Why Do My Nails Hurt? Causes, Symptoms, Treatments - Healthline

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Skin Care

Causes of Fingernail and Toenail Pain, and How to Treat It

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Erica Cirino — Updated on January 20, 2025

Causes of nail pain
By location
After salon treatment
After nail polish
Acrylic nails
Treatments
Takeaway

Nails may hurt due to an infection, nail biting, injury, or other causes. Treatment depends on the cause and may involve home remedies and medical treatments.

Nail pain may be due to temporary issues like injuries and irritation. It may resolve without medical treatment.

However, it’s important to contact a doctor for advice if pain is severe or if it keeps returning. Your doctor can determine the underlying cause and advise on suitable treatments.

Read on to learn more about what can cause sore fingernails or toenails, including possible causes of pain by location, and how to treat nail pain.

Why do my fingernails or toenails hurt?

There are numerous possible causes of fingernail or toenail pain,

Nail infection (paronychia)

One common cause of nail pain is a paronychia, or a nail infection. In addition to pain, nail infections tend to cause swelling and redness or discoloration of the finger, especially around the cuticle.

Nail infections may also cause the nail to thicken, and pus to drain from around the nail.

Fingernails and toenails are most often infected when bacteria enters an injury on the cuticle, nail bed, or finger. Nail infections can be serious, and in some cases require medical attention.

Fungal nail infection

When a fungus enters an injury on, under, or around the nail, a fungal nail infection can arise. In most cases, fungal nail infections are caused by the same fungus that causes athlete’s foot.

Other fungi, including yeasts and molds, can also affect the nails.

In addition to causing pain, fungus can make nails turn yellow or white. Other symptoms of a fungal nail infection include:

nail thickening
crumbling
splitting
separation from the skin

Without treatment, a fungal nail infection can spread to other nails and to the skin, in rare cases causing permanent damage to the nail bed.

Ingrown nail

Ingrown nails cause the sides of the nail to curve into the skin. This painful condition can develop when nails are trimmed improperly, after an injury to the nail, or when a person wears shoes that are too short or tight.

Ingrown nails most commonly affect the big toe. However, it can affect any toenail.

Signs of ingrown nails include:

swelling
tenderness
pain
redness or discoloration
soreness
infection

Hangnail

Hangnails are not actually nails, but pieces of skin that tear off the edge of your nail.

Hangnails are a type of painful nail condition with a variety of possible causes, including:

nail biting
dry skin
irritating soaps
cold temperatures

Hangnails might bleed. It’s important not to rip off hangnails, as doing so puts you at risk of an infection.

Physical injury

While nails are strong, it’s possible to injure them when something heavy falls on them or when they get caught in a door.

These injuries are usually painful, because there are many nerves under and around the nails.

Sometimes, a physical injury to the nail causes bruising or bleeding under the nail, known as a subungual hematoma. The nail may also fall off before it regrows. A bruised nail may feel tender as it heals.

Nail biting

Nail biting can cause pain, and it may damage tissue that helps nails to grow.

Nail biting, which includes biting the skin around the nail, and the cuticle, also increases the risk of nail infections.

Usually, stopping biting nails is enough to stop the painful symptoms it causes. You may require medical treatment if an infection develops.

Learn about what can cause pain under the nail when pressing it.

Pain by location

The location of your nail pain can sometimes offer insight into its cause.

Why does the side or corner of my nail hurt?

Pain on the side or corner of a nail may be caused by:

hangnail
nail biting
ingrown nails
nail injuries
infection

Why do my nail beds hurt?

When your pain affects your nail bed, beneath your nail, most often it’s caused by:

infection
fungal nail infection
nail abnormality
physical injury

Learn more about fingernail bed injuries.

Why do my cuticles hurt?

Cuticle pain can be caused by:

nail biting
hangnail
physical injury
infection
fungal nail infection

Learn about dry cuticles.

Why do my nails hurt after getting them done?

It’s possible to receive an injury to the nail during a manicure or pedicure. An infection, or paronychia, may also develop.

It can be helpful to take your own clippers and other nail tools to the salon to avoid exposure to bacteria or fungus carried on others’ nails.

Why do my nails hurt when I put on or take off nail polish?

Nail polish and nail polish remover contain chemicals that may damage the skin around the nails.

When painting your nails or removing polish, try to only work on your nails. Avoid getting polish and remover under your nails, on your cuticles, and on your fingers.

Using natural nail polishes and removers, and regularly moisturizing your hands, may help reduce discomfort.

Why do my acrylic nails hurt?

The process of applying acrylic nails can cause damage to the nail, leading to pain.

In most cases, those who prepare to apply acrylic nails begin by cutting down the cuticle of the nail, and filing down the nail. This leaves the nail prone to infections.

Additionally, gluing on nail extensions and adding acrylic can cause irritation and dryness, leading to hangnails, ingrown nails, and nail deformities.

Less damaging alternatives to acrylic nails include gel nail extensions and dip powder.

Treating the cause of nail pain

Ways to manage or treat nail pain can depend on the underlying cause.

Hangnails, physical injuries, and nail biting

For nail pain caused by most hangnails, physical injuries, and nail biting, the best treatment is to leave your nails alone.

Avoid ripping off hangnails and allow them to grow out. Maintaining good nail hygiene by cleaning and trimming nails regularly is important.

If you have a severe injury to the nail, or if there is a lot of bleeding, it’s best to seek medical advice. It’s possible that the finger or toe may be broken.

Ingrown nails

You can treat ingrown nails and related pain by:

soaking your hands or feet in warm water 3 to 4 times per day
wearing footwear that does not pinch your toes if the toenail is ingrown
taking pain relief medication

You may require medical treatments, such as antibiotics, if the nail becomes infected. Surgery may be necessary to remove part or all of the nail.

Nail infections

For bacterial infections, you may require topical antibiotics that you can rub on the affected nail.

Fungal nail infections will usually clear by applying antifungal cream.

For more serious infections, a doctor may prescribe an oral medication.

Learn about home remedies for toenail fungus.

The bottom line

Nail pain may develop due to a nail infection, ingrown nails, or injury to the nail. Nail biting and hangnails can also cause sore fingernails or toenails.

Treatment can depend on the underlying cause, but can include a combination of home remedies and medical treatments. Soaking the nail in water, wearing footwear that does not pinch, and applying topical products may all help.

Contact your doctor if you have concerns about nails that hurt. You may require prescription-strength medication or surgery to directly treat the underlying cause. You should also seek medical advice if you experience a serious injury to your nail, as the bone in the finger or toe could be broken.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Artificial nails: Dermatologists' tips for reducing nail damage. (n.d.).https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/pedicures/reduce-artificial-nail-damage
Bullock L. (2024). How to stop biting your nails.https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/stop-biting-nails
Desai K. (2021). How to get rid of a hangnail.https://www.assh.org/handcare/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-a-hangnail
Dulski A, et al. (2023). Paronychia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544307/
Fungal nail infections. (2023).https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/fungal-nail-infections/
Nassim J, et al. (2019). A look at the effects of nail polish on nail health and safety.https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/a-look-at-the-effects-of-nail-polish-on-nail-health-and-safety-2019112118231
Subungual hematoma. (n.d.).https://www.aocd.org/page/SubungualHematoma
Walton D. (2024). Ingrown toenail.https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/ingrown-toenail

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Erica Cirino — Updated on January 20, 2025

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