I've been playing a lot more recently and am developing some pain around the base of my nail. I like playing with my natural nails and use clear nail polish (only near the end of my nail). My theory is that the pressure at one end of my nail is putting pressure at the other end. Or maybe I am developing a sensitivity to the nail polish but I try to keep it away from the cuticle and women seem to be able to use nail polish without any issues. Any suggestions short of making the transition to finger picks?
More likely you are lightly banging the cuticle with each stroke just enough to irritate it. Aim differently. banjered
Clear nail polish is no good. Try pink...or red 
Seriously, I hope you get it sorted
Edited by - GS on 05/22/2025 10:03:17
If you were scraping the cuticle against the strings, I'd think it would be very obviously raw there.
From what you say, it sounds like that isn't the case, and it's quite possible that pressure on the end of the nail can exert enough leverage at the base to cause some damage under the cuticle.
How long do you keep your playing nail(s)? The longer it is, the more force it's going to put on the base end. I keep mine short enough that I can play finger style without picks, and the nails never touch the strings, but they're still long enough to get a clear clawhammer sound off the nail edge, without the fingertip interfering or muting the string. I reckon if I look straight at the palm side of my fingertip, and can just barely see the edge of the nail, it's plenty long. Maybe getting a little longer than it should be.
Edited by - Dan Gellert on 05/22/2025 15:18:03
