What is wrong with my nail (horrible photos)?

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

Does anyone know what is going on with this horrible nail? Have I damaged it by pushing back my cuticles? It’s still growing normally but the bumpy bit isn’t coming “up”. (My nails are always painted so no-one is seeing this!)

I think it's a fungal infection

Fungal nail infection- get pharmacy to confirm then you can buy a paint on liquid to get rid of it

Oh NO. My mum had that on a toe and it took years to go. It’s not yellow or thick though? I just took nail polish off which is why my nails are discounted.

Have you tried putting savlon on it? Or I can recommend Lion Ointment for any minor skin infection. You could try that and see if it helps.

Ohhh I see what you mean. Yes you’ve damaged the cuticle - I had this, if you leave it and don’t trim the cuticles for a couple of months it will slowly go back to normal. I think it’s where you bruise the matrix.

I’ve just read about nail fungus and it doesn’t look like that to me - I know my nails all look a funny colour but I just took off really deep red polish. It’s only the bottom that’s impacted, like a dip by the cuticle, the top white bit grows normally.

I don't think it is fungal, and I have one.

Maybe I'm missing something, but they all look similar to me and yellow! I assume thats a stain from the varnish though?

It might be a fungal infection, but when I had one years ago, it was green and FAR more obvious. I'd suggest showing it to a pharmacist who could advise.

Sorry, cross post. Just saw about the deep red colour!

Staining from a dark colour you have used. Dip your nails in a mix of nail varnish remover with
Cornflour and olive oil. Mix into a paste and rub in. (Also removes staining from smoking etc)

Thank you for the replies. I genuinely don’t think it is fungal, and the colour is definitely the polish I just took off. I took the photos on impulse otherwise I would have done a better job! The nail is not thick, or brittle, and they are all usually a healthy pink colour. My gut feeling was something to with the cuticle.

It's the base you're worried about, right? The yellow tinge is just staining from red polish.

I had a toenail that was exactly like this at the base. I assumed it was fungal (so I used Nailner to try to treat it) but it might not have been.
Soon after it looked like that the nail lifted off from the base upwards. It looked really painful but didn't hurt at all. It left a really thin layer of nail behind which I could paint. A normal nail grew back surprisingly quickly. I hate to say it but I think you're about to lose the nail

It looks like it's stained. I wear clear or clear with glitter if my nails get like this.

Just to be clear, I am talking only about the ring finger. The colour is 100% the polish I just took off and I am not concerned about it.

Yes, @MoltonSilver the bit right by the cuticle on the finger next to the little finger. Yikes re losing the nail!

(Colour-wise I just removed a polish called “Rouge Over Noir”, so that’s the staining.)

It's the slightly soggy looking bit at the cuticle, right?

I would be concerned about a potential infection. The GP is likely to prescribe some antibiotics. The problem with finger infections is that the bone is so close to the skin that once the infection is in the bone it's very hard to treat.

Could I have bashed it on something to damage it maybe? So annoying if it falls off!

Oh, bloody hell, I definitely don’t want to bother a GP. It’s hard enough to get an appointment without Covid, and I’ve not been in years because of that.

Yes, @MoltonSilver - I think people are being blind sided by the staining.

Yeah, I'm sorry. I think the nail is going to lift. I freaked out when mine did it but it was much less of an ordeal than I thought it was going to be.

I wish salons were open and I could get a nail tech to look at it!

Don’t ignore a possible nail infection - the longer you leave it the worse it will get and you’ll regret it. Virtual GP appointments are very easy.

I may be over cautious because I see a lot of finger/nail infections at work, sometimes from people having their nails done. If it is swollen, painful, red, has pus coming out of it or you feel feverish at all these would be obvious signs of infection. You could give it a warm salt bath to soothe it as a first line treatment. If you have a minor injuries unit that is easier to access then that may be better for you?

No swelling, redness, pain and definitely no pus! I last had my nails done (Shellac at a Saks salon) about 18 months ago, and even then only ever did it if I was going on holiday or away for the weekend something, maybe twice a year? I paint my own nails a few times a week

The only thing I can think of is I have been too aggressive with my orange stick? It’s been like this for a few weeks.

I’m really loathed to bother a doctor, but I do have to go to Boots tomorrow so could ask to see the pharmacist and show them the photos. I’ve redone my nail polish now.

Oh gosh, it makes me feel a bit funny looking at that picture. I expect it's been damaged somehow and you'll probably lose the nail, with a new nail growing through. I have something similar going on with my big toe nail at the moment.

Definitely leave your poor cuticles alone though!