Nail Problems

Good. Your painful fingernail could be due to an injured cuticle (especially if you bite your nails!), arthritis in the last joint of the finger near the nail, a skin infection, or other minor injury. If there is no sign of inflammation (redness, swelling or drainage), it is unlikely that your nail pain is due to a serious cause such as infection.

Call your doctor if your symptoms persist for more than two weeks or worsen.

Do you have a painful toenail? Yes, I have a painful toenail. No, I don't have a painful toenail.

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Online Medical Reviewer: LeWine, Howard MD Date Last Reviewed: 5/17/2006 Date Last Modified: 5/9/2006 Source: from Harvard Health Decision Guides, Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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