Nail bed

The nail bed is the skin under the nail plate. It has a good blood supply – which is why a healthy nail looks pink. The nail plate is firmly attached to the nail bed and slides forward on it as it grows.

Common problems

• bruise under the nail (subungual haematoma) – e.g. after a knock or from shoes that are too short
• separation of the nail (onycholysis)
• pressure and pain from thickened nails (onychauxis)
• inflammation at the nail edge (paronychia)

When to see a doctor?

Dark discolouration under the nail that appears without an injury or does not grow out with the nail should always be examined by a doctor.