Can You Get a Wart Under Your Fingernail?
Yes, warts can develop under or around your fingernails and toenails. This article explores the types of warts found in these locations, how to identify them, available treatments, and prevention strategies.
Understanding Warts Under the Nail
Warts are skin growths resulting from an infection with certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The virus enters the skin through small cuts, scrapes, or habits like nail-biting. Once inside, HPV causes skin cells to grow rapidly, forming a wart.
Two primary types of warts can affect the nail area. Periungual warts appear around the nail plate, often as rough, cauliflower-like growths near the cuticle or nail folds. Subungual warts grow directly underneath the nail plate, making them more challenging to identify and treat. They can also cause the nail to lift or become deformed.
Recognizing and Confirming Warts
Periungual warts appear as dry, rough bumps around the nail and cuticles, sometimes with small black dots (clotted blood vessels). Subungual warts can cause the nail to thicken, discolor (yellow or brown), distort, or lift from the nail bed.
While small warts may be painless, larger or subungual warts can cause discomfort, tenderness, or pain, particularly with pressure or during daily activities. It is possible to mistake these warts for other conditions like fungal infections or cysts. A medical professional, such as a dermatologist or podiatrist, can confirm a diagnosis through a visual examination or, in some cases, a biopsy.
Treatment Approaches
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments include salicylic acid (patches, gels, or liquids) which break down wart tissue. OTC cryotherapy kits freeze the wart, though their effectiveness can be limited for stubborn warts.
Professional treatments include cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen), cantharidin (a blistering agent), and immunotherapy (e.g., Candida antigen injections) to stimulate the immune system. Laser therapy heats and destroys wart cells. Surgical excision may be considered for large or persistent subungual warts, but carries a potential for nail damage or recurrence.
Preventing Recurrence and Seeking Professional Help
Preventing warts involves avoiding nail-biting or picking at cuticles, which reduces HPV entry. Maintaining clean, dry hands and feet is beneficial, as the virus thrives in warm, moist environments. Avoid sharing nail clippers or files, and wear flip-flops in public showers or pools to prevent transmission. A strong immune system helps the body fight the virus; a compromised immune system may increase susceptibility.
Seek professional medical attention if a wart is painful or interferes with daily activities. Other reasons to consult a doctor include signs of infection such as redness, pus, or increased pain. If over-the-counter treatments are ineffective after several weeks, or if the wart is growing rapidly or changing in appearance, a medical evaluation is recommended. Individuals with a compromised immune system should also consult a healthcare provider for wart concerns.