Sophia Delgado
Many people suffer from dry, cracked skin around their nails due to nail-biting, cold, dry weather, or vitamin B deficiency. This can lead to painful rips and tears that may become infected. To address this issue, you can soak your hands in warm water, gently push back your cuticles, and carefully trim away any loose, dead skin around your nails using manicure nippers or scissors. It is important to only cut away the soft, loose skin and avoid cutting your actual cuticles, as they protect your nails from germs and bacteria. After trimming, apply cuticle oil or coconut oil to keep the area moisturized and healthy. Additionally, it is recommended to wear cotton gloves to help lock in the moisture.
How to cut dead skin around nails
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Warm water, nail file, manicure nippers, manicure scissors, moisturiser, cuticle oil, cotton gloves |
| Preparation | Soak fingers in warm water for 5-15 minutes |
| Cutting | Use a nail file or manicure scissors to gently cut away loose, soft, and translucent dead skin around the nails. Avoid cutting the upper cuticle, which protects against germs and bacteria |
| Aftercare | Apply cuticle oil or moisturiser to the nails and surrounding skin. Wear cotton gloves to lock in moisture |
| Prevention | Avoid biting or chewing nails and the surrounding skin. Consume foods rich in Vitamin B to prevent dryness caused by deficiency |
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What You'll Learn
Soak fingers in warm water
Soaking your fingers in warm water is an effective way to soften the skin around your nails, making it easier to remove dead skin. Here is a step-by-step guide to soaking your fingers to address dry skin around your nails:
Prepare the Soaking Solution
Firstly, prepare a bowl of warm water. The water temperature should be comfortable and not too hot or cold, as extreme temperatures can shock the skin. You can use plain warm water, or enhance it with additives. For example, you can add a few drops of soap to the water to soften your hands and loosen dead skin. Alternatively, you can add ingredients like lemon juice, honey, egg yolks, milk, or olive oil to create a nourishing soak. These additional ingredients can enhance hydration, promote healing, and strengthen your nails.
Soak Your Fingers
Once you have prepared your chosen soaking solution, it's time to immerse your fingers. Ensure that your nails and cuticles are fully submerged in the warm water. The recommended soaking time varies depending on the solution used. For plain warm water or soaks with soap, a shorter duration of around 5 minutes is sufficient. However, for more nourishing soaks with added ingredients, a longer soak of about 10 minutes is beneficial.
Dry and Moisturize
After soaking, gently pat your hands dry with a towel. Ensure that your cuticles remain slightly moist to facilitate easier removal of dead skin. At this point, you can proceed with the next steps in your nail care routine, such as pushing back your cuticles and trimming away excess skin. Finally, apply a moisturizer or cuticle oil to the area around your nails. This step helps to lock in hydration, promoting softer and healthier skin.
Soaking your fingers in warm water is a simple yet effective step in your nail care routine. It helps to soften the skin and prepare your nails for further treatment, making it easier to manage and remove dead skin around your nails.
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Use a nail file to scale out dead skin
Using a nail file to scale out dead skin around your nails is an effective method, but it must be done gently and carefully. The first step is to choose the right nail file. Emery boards are a common type of nail file made of heavy cardboard or plastic coated with a gritty material called emery. They come in different grit numbers, indicating the coarseness or fineness of the grit. For filing nails, it is recommended to use an emery board with a higher grit number, such as 180, as these have finer grits that are better for smoothing and shaping without causing damage.
Before using the nail file, it is important to ensure your nails are the correct length. If your nails are long, cut them before filing to achieve the desired length. Hold your fingers towards your face, with the underside of your wrist facing up and nails bent towards your face. Start filing from one of the outside corners, moving towards the center. It is crucial to always file in one direction and avoid a back-and-forth sawing motion, as this can fray and damage the nail, nail bed, and cuticle.
Once you have achieved the desired length and shape on one side, repeat the process on the other side, filing from the opposite corner towards the center. Go slowly to ensure you don't remove too much nail too quickly. After filing, you can further smooth and remove any remaining dead skin by gently rubbing your fingertips on a pair of denim jeans. This will buff out any remaining dead skin and smooth any jagged nails.
It is important to remember that cuticles protect the nail root, so they should not be cut or pushed back aggressively. Instead, focus on gently exfoliating and removing any dead skin around the nails using the nail file or emery board. After scaling out the dead skin, it is essential to moisturize the area well to promote healthy and hydrated skin around your nails.
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Apply cuticle oil
Cuticle oil is a blend of natural oils, such as jojoba, almond, avocado oil, or vegetable oils, enriched with vitamins and antioxidants. It is designed to nourish and moisturize the thin strips of skin at the base of your nails, keeping them soft and preventing them from becoming dry, cracked, or damaged.
- Start by removing any nail polish or residue from your nails using a gentle nail polish remover.
- Wash your hands with warm water and mild soap to clean your nails and soften your cuticles.
- Soften your cuticles by soaking them in warm water for 5-15 minutes.
- Once they are soft, use an orangewood stick or a metal cuticle pusher to gently push them back.
- Apply the oil to each nail, focusing on one hand at a time. Squeeze a drop of oil onto each nail, or use the brush or roller to dot each nail with oil.
- Massage the oil into your cuticles, nails, and the skin surrounding your nails. Take your time with this step to induce blood circulation.
- Repeat the process on your other hand.
- Re-apply every two to three hours or as needed.
For best results, apply cuticle oil to your nails at least once or twice a day. Consistency is key to maintaining healthy and nourished cuticles. It is recommended to use cuticle oil after a manicure to rehydrate your cuticles. Do not apply cuticle oil before a manicure as it may prevent the nail polish from adhering to your nails.
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Moisturise hands
Moisturising your hands is an important step in maintaining healthy skin around your nails. Dry hands can be very irritating and can be caused by a variety of factors, including environmental conditions, frequent hand washing, exposure to chemicals, and certain medical conditions. To combat dryness and protect your hands from these irritants, follow these steps:
Firstly, invest in a good moisturiser. Look for products that are designed to hydrate and seal moisture into the skin, such as a quality moisturising cream or lotion. If you have very dry and scaly skin, your doctor may recommend a special lotion containing lactic acid or urea. For deep moisturisation, consider a product originally intended for animals. If you are looking for a more affordable option, petroleum-based moisturisers like Vaseline can be a great alternative. Plant oil-infused lotions, such as Curél, are also effective and offer good value for money.
Apply your chosen moisturiser several times a day, especially after hand washing. If you work in an environment that requires frequent hand washing, carry a small bottle of lotion with you to reapply throughout the day. In addition, always moisturise your hands before going to bed. Slather on a generous amount of lotion or petroleum-based moisturiser and cover your hands with a pair of soft gloves or socks. This will help trap the moisture, allowing it to absorb more fully into your skin.
To specifically target the skin around your nails, use cuticle oil or coconut oil as an alternative. Apply the oil to your nails and the surrounding skin daily before bed, and wear cotton gloves to help the oil sink in deeply. This will keep your cuticles soft, moisturised, and healthy.
Remember, repetition is key. Dermatologists emphasise the importance of keeping your hands moisturised to protect them from environmental damage. By following these steps and moisturising regularly, you can effectively reduce dryness and maintain healthy, well-groomed hands and nails.
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Avoid biting nails and skin
Biting your nails and the skin around them is a common habit that often starts in childhood. It can be difficult to stop, but it's not impossible. Chronic nail biting can cause short-term issues like dental problems and abnormal-looking nails, and it can also leave you vulnerable to infection as you pass harmful bacteria from your mouth to your fingers.
- Identify your triggers: Notice when and why you bite your nails. Are you bored, stressed, or anxious? By figuring out what triggers the behaviour, you can work on avoiding those situations or developing healthier coping mechanisms.
- Gradual approach: Instead of going cold turkey, try a gradual approach. Start by stopping biting the nails on one hand or even just one finger. Gradually work your way up until you stop biting altogether.
- Keep nails trimmed: Keep your nails short. Having less nail to bite can reduce the temptation. It also helps to reduce hangnails and ragged edges that may trigger the urge to bite.
- Apply bitter nail polish: Use over-the-counter bitter-tasting nail polish to discourage nail biting. The awful taste will make you think twice before biting your nails.
- Keep your nails looking nice: Get a manicure or paint your nails at home. You may be less likely to bite your nails if they look nice, and you've spent time and money on them.
- Use gloves or stickers: Wear gloves, especially if you can't keep your hands away from your mouth. If gloves aren't practical, consider using stickers designed to cover your nails, which can have a similar effect.
- Find alternative fidgets: Keep your hands and mouth busy with alternative fidgets like stress balls, worry stones, fidget toys, or chewing gum. These can help redirect the nail-biting urge and provide a healthier outlet.
- Address underlying issues: If nail biting is related to emotional or mental stress, consider cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to address the underlying causes.
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Frequently asked questions
Soak your hands in warm water for 5-15 minutes to soften the skin, then use manicure nippers or scissors to carefully cut away any loose, soft, and translucent dead skin. Avoid cutting your actual cuticles as these protect your nails from germs and bacteria.
Moisturise your hands daily and apply cuticle oil or coconut oil to your nails and the surrounding skin to keep them soft and hydrated. You can also wear cotton gloves to help the oil sink in.
Consume foods rich in Vitamin B such as pork, chicken, fish, bread, whole cereals (oatmeal, wheat germ, and brown rice), eggs, and vegetables. A Vitamin B deficiency may lead to dry skin.
