimming pools and saunas use slippers, try not to wear someone else's shoes.

Pain in the nail is sometimes difficult to prevent, but soon her treatment is entirely in your hands!