Caleb Foster
Cracked skin around the nails is a common issue, often caused by nail-biting, cold weather, or underlying health conditions. The skin around the nails can become dry and irritated, leading to painful rips and tears. In more severe cases, cracked skin can be a sign of an infection or skin disease. To prevent and treat cracked skin around the nails, it is important to keep the hands and nails clean, dry, and well-moisturized. Avoiding harsh chemicals and wearing gloves when performing tasks that require contact with water or chemicals can also help.
How to stop finger nail skin cracks
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Causes | Biting nails, dry weather, aging, exposure to water, fungal infections, yeast or mold infections, underlying illnesses, cancer treatment, lack of vitamins and nutrients |
| Symptoms | Pain, bleeding, inflammation, dryness, irritation |
| Treatment | Moisturize hands and nails, use hand cream, wear gloves, avoid harsh chemicals and products with alcohol, use natural and nourishing soap, apply liquid adhesive to seal wounds |
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What You'll Learn
- Moisturise your hands regularly, especially after washing them
- Avoid harsh nail products and use a natural, nourishing soap
- Wear gloves when washing dishes or performing tasks that require you to get your hands wet
- Don't bite your nails or the skin around them
- Treat any underlying health conditions, such as fungal infections or nutritional deficiencies
Moisturise your hands regularly, especially after washing them
Moisturising your hands is an essential step in preventing and healing cracked skin around your nails. When you wash your hands, try to leave them slightly damp before applying hand cream. This helps to seal in the moisture and prevent your skin from drying out. It is especially important to moisturise your hands after using hand sanitiser, as the alcohol in the sanitiser can contribute to dry skin.
You can also try soaking your hands in warm water for about five minutes. After this, your skin will be soft, so push back your cuticles and trim away any excess skin. Then, apply moisturiser and put on cotton gloves for the night. This will help lock in the moisture and repair your skin.
It is recommended to moisturise your hands daily to prevent dryness and keep them in great condition. You can use a hand cream or a natural nourishing cream with ingredients like coconut oil, sunflower oil, and shea butter. Additionally, consider using gloves when performing tasks that involve getting your hands wet or working with chemicals to protect your skin.
Along with moisturising, remember to keep your hands out of your mouth. Biting your nails or the skin around them can lead to painful tears and potential infections.
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Avoid harsh nail products and use a natural, nourishing soap
To prevent cracked skin around your nails, it's important to avoid harsh nail products and opt for natural, nourishing alternatives. Many products, such as dish soap and laundry detergent, contain harsh chemicals that can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and cracking. Therefore, it is advisable to use natural and nourishing soap that contains safe and effective ingredients. For example, a coconut and sunflower oil soap bar can leave your skin feeling soft and supple. It is also important to keep your hands well-hydrated, and you can use a natural moisturiser for this purpose.
Additionally, it is recommended to avoid nail-biting and picking at the skin around your nails. Biting your nails can lead to painful rips and tears that may become infected. If you struggle with this habit, you can try painting your nails a bright colour to make them more noticeable, or use a foul-tasting ointment to deter yourself from putting your fingers in your mouth.
To further protect your nails and the surrounding skin, it is advisable to wear gloves when performing tasks that require you to get your hands wet or work with chemicals. This includes dishwashing, as dish soap can be particularly drying to the skin. By wearing gloves, you can create a barrier that helps retain moisture and protects your skin from irritation.
In addition to avoiding harsh nail products, it is essential to keep your nails properly maintained. This includes trimming your nails regularly and filing any rough edges to prevent catching. Keeping your nails at a manageable length can help reduce the chances of cracking and breaking.
Finally, maintaining overall hand and nail hygiene is crucial. Washing your hands regularly with a gentle, natural soap can help remove dirt and impurities, while also providing nourishment to the skin. After washing, ensure that you thoroughly dry your hands and apply moisturiser to lock in hydration.
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Wear gloves when washing dishes or performing tasks that require you to get your hands wet
Wearing gloves is an effective way to prevent fingernail skin cracks, especially if your job involves frequent contact with water, chemicals, or detergents. This is because prolonged exposure to these substances can irritate the skin and lead to nail bed infections, such as paronychia. By wearing gloves, you create a protective barrier that shields your skin and nails from these harmful substances.
It is important to choose the right type of gloves to protect your hands effectively. Waterproof gloves are ideal if you work with water or chemicals, as they prevent the substances from coming into direct contact with your skin. Rubber or plastic gloves are also suitable, especially if you pair them with healing ointments or lotions that promote skin regeneration. Cotton gloves are another option, as they are breathable and can help lock in moisture after applying lotion.
However, it's crucial to avoid wearing gloves for extended periods, as this can create a warm and humid environment that promotes the growth of yeast and bacteria. If you must wear gloves for long periods, ensure they are breathable and allow your hands to breathe in between uses. Additionally, be cautious when removing gloves, as touching contaminated surfaces with your bare hands can increase the risk of infection.
When wearing gloves, it's essential to maintain proper hand hygiene. Wash your hands regularly to keep them clean and free from harmful substances. Make sure your hands are completely dry before putting on gloves, as moisture trapped inside the gloves can soften and damage your skin.
In summary, wearing gloves can be an effective way to prevent fingernail skin cracks, especially when combined with proper hand care and glove-wearing practices. By choosing the right type of gloves, avoiding prolonged glove use, and maintaining good hand hygiene, you can protect your hands and nails from damage and infection.
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Don't bite your nails or the skin around them
Biting your nails and the skin around them is a common habit, but it can lead to painful rips and tears in the skin, which may become infected. It can also damage the tissue that makes nails grow, resulting in abnormal-looking nails. To stop nail biting, you can try the following:
- Identify the triggers that make you bite your nails. Notice how you feel or what you are doing when you bite your nails. Once you know what triggers you to bite your nails, you can try to find other coping mechanisms.
- Keep your hands or mouth busy. Find something to fiddle with, like a stress ball or a pen to click. Chewing gum can also help keep your mouth occupied.
- Set small goals for yourself. Try to stop biting the nails on one hand or even just one nail. Once you've achieved this, you can gradually add more nails to the "no-biting" zone.
- Keep your nails trimmed short. Having less nail makes it less tempting to bite them.
- Apply bitter-tasting nail polish to your nails. This safe but awful-tasting formula discourages many people from biting their nails.
- Paint your nails a bright colour so they are more noticeable. This can help make you more aware of what you are doing and remind you to stop chewing.
- Wear gloves to prevent access to your nails. If gloves are not practical for your daily routine, you can use stickers designed to cover nails, which can have a similar effect.
- Try using a foul-tasting ointment to deter you from putting your fingers near your mouth.
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Treat any underlying health conditions, such as fungal infections or nutritional deficiencies
Fingernail skin cracks can be caused by various fungal infections and nutritional deficiencies. To treat these underlying conditions, you should first identify the specific issue. For instance, if you have a fungal nail infection, you may notice symptoms such as discolouration, thickening, and distortion of the nail. Toenails are more frequently affected than fingernails, and the infection can cause pain or discomfort.
To treat a fungal nail infection, you should consult a dermatologist or your GP. They may prescribe antifungal treatments, which are effective in 60 to 80% of cases. Treatment can last several months, and medications are typically taken once or twice a day. Antifungal tablets are not currently available over the counter due to their potential side effects and long treatment duration. Instead, your doctor may suggest antifungal nail paint or even laser treatment for stubborn cases.
If your nail cracks are due to nutritional deficiencies, you may observe different symptoms. For example, scattered white spots on the nails can indicate a zinc deficiency. In this case, you should stop using nail products and allow your nails to grow. If the spots persist, consult a doctor. Vertical nail ridges and koilonychia (spoon nails) can be a sign of iron deficiency. Again, supplements can help, but it takes several months to see improvements as you must wait for new nail growth.
Other nutritional deficiencies that can affect nail health include vitamin B and calcium deficiencies, which can cause brittle nails. To treat this, you can try applying lotions with alpha hydroxy acids or lanolin. Additionally, avoiding water-heavy tasks or wearing gloves during such tasks can help prevent further damage. Taking a multivitamin that includes calcium and B vitamins can also aid in improving your nail health.
In summary, treating any underlying health conditions, such as fungal infections or nutritional deficiencies, involves identifying the specific issue and then taking the necessary steps to address it. This may include seeking medical advice, taking supplements, or making lifestyle changes to improve nail health and prevent further cracking.
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Frequently asked questions
To stop nail cracks, it is important to keep your nails clean and dry. Nails that are cracked, split, or brittle can sometimes be a sign of a health problem. It is recommended to cut your nails straight across and round the tips slightly. Use a nail oil or hand lotion regularly to keep them moisturized.
To prevent cracks in the skin around your nails, avoid biting your nails or the skin around them. Bacteria in the mouth can lead to an infection if you rip your skin around your nail. Keep your hands well-hydrated and moisturized.
Cracked skin around nails is usually caused by dry and irritated skin. It can also be caused by skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Exposure to cold, dry weather can also cause cracked skin.
If the cracks are bleeding, use liquid bandages to close the wound and stop the bleeding. These bandages seal the cut closed and reduce the risk of infection.
