Nail Folds

The nail folds — also known as “nail grooves” — are the skin that literally folds into the sides of the fingernail and toenail. Aside from the cuticles, the nail folds are the most frequent target of compulsive finger pickers.

The nail folds acts like the train tracks or railways the nail slides on during its journey out from under the cuticle and over the nail bed. Excessive picking at the nail folds can make them vulnerable to infections such as nail fungus. The dead or callused skin that builds up on the nail fold near the site of excessive picking encourages more picking — a vicious circle.