Your nails aren't actually growing backwards, but what you're likely experiencing is a condition called retronychia, where the nail plate grows into the proximal nail fold (the skin at the base of your nail) instead of outwards.
Here's a breakdown of why this happens:
What is Retronychia?
Retronychia is a condition where the nail plate becomes embedded in the proximal nail fold (PNF). Instead of growing outwards, the new nail plate grows vertically into the skin at the base of the nail. This causes inflammation and other issues.
Causes of Retronychia
The primary cause of retronychia is typically trauma or injury to the nail. This disrupts the normal growth process. Specific reasons include:
- Acute Injury: A single, significant injury to the nail (e.g., stubbing your toe, slamming a finger in a door).
- Repetitive Microtrauma: Repeated small injuries to the nail, such as from ill-fitting shoes (common in athletes) or repetitive activities.
- Systemic Disease: Less commonly, certain systemic diseases can contribute to retronychia.
- Tight Footwear: Crowding the toes can lead to the condition.
- Other Contributing Factors: These can include psoriasis, inflammatory arthritis, and even some medications.
Essentially, the injury causes the nail plate to separate from the nail matrix and nail bed. When the new nail begins to grow, it gets misdirected and grows into the surrounding skin.
Symptoms of Retronychia
Common symptoms include:
- Inflammation: Redness, swelling, and pain around the base of the nail.
- Paronychia: Infection around the nail.
- Xanthonychia: Yellow discoloration of the nail.
- Onycholysis: Separation of the nail plate from the nail bed.
- Granulation Tissue: Formation of new connective tissue at the base of the nail.
- Multiple Nail Plates: You may see several generations of nail plates stacked on top of each other.
Treatment for Retronychia
Treatment focuses on resolving the inflammation and allowing the nail to regrow normally. Options may include:
- Elevation of the Nail Plate: A healthcare professional may lift the embedded nail plate to allow it to grow outward.
- Corticosteroids: Topical or injected corticosteroids can reduce inflammation.
- Nail Avulsion: In severe cases, partial or complete removal of the nail plate may be necessary.
- Addressing Underlying Causes: If a systemic disease is contributing, that needs to be managed.
- Proper Footwear: Ensuring shoes fit correctly is crucial to prevent recurrence, especially in toe retronychia.
If you suspect you have retronychia, it's important to consult a dermatologist or podiatrist for proper diagnosis and treatment. They can determine the best course of action to get your nail growth back on track.
