Pain, Infections, Overgrowth of Painful Tissue at Nail Fold of Fingernails

For years I have experienced pain, overgrowth of very hard painful skin-like tissue a long the Nail Fold where it attaches to the sides of my fingernails and going slightly under the nail, and sometimes infection in the area. The best way I can define it is that it is like having an ingrown nail without the overgrowth of the nail.

Sometimes the overgrowth of tissue goes so far under the nail that the nail looks like the Free Edge (the part of the nail that extends past the finger beyond the nail plate) but with that overgrowth of hard tissue attached to the nail as well.

This happens mostly in my thumbs and index fingers, but can happen on any finger.

If the overgrowth of tissue is not there the problem resolves in a few days if I wear a tight band aide that forces the nail fold down and away from my finger nail, and adding neosporin along the painful area. When the overgrowth of painful hard tissue is easy to get to I cut it away with a cuticle nipper and the pain usually goes away instantly. I do the same with the hard tissue is attached under the Free Edge. Then the process starts all over again, although I can be free of the problem for weeks.

My nails are thin and the tips split in layers, if that makes sense. My right thumb nail has been a bit concave with vertical ridges for about 5 years, but do not look like any pictures I a have seen. It barely grows to where any Free Edge shows, and when it does there is always a sharp triangular cut in the very center that points towards the back of my finger.

Doctors do not think this is note worthy, but it sure bothers me and is painful.

Not sure if this is in the right section to put this in, but does anyone here have these same problems?

I am a big meat eater and love veggies. I pretty much make sure I eat a balanced diet to counter act the junk food and coca colas I consume. My current snack is cheese and pickle on Ritz Crackers . . . with a Coke!

Over the last 6 1/2 years I have been diagnosed with undifferentiated and mixed connective tissue disease and fibromyalgia, but in the last couple weeks I have come up with one rheumatoid nodule and peripheral neuropathy, according to the internist I saw last week.

I woke up feeling terrible this morning, in addition have painful, burning hands and feet and some sort of weird bump at the base of my nose. I feel so bad that I am not noticing the finger pain.

Do you think diet has something to do with my fingers?

Thanks.

This is not good. I am getting confused as to where I am posting. I thought I have responded to you here Couch, but apparently not.

I looked up Raynauds. I am thinking that is not the problem but I will ask when I see the new rheumatologist next month. One of my problems is that I have so many things wrong it is hard to get out in everything I want to talk about at doctor appointments.

I have asked numerous specialists about my fingers and nails, and none are impressed. One told me to try some sort of protective fingernail polish. Say what?

Another told me I pick on my fingers. I told him I was touching my fingers to demonstrate where the problems were.

One told me to use more hand lotion and to use it more often.

Other doctors tell me I have too many problems and we should only focus on a few.

I found a fairly comprehensive site with pictures on Mayo but nothing looks like my problem.

Thanks for the posting.

I have the EXACT same problem. I have been experiencing it for about the last 4 months or so....My hands also just started peeling in small red patches on my fingers....don't know if it's related but I will probably go see a dermatologist soon....If I find anything out I'll let you know.

I wonder if it's psoriasis?