[Stop the Pain] 2023 Guide to Preventing Acrylic Nails from Hurting
6 min read
Did you get acrylic nails but find they are hurting your hand? You are not alone! We talked to numerous nail experts to discover what causes acrylic nail pain and how you can prevent it.
Acrylic nails are a popular choice for many people, but they can cause pain and discomfort if not applied or maintained correctly. In this article, we’ll explore the common causes of acrylic nail pain, including nail infections, fungal nail infections, ingrown nails, hangnails, and physical injuries.
We’ll also provide tips on how to treat and prevent acrylic nail pain, including using natural polishes, moisturizers, and alternatives like gel nail extensions or dip powders. Don’t let acrylic nail pain ruin your nail journey – read on to learn more!
Medical Review
To guarantee the accuracy of all factual statements related to medical conditions, symptoms, treatments, procedures, and tests, as well as standards of care and typical protocols, our stories undergo a thorough medical review and fact-checking process by medical specialists.
This ensures that our content reflects the latest research and adheres to current guidelines.
TikTok is undeniably such a wonderland platform filled with countless videos of almost any content, and of course, the world of beauty is not an exception.
Most people, if not all, have flocked to this social media platform to share hacks, Do It Yourselves, skills, tricks, trips, tutorials, and talents in diverse content in their feeds.
One side of this crazy trend is the nail TikTok, containing almost all nail hacks that possibly existed and creative designs for acrylic nails. Not to mention the secrets and techniques on achieving that perfect nail, everything you need to know to step up your nail game!
These also include Do It Yourself videos on applying these acrylic nails, even though sometimes, these DIYs accompany pain and inconvenience if not done correctly.
Perhaps you are one of those people who have tried following a TikTok nail hack video and encountered pain afterward, or you are simply a person experiencing nail pain after getting your nails done. I
f that is the case, then you have come across the perfect article.
This article will tackle a mini journey dedicated to acrylic nails, such as the common questions of why acrylic nails hurt, why fingers hurt after getting them done, and how to prevent experiencing this pain in the future.
Why Do Acrylic Nails Hurt?
Acrylic nails can be a stunning addition to your look, but they can also cause pain and discomfort if not applied or maintained properly.
Getting your nails done should be a relaxing and comforting journey and should not be a painful experience. Having acrylic nails is not a painful process, but if you have ever experienced pain wearing your acrylic nails, there are many reasons for this.
Before anything else, keep calm and do not worry because nail pain is usually normal and has no close association with a severe health condition or health problem. These are often temporary and leave no lasting complications. As long as you treat your nails properly, the pain will go away much sooner.
However, even though the pain will eventually subside, it is still essential to know and identify some specific causes for this inflammation. Let us look at some of the primary reasons and causes of nail pain.
Why Do My Acrylic Nails Hurt?
First, the most common cause of nail pain is nail infection also called paronychia. This problem causes pain, swelling, and redness around the affected area on your finger, especially around the nail cuticle. This is not an allergic reaction but rather an infection that needs treatment.
Although this is a common situation whether you use acrylic nails or not, it can still cause thickening of the nail and the development of pus around the affected nail area. This often happens in the fingernails and toenails when the bacteria enter the cuticle area from over-pushing back on the cuticle.
The second most common cause of nail pain is fungal nail infections.
A fungal nail infection arises when a fungus enters the nailbed injury, whether in the fingernail or toenails. This is also similar to the athlete’s foot. Yeasts, molds, and other fungi usually are the primary causes of this infection.
If you experience this, you will notice a change in your nail color, usually white or yellow. In addition, other symptoms of this include crumbling, splitting, thickening of the nail, and sometimes, even separation of the nail from the skin.
Do not underestimate the damage a nail infection can cause if left untreated. It has the ability to spread to other nails and skin; in the worst scenario, it can cause permanent change to the bed of the nail around the infected area.
Other Potential Reasons For Nail Pain
Another probable reason for your nail pain may be an ingrown nail. OUCH!
Here, the sides of your nail may curve directly into your skin. This can be a painful condition, too, and most likely to develop if the acrylic nails you have used are not appropriately trimmed and have created trauma to the nailbed.
The signs and physical symptoms to look for in this case are swelling and tenderness of the area, along with soreness and redness. This could cause continuous pain if left untreated for a long time.
Aside from the mentioned reasons, there is also the probability of having hangnails. Contrary to the name, they are not actually natural nails, but they refer to the hanging pieces of torn skin around your finger or on the edge of the nail.
They are a prevalent cause of nail pain linked with acrylic nails. They may originate from nail-biting, dry skin, strong soaps, and cold temperatures. Because of the chance of bleeding, be conscious of not ripping hangnails off because they can also trigger infections.
Another possibility of why acrylic nails hurt is if you are prone to the habit of nail biting. This habit is common for people but can cause bleeding around the nail cuticles and a risk of nail infections.
Even though genetic, nail abnormalities can also cause acrylic pain, especially if you are prone to regular trimming and pushing cuticles when you get your nails done.
Last, physical injuries may cause nail pain. Even though nails are strong, something can still damage them occasionally.
Finding Your Nail Pain Location
One effective way to determine and address the cause of your nail pain is by its location.
Hangnails, infections, and ingrown nails may cause pain in the nail’s sides and corners.
If your nail beds hurt, fungal nail infections, physical injuries, or nail abnormalities may likely cause them. If the pain is near the nail cuticle, nail-biting, hangnails, or nail infections often cause it.
Why Do My Fingers Hurt After Getting Acrylic Nails?
If your fingers hurt after getting your acrylic nails done, you may experience at least one of the previously mentioned reasons for nail pain. This is understandable, as applying acrylic pains can cause damage to your nails and skin. To summarize, it is possibly because of injuries or nail infections.
How Can You Prevent Pain After Getting Acrylic Nails?
As said, the road to having and achieving that nail goal of yours should not be a painful process. To avoid this nuisance experience, here are some valuable tips to prevent this pain in the future.
Before anything else, you need to treat the underlying cause and the primary root of your pain.
You may treat yourself with some over-the-counter antifungal cream or antibiotics and should seek medical treatment as soon as you need to avoid more severe complications.
It is also advisable to have your clippers and other nail tools to prevent bacteria and fungal exposure from other people.
You may also use a natural polish, nail-polish removers, and moisturizers not to dry out your nail too much. Try switching to other alternatives of acrylic nails like gel nail extensions or dip powders.
