Have you ever noticed a little nail growing under one of your regular fingernails or toenails? This condition, known medically as an onychauxis or accessory nail, can seem strange but is usually harmless.<\/p>\n
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what causes these extra nails to form, when you should see a doctor, and how to remove an accessory nail safely at home.<\/p>\n
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Accessory nails under the normal nails are typically caused by trauma, injury, or infection<\/b>. They are generally harmless, but should be removed to prevent ingrown nails or infection.<\/p>\nWhat Causes an Accessory Nail Under the Nail?<\/h2>\n
Minor trauma or injury<\/h3>\n
One of the most common causes of an accessory nail under the natural nail is minor trauma or injury to the nail bed. This can happen from acute injuries like jamming or hitting the fingertip, or chronic minor insults like manicures, biting nails, picking at cuticles, or friction from shoes or gloves.<\/p>\n
When the nail bed gets damaged, it disrupts the normal growth pattern and causes a new nail structure to start forming. As the original nail continues growing out, the accessory nail may remain trapped underneath it.<\/p>\n
This is essentially a benign condition, though it can cause pain if pressure builds up underneath the nail.<\/p>\n
In some cases, an infection around or under the nail can also trigger an accessory nail to form. Infections happen when bacteria or fungi enter the skin around the nail. Common causes include hangnails, cutting cuticles too short, artificial nails, or spread from athlete’s foot.<\/p>\n
As the body fights the infection, inflammation and swelling put pressure on the nail bed. This can shift nail cells out of place, starting growth of an extra nail structure alongside or underneath the original one. Treating the infection is key to stopping this abnormal growth.<\/p>\n
Research suggests that some people may be genetically predisposed to developing accessory nails. This seems to run in families, often appearing in multiple members across generations. Scientists think certain inherited differences in nail bed cells and their growth patterns may increase susceptibility.<\/p>\n
However, genetics alone don’t directly cause extra nails. There needs to be some kind of trigger event like trauma or infection to knock nail growth off course. So while family history plays a role, it’s not necessarily definitive in predicting or preventing the condition.<\/p>\n