You’ve applied your press-on nails, but the nail bed below hurt. What’s going on? What could be causing the pain? Understanding the root cause of pain from press-on nails is key for saving your natural nails and fingers from real damage and preventing future discomfort. In this guide, we’ll explain why your press-on nails hurt. We’ll explain what to do when it happens and how to prevent pain from press-on nails in the future.
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Understanding Press-On Nail Discomfort
In most cases, press-on nails hurt because they fit too tightly, so they end up squeezing your nail bed. If you feel pain soon after you’ve applied your press-ons, this is likely what happened. There are no documented cases of long-term complications as a result of poorly fitting press-on nails, but the only way to eliminate this kind of pain is to remove the press-on.
In other cases, pain from press-on nails can be a sign of infection or dermatitis. To figure out which it is that you’re dealing with, here are the questions to ask yourself:
- What kind of pain is it?
- Do you feel pain directly below the nail or in the cuticles or surrounding skin?
- Did the pain start immediately or a few hours or days after application?
- Is it constant, or is it only when you touch your nails?
- Are there other symptoms, like redness around the skin or green nail discoloration?
Possible Causes of Pain from Press-On Nails
There are a few reasons why your press-on nails might be hurting. Read through these, and the underlying cause of your pain should stand out readily.
Wrong Fit
If your press-on nails don’t fit correctly, that can lead to pain. Overly small nails can fit too tightly, and because of their curved shape, they press down on the flatter natural nails. If they’re too large, they can push into the skin or cuticles, also leading to pain.
This type of pain can usually be felt soon after you’ve applied your nails. The constant pressure on the nail bed can feel like tightness or a dull pain. You may feel it at all times or only when pressing down on your nail.
Over-Buffing
Buffing your nails before applying press-ons goes a long way towards improving adhesion. However, if you overdo it, you can end up thinning out your natural nails which can lead to pain. Your nails will likely feel oversensitive, and the pain will usually be most noticeable when you bump your fingers against objects.
Infection
If there are any gaps between the press-on and your natural nail, moisture can get trapped and lead to bacteria or fungal growth and nail infections like green nail syndrome. You may notice redness in the skin around the nails, and the skin can feel tender, although pain tends to be minimal. If the press-on nails are left for too long, infections can become more severe and lead to nail separation.
Reaction to Glue
If you feel pain from press-on nails in the cuticle or the skin surrounding your nails, you might be reacting to the adhesive. Nail glues can lead to allergic contact dermatitis, which can cause stinging or tenderness as well as redness, swelling, itchiness, and hives. The reaction may occur immediately, or it can happen a day or two after you’ve applied your press-on nails.
What Should I Do About Press-on Nail Pain?
How you deal with pain from press-on nails depends on the type of pain and the severity, but chances are you’ll need to start by taking off your press-on.
If the discomfort only occurs when you bump your nails, you may decide it’s minor and tolerable for a few days. However, if the pain and discomfort are consistent, the best way to deal with the pain is to remove your press-on nails.
Once they’re off, examine your fingernails for signs of over-buffing or brittleness. If your nails are in good shape and the pain is no longer an issue, you can wait a day or two before reapplying your press-on nails.
If the pain is more widespread and there are signs of infection or allergic reaction, such as redness and tenderness in the surrounding skin, take off your press-on nails immediately. You can use a cotton pad or swab dipped in acetone to remove any excess glue from your skin.
Once the remnants of adhesive are gone, symptoms usually subside within a few days, especially with the help of over-the-counter corticosteroids. However, if symptoms persist, speak to a doctor. If you suspect you’re dealing with an infection, it’s best to seek professional help.
Preventing Pain When Using Press-On Nails
It’s much easier to prevent your press-on nails from hurting when you apply them than it is to remove them once you notice the pain. Here are some tips that’ll help:
Gentle Buffing
Buffing your nails should only take a few seconds. Buff your nails only until they’re matte, and stop soon after. Avoid using electric nail files or overly abrasive files.
Measure Carefully
Before applying your press-ons, take your time to measure them carefully. Make sure the fit is comfortable even when without a lot of pressing and that the nails don’t extend past your skin or cuticles.
File and Adjust If Needed
It’s better to choose a slightly larger nail and file it down than rather than trying to force too tight of a fit. File the sides and bottom of the press-on nail so it doesn’t extend over your skin.
If the press-on nails still have too much of a curve, you can warm them up with a blow-dryer and then press them down against a table or board to flatten a little.
Don’t Use Too Much Glue
To avoid having the glue come in contact with your skin, use a small amount. Too much glue can seep out the sides when you press down your nails. A smaller amount of glue will also make it easier to remove your nails once you’re ready, so choose the right amount depending on how long you’d like to maintain your press-on nails.
Press Gently But Avoid Gaps
When applying your press-ons, press them down against your nails gently to make sure that there are no gaps where moisture could get. However, if you press them down with too much pressure, that can lead to an overly tight fit, so try and find a sweet spot.
Try Sticky Tabs
If you have reactions to stronger nail adhesives, try using sticky tabs instead. They don’t last as long, but they’re less likely to cause a negative reaction.
Stay Away From Water
Once wearing your press-on nails, avoid submerging your hands in water for long periods. Dry your nails thoroughly after washing your hands, bathing, or washing dishes.
When to Seek Professional Help
In most cases, pain from press-on nails doesn’t require professional help. Once you take off your press-ons, any pain should subside within a few days, if not sooner. If you still experience pain after removing your press-on nails, or you notice prolonged symptoms of infection or allergic reaction, seek medical help.
Bottom Line
More often than not, press-on nails hurting is a sign that the fit you chose was too tight, and the curve of the press-on nails is putting pressure on your natural. Your best bet is to take off your press-on nails, especially if you think there’s a risk of allergic reaction or infection. Once you’re ready to reapply your press-ons, choose the right fit to avoid any future discomfort!