What should you know about pain around thumb nail?

Pain beside or under the nail can follow a knock, pressure, a torn cuticle, or irritation around the nail fold. Tenderness at the thumb base or along the wrist is less likely to be from the nail itself and may involve a tendon. De Quervain's Tenosynovitis affects tendons on the thumb side of the wrist and can hurt when gripping, lifting, or moving the thumb. Notice whether the nail changes colour, the skin becomes red, or pain follows hand use.

Protect the thumb from pressure and repeated gripping, keep the area clean and dry, and avoid cutting or digging into the cuticle. A cool wrapped pack may ease soreness after a minor knock. Do not drain a collection of fluid yourself. If pain is at the thumb-side wrist rather than the nail, reduce lifting and repetitive thumb motions and arrange an assessment.

Seek prompt medical care for spreading redness, warmth, pus, fever, increasing swelling, severe throbbing under the nail, or a nail that is lifting after injury. Urgent assessment is appropriate if the thumb is crooked, numb, blue, or difficult to move. Diabetes, poor circulation, or reduced immunity lowers the threshold for getting a painful nail or skin problem checked.

Ask whether the pain is from the nail fold, the thumb joint, or a tendon; whether the nail needs treatment after an injury; and how to protect the thumb while it heals.