Caleb Foster
Hardened skin under the nails can be caused by various factors, including fungal infections, psoriasis, and autoimmune conditions. To remove it, one must first understand the underlying cause and consult a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. In general, it is recommended to avoid cutting the hyponychium, as this may introduce an infection. Instead, individuals can try using cuticle remover gel, softening the skin with warm, soapy water, and gently removing the dead skin with a cuticle removing tool. Keeping the nails and surrounding skin clean, moisturized, and free of harsh chemicals is also essential for maintaining healthy nails and preventing hardened skin.
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What You'll Learn
Soak hands in warm, soapy water
Soaking your hands in warm, soapy water is an effective way to soften the skin around your nails and make it easier to remove. Here is a step-by-step guide:
First, fill a bowl with warm water to a depth of approximately 4 inches. Ensure the water is not too hot or lukewarm but at a comfortable temperature. Add a mild, natural soap to the water to create a soapy solution. Avoid using strong, harsh paraben-based soaps as these can make your nails brittle.
Next, dip your hands into the bowl, making sure to submerge your nails and cuticles completely. Soak your hands for around 5 to 10 minutes. For best results, you can use a clean toothbrush to gently scrub the tops of your nails and underneath them during the soaking process.
After soaking, remove your hands from the bowl and pat them dry with a towel. Ensure that your cuticles are free of water drops but still moist. Drying your hands thoroughly will prepare them for the next steps in your nail care routine.
Now that your hands are soaked and dried, it's time to address the hardened skin under your nails. Using a wooden cuticle pusher or an orange stick, gently push back your cuticles. This step will help neaten your cuticles and prevent them from growing onto your nails.
Finally, if you have excess hardened skin around your nails, carefully trim it away using manicure or cuticle scissors. Be cautious not to cut your cuticles, as this can lead to infection. Once you've trimmed the excess skin, apply a generous amount of moisturiser to your hands, fingers, cuticles, and the skin around your nails to lock in moisture.
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Use cuticle remover gel
Using a cuticle remover gel is an effective way to remove hardened skin under your nails. This method is particularly useful for addressing the overgrowth of the hyponychium—the skin just under the free edge of your nail near your fingertip, which can thicken and cause pain when trimming nails.
Before using a cuticle remover gel, it is important to understand the anatomy of your nails to distinguish between the cuticle and the healthy living skin at the base of the nail. Cuticle remover gel should only be applied to the cuticles, as the skin around the cuticle is delicate and protects the area where new nail cells are formed.
To use the gel, start by squirting it around the nail bed. Allow the gel to sit for around 15 seconds, then use a cuticle-removing tool to gently remove the dead, hardened skin. It is recommended to use this method weekly to maintain healthy cuticles.
It is important to note that not all cuticle removers are the same, so always read the product instructions before use to avoid irritation. Some cuticle removers contain high-pH chemicals like sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, which can irritate the skin if left on for too long.
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Moisturise with cuticle oil
Cuticle oil is an effective way to moisturise the skin under your nails and prevent it from hardening. It is a blend of oils and sometimes contains vitamins and other ingredients, such as antioxidants. The oil helps to soften and hydrate the cuticle area, preventing future dryness and cracking.
To use cuticle oil, start by washing your hands. Then, apply a thin layer of the oil to your nail beds using your fingertip, a soft brush, or a rollerball applicator. You only need to use a few drops as most cuticle oils work best in small amounts. Massage the oil into your cuticles and the surrounding skin for a few minutes. Cuticle oils are quick-absorbing, so they won't leave your hands feeling greasy.
There are many different types of cuticle oils available, and you can choose one based on your preferences for ingredients and application method. Some popular options include Sally Hansen cuticle oil, which contains vitamin E and aloe, Essie cuticle oil with a rollerball applicator, and CND Solar Oil, which contains jojoba oil and vitamin E. You can also find cuticle oils with sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, and coconut oil, which is a cost-effective at-home treatment option.
In addition to using cuticle oil, you can also prevent hardened skin under your nails by avoiding certain manicures, such as gel manicures or acrylic nails, which can contribute to skin overgrowth. It is also important to keep your cuticles clean and push them back gently with an orange stick or cuticle pusher.
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Clip off hangnails and dead skin
Hangnails are irritating pieces of skin that jut out from the sides of your fingernails. They are not part of the nail itself but torn pieces of skin that hang loose next to your nails. They can be caused by dry air, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and constant hand washing.
To clip off hangnails and dead skin, start by washing your hands with warm, soapy water. Softening the area first can reduce your risk of injury or infection. Then, gently clip off the hangnail with sanitized nail clippers or cuticle scissors. Cut off only the part of the hangnail that is jutting out, and not the living skin underneath. Try to cut off as much of the dead skin as possible, so nothing is left protruding from your nail bed. If you accidentally cut too closely and it bleeds, rinse with water, coat with antibacterial ointment, and cover the area with a bandage until it is completely healed. If you cut off the hangnail without drawing blood, moisturize the area liberally.
It is important to treat an infected hangnail quickly. Infected hangnails can usually be treated at home with topical antibiotic ointment. If the infection does not clear up within a week, see a doctor. Hangnails can be prevented by keeping the skin moisturized and making some lifestyle changes, such as wearing gloves when washing dishes or gardening and reducing the use of products containing acetone.
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Avoid gel manicures
Gel manicures can be harmful to your nails and skin in several ways. Firstly, the curing process involves exposure to ultraviolet A (UVA) rays, which can cause skin ageing and DNA damage that may lead to skin cancer. Even if you use an LED lamp, it still emits UV radiation. Therefore, it is recommended to limit gel manicures to a few times a year for special occasions.
Secondly, gel manicures can cause skin and nail dryness. The alcohol-based cleaners and dehydrators used during the application process can make your nails dry, brittle, and more prone to cracking. This can not only damage your manicure but also your natural nails. It is crucial to keep your nails and cuticles moisturized during and after gel manicures.
Thirdly, gel manicures can lead to nail bed burning and skin allergies. Some people have reported severe reactions to gel polish, with skin peeling off in thick layers. Allergies can develop from repeated exposure to gel that is not fully cured. It is important to ensure proper curing to mitigate these risks.
Additionally, gel manicures may contribute to the overgrowth of skin under the fingernail, known as hyponychium thickening. This condition can be unsightly, painful, and increase the risk of infection. While the exact cause is not fully understood, it may be related to the chemicals in gel manicures.
To maintain healthy nails and skin, it is advisable to opt for regular manicures using traditional nail polish or explore alternatives like peel-off polish, gel-effect polish, non-toxic natural nail polish, dip powder nails, or press-on nails.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to remove hard skin under your nails. You can use a cuticle remover gel, soak your nails in warm soapy water, or use a cuticle removing tool. You can also try cutting your nails short, which will likely cut the skin under your nails.
The hyponychium is the skin just under the free edge of the nail. It can sometimes overgrow and become thicker, which may be caused by a fungal nail infection.
If the skin under your nails becomes very thick, it can cause onycholysis, which is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. This can make trimming your nails painful and increase the chance of infection.
To prevent hard skin from forming under your nails, you should keep your cuticles clean, moisturized, and pushed back. You should also avoid activities that dry out your skin, such as washing dishes without gloves or frequent hand washing.
If you are unsure what is causing the hard skin under your nails, it is recommended that you visit a dermatologist for an evaluation.
