Short Nail Beds: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment Options

What are Nail Beds?

The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate that extends from the base of the nail up to the tips of the fingers and toes. It has a rich blood supply that provides nutrients to the nail to help it grow properly. The nail bed also contains nerves that allow sensation. Normal nail beds should extend all the way to the tips of the digits with the nail plate sitting smoothly over them.

What Causes Short Nail Beds?

There are several possible causes of abnormally short nail beds including:

Poor Nail Care Habits

Habitual picking, tearing, or biting of the nails can gradually push back the skin of the nail bed over time. This forms scar tissue that prevents the nail bed from extending fully to the fingertips.

Trauma and Injury

Injuries that over-bend the nail or crush and tear the nail bed can damage tissue leading to shortening. Likewise, surgeries on the fingers can mistakenly remove nail bed tissue.

Nail Fungal Infections

Untreated fungal nail infections cause thickening and crumbling of the nail plate. As debris builds up, it can press into the nail bed and shorten it.

Psoriasis

The inflammatory skin condition psoriasis sometimes affects the nails and underlying nail beds leading to pitting, crumbling, and shortening of the nail bed.

Skin Disorders

Skin diseases like eczema and lichen planus that affect the hands may also extend into the nail bed area and contribute to shortening.

Autoimmune Disease

Some autoimmune disorders are associated with nail abnormalities. For example, about 10-15% of people with alopecia areata (autoimmune hair loss) also develop minor nail pitting, rough texture, and short beds.

Poor Circulation

Reduced blood flow to the extremities seen in some cardiovascular conditions can impair nail growth and contribute to short, contracted nail beds over time.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Being deficient in certain vitamins and minerals may stunt nail growth and inhibit full extension of the nail beds. Common nutritional culprits include iron, biotin, vitamin D, protein, and zinc deficiencies.

Aging

As part of the normal aging process, nail growth slows down. Older adults often gradually develop shortened nail beds as growth plateaus.

Signs of Short Nail Beds

Here are the main signs that your nail beds are abnormally short:

• Nails do not reach the fingertip and appear much shorter than normal
• White, crescent tips are visible at the ends of the nails
• Nail plate feels thickened, brittle, or crumbly
• Ridges, pits, or grooves across nail plates surface
• Frequent nail splitting or cracking
• Skin of nail bed looks scarred or shrunken back
• Hang nails form from side skin pulling away
• Discoloration or dullness of nails
• Slower nail growth rate

One or several shortened nail beds may indicate an underlying medical condition or nutritional deficiency requiring treatment.

Complications of Short Nail Beds

While short nail beds may seem like just a cosmetic nuisance, they can lead to some complications including:

Ingrown Toenails

When the nail bed has contracted and nail folds over the sides, it can become embedded into the skin forming painful ingrown toenails.

Paronychia

Bacterial or fungal infections of the nail beds, called paronychia, develop more readily when the seal between skin and nail is compromised by shortening.

Discomfort and Pain

Short brittle nails are prone to cracking, splitting, and catching on things leading to discomfort. The exposed nail bed is also sensitive.

Wear and Tear

Shortened soft nails experience more damage, peeling, wear and tear during daily activities and use of the hands.

Weakened Grip

Having shortened, split, or cracked nail plates impairs finger and hand grip strength for grasping objects and performing tasks.

Reduced Sensation

Since the nail bed contains nerve endings that provide fingertip sensation, short beds reduce sensation in the fingertips for touch and texture.

Difficulty with Fine Motor Skills

Damaged nails hinder fine hand skills and precision needed for buttons, typing, detailed crafts, playing instruments, and other fussy finger work.

When to See a Doctor

Consult your physician or dermatologist if you notice any of the following regarding short nail beds:

• Sudden, unexplained shortening of nail beds
• Shortened beds present on multiple nails
• Severe nail bed damage or painful nail abnormalities
• Signs of infection like redness, swelling, oozing around the nails
• Nail changes accompany other skin/hair symptoms
• Shortened nail beds fail to improve with over-the-counter remedies

A doctor can determine if an underlying medical condition may be stunting nail bed growth and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Treatments for Short Nail Beds

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause but may include:

Medications

Oral antifungal pills or antibiotic medications may be prescribed for nail fungal and bacterial infections damaging the nail beds.

Topical Medications

Corticosteroid creams, calcineurin inhibitor ointments, or retinoid gels applied to affected nails can reduce inflammation and stimulate growth in psoriasis and eczema.

Nutritional Supplements

Your doctor may recommend oral supplements or vitamin injections to correct any nutritional deficiencies inhibiting nail bed extension.

Nail Avulsion

Severely damaged nail plates may need to be surgically removed to allow full regeneration of new, healthy nail beds.

Nail Braces

Orthotics or braces fitted over the nail may help properly retrain shortened nail beds to grow out fully over time.

Quit Habits

Stopping nail biting and picking behaviors allows beds to gradually repair and extend properly as nails grow out.

Moisturize Cuticles

Massaging moisturizer into the nail fold and cuticle areas keeps surrounding skin supple to support nail bed extension.

Protect Nails

Wear gloves for wet work and use care with nails to prevent further damage while treatments restore nail bed length.

Outlook for Short Nail Beds

With proper treatment, many cases of shortened nail beds can improve significantly or return to normal length. However, severely damaged beds may be permanently scarred and unable to fully extend. Thankfully, even with shortened beds, nails can usually still grow long enough for functional use of the hands and nails.

While short nail beds may be difficult to resolve completely, protecting nails from further damage and trauma can prevent the problem from worsening over time. Consult a doctor sooner rather than later if you notice any nail bed shortening to determine if an underlying medical condition needs correction.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.