What Is a Nail Bed (and Why Is It Important)? Experts Weigh In

Our fingernails have a complex anatomy, and each element (from the nail plate to the nail bed) plays an important role. The nail bed, in particular, is extremely important as it affects our nails' overall health and appearance. That's why protecting our nail beds from harm is crucial. To help us understand more about the role nail beds play and how to care for them, we tapped board-certified dermatologist Dana Stern, MD, and celebrity manicurist Jin Soon. Read their insights below.

What Is a Nail Bed? 

The nail bed is one of the many elements that comprise the nail anatomy. "The nail bed is the support structure for the nail plate—it impacts the strength, color, and texture of the nail and is vital for nail health," Soon says.

The bed stretches from the top to the bottom of the nail (or, in manicurist speak, "from the lunula to the free edge"), contains blood vessels and nerve endings, and produces the keratin cells that keep the nail plate strong. "It's part of the nail unit, which protects the tips of the digits and helps with fine motor activity, touch, and grasping," Dr. Stern adds. 

Why Is Your Nail Bed Important?

Though your nail beds may not be directly exposed, they're directly responsible for keeping the parts of your nails you can see looking their best. "The nail bed's condition significantly influences nail length, shape, and color," Soon says. "Maintaining well-supported nail plate growth from a healthy nail bed contributes to smooth and aesthetically pleasing nails, while an unhealthy nail bed may result in irregularities like ridges and bumps."

Aesthetics aside, your nail beds also act as protective barriers to cushion against minor injuries, and their countless nerve endings provide sensory feedback to safeguard against harm. "They also prevent issues like ingrown toenails and painful cuticles, ensuring a clean and even nail surface," Soon notes. 

With that in mind, keeping your nail beds healthy is critically important. "The nail can be an entry for infection, including yeast, bacteria, and fungus," Dr. Stern says. "For example, when the nail is separated from the nail bed, organisms can enter, leading to infectious conditions and complications."

What Can Impact Your Nail Bed?

In addition to the lifestyle practices that can impact the health and appearance of your nail beds, a few other issues may also affect them. In any of these situations, it’s best to seek the help of a medical professional instead of trying to treat them on your own. 

Onycholysis

Onycholysis, characterized by the nail bed separating from the plate, is most commonly caused by user error (like sticking a tool deeper than it belongs). However, Dr. Stern cautions that it may also be a sign of an underlying medical condition, including fast-onset hyperthyroidism, fungal infections, trauma, and allergic reactions. 

Nail Bed Tumors

Though nail bed tumors are rare, they do happen—and it's important to know what to look for. They tend to show up as "clubbing," which Dr. Stern describes as an "over curvature of the nails in the proximal to distal planes [or top to bottom], forming a rounded bulge-like appearance." 

Melanoma

Dr. Stern names melanoma as "the most concerning issue" that can appear on the nail bed. "A dark brown or black stripe along the length of a nail or brown pigment surrounding the nail at the nail fold could be benign pigmentation [caused by cuticle treatments, which stimulate pigment production], but rarely it can be a melanoma of the nail." It’s important to see a medical professional as soon as any concerns arise. 

Psoriasis

Psoriasis can appear anywhere on the body, and your nail beds are no exception. Symptoms of nail psoriasis include onychlosis, thick and discolored nail plates, redness and swelling, and small depressions on top of the nail plate. Treatments can include topical medications and targeted therapies, but it is best conducted with the help of a medical practitioner to find out what approach will work for you.

Trauma

In addition to these underlying conditions, any trauma or injury to the nail bed can have an adverse effect. "A subungual hematoma is when trauma to the nail results in bleeding in the nail bed," Dr. Stern says. "The blood can collect under the nail, and the increase in volume under the nail can lift the plate off the bed. This can be painful, and if there is significant volume, the nail can be completely shed."

How to Care for Your Nail Bed

Practice Proper Nail Care

Taking the time to treat your nails to some regular TLC—whether at home or in the salon—can make all the difference in keeping your nail beds healthy. "Hydrate your hands and feet with nourishing creams, and consider using a cuticle oil or nail strengthener with biotin or keratin to promote optimal nail health," Soon says. "Avoid aggressive cuticle treatment by gently pushing back the cuticle, opting for a fine-grit emery board for smooth filing, and being mindful of [nail polishes and products] harsh ingredients."

Avoid Aggressive Cleaning and Treatments

While it may be tempting to try to dig out whatever dirt is trapped under your nail, experts are begging you not to. Sticking a sharp, pointy tool under your nail plate can cause onycholysis, in which the plate lifts or separates from the bed. "Cleaning under the nails too harshly can be harmful and potentially lead to infections," Soon says. Dr. Stern adds that if your nail plate is separating from the bed, you should take a break from using nail polish, polish remover, [and nail extensions] until things have returned to normal. 

You'll want to be gentle with whatever you're doing to your cuticles, too. "Aggressive cuticle treatment can harm nail health by causing irritation, redness, soreness, and inflammation in the nail bed, and can also elevate the risk of bacterial and fungal infections," Soon says. "The cuticle acts as a protective barrier for the nail bed, and damaging it weakens the overall nail structure, making it more prone to breakage."

Stop Biting and Picking Your Nails

If ever you needed a reason to kick that nail-biting habit to the curb, the health of your nail beds is it. "Nail biting and picking can seriously harm nail health by causing tearing, bruising, and permanent damage to the nail bed," Soon says. "These habits also increase the risk of painful infections due to breaks in the skin, and the repetitive injuries can lead to distorted growth, including uneven ridges and ingrown nails. Breaking free from these habits is crucial for preserving the overall integrity and well-being of the nails."

Protect Your Hands

Sticking your hands into gloves every time you wash the dishes may feel like overkill, but the pros say it's worth it for keeping your nail plate and bed healthy. "Ensure the well-being of your nails by wearing protective gloves during chores and maintaining proper hygiene to safeguard against infections," Soon says. 

The Final Takeaway

The nail bed is one of the most important parts of the nail structure—playing a role in how your nails look aesthetically and their overall health. By helping to support the nail plate, the nail bed acts as a protective barrier against minor injuries and issues. However, though the nail bed is resilient, it can be negatively impacted by factors like repeated trauma to the nail or medical issues such as onycholysis. If you notice a change in the appearance of your nail bed, it's best to assess your current nail care routine and consult a medical professional.