Sophia Delgado
The skin under your nails, known as the hyponychium, can sometimes overgrow and become thicker. This can be caused by damage from gel or acrylic nails, or by a condition called Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU). While it might be tempting to reach for the nail clippers, this can risk infection. Instead, try soaking your nails and then gently pushing the skin down with a cuticle pusher. You can then trim any excess skin with cuticle scissors. To prevent skin overgrowth, avoid gel manicures and acrylic nails, and make sure to keep your hands and nails clean and moisturised.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Skin under the nail | Hyponychium |
| Purpose | Acts as a barrier to protect the nail from harmful substances, germs, debris, and bacteria |
| Overgrowth causes | Gel manicures, acrylic nails, nail biting, swimming in chlorinated water, frequent hand washing, and washing dishes without gloves |
| Overgrowth treatment | Avoid gel manicures and acrylic nails, use a cuticle pusher, use a topical corticosteroid, use antifungal medication |
| General nail care | Keep nails short, clean nails with dish soap, wear gloves, moisturize |
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What You'll Learn
Soak nails in warm, soapy water
Soaking your nails in warm, soapy water is a great way to clean and soften your nails and the skin around them. It is also an effective way to remove press-ons or acrylic nails without damaging your natural nails.
To begin, fill a bowl with warm water. The water should be at a comfortable temperature—not too hot or too cold. Add some mild, natural soap to the water. Submerge the tips of your fingers in the bowl, being careful not to get your whole hand wet. Let your nails soak for about three minutes. If you are trying to remove press-ons or acrylic nails, you may need to soak your nails for a longer period, between five and fifteen minutes.
During the soak, the warm water will help to soften your nails and the surrounding skin. This makes it easier to clean your nails and remove any dirt or grime built up underneath them. The warm water also helps to soften glue, making it easier to gently scrape off press-ons or acrylic nails.
After soaking your nails, you can use a clean toothbrush to gently scrub the tops and bottoms of your nails. This will help to dislodge any remaining dirt or residue. If you are removing press-ons or acrylics, you can use a cuticle stick or orange stick to gently push and lift the edges of the artificial nails.
Remember to dry your hands and nails thoroughly after soaking, and always moisturize your nails and cuticles afterward to keep them healthy and happy.
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Use a cuticle stick to push back the skin
Using a cuticle stick to push back the skin from under your nails is a great way to keep your cuticles from growing out onto your nail. This method is also a lot safer than cutting your cuticles, which can risk infection.
To start, you'll want to make sure your hands are clean and dry. Fill a bowl with warm, soapy water and soak your hands for about 10 minutes. Then, pat your hands dry with a towel, ensuring your cuticles are free of water drops but still moist.
Next, take your cuticle stick. These are angled, pointed wooden sticks, also known as orange sticks. Use the flat end of the stick to gently push your cuticle back. This will give you a bigger nail area and a better manicure. If there is lots of cuticle, you can then trim any excess skin and hangnails with cuticle scissors.
You can finish off by applying a generous amount of your favourite moisturiser to your hands, fingers, cuticles, and the skin around your nails.
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Trim excess skin with sanitized nail clippers
It is important to note that the hyponychium, or the thick skin under your nail, is generally good as it protects your nail from harmful substances and prevents infection. However, it can become a problem if it overgrows, which can be painful and may increase the risk of infection.
If you are experiencing overgrown skin under your nails, it is recommended to trim any excess skin with sanitized nail clippers or cuticle scissors. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this safely and effectively:
- Sanitize your nail clippers or cuticle scissors: It is important to ensure that your tools are sanitized to prevent the risk of infection. You can sanitize your tools by soaking them in isopropyl alcohol or using a disinfectant spray or wipe.
- Soak your hands: Fill a bowl with warm, soapy water and soak your hands for about 10 minutes. This will help to soften the skin and cuticles, making it easier to trim the excess skin.
- Dry your hands: After soaking your hands, pat them dry with a towel. Make sure that your cuticles are free of water drops but still moist. This will help to soften the skin and cuticles, making it easier to trim any excess skin.
- Push back your cuticles: Using a wooden cuticle pusher or an orange stick (a manicuring stick with a pointed end and a flat end), gently push back your cuticles. This will help to keep them from growing out onto your nail and make it easier to access the excess skin under your nail.
- Trim the excess skin: Using your sanitized nail clippers or cuticle scissors, carefully trim any excess skin that is jutting out from under your nail. It is important to be gentle and careful to avoid cutting the live skin or cuticle, as this can be painful and may increase the risk of infection.
- Moisturize: After trimming the excess skin, apply a generous amount of moisturizer or cuticle oil to your cuticles and the skin around your nails. This will help to keep the area hydrated and healthy, preventing dryness and cracking.
It is important to note that you should never cut your cuticles, as this can increase the risk of infection. If you are unsure about trimming the excess skin under your nails, it is best to consult a dermatologist or a licensed cosmetologist.
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Treat the cause of skin overgrowth
The skin under your nails is called the hyponychium. It acts as a barrier to protect your nails from harmful substances and germs. However, sometimes it can overgrow, leading to thickened skin under the nail, which can be painful and increase the risk of infection. This condition is called subungual hyperkeratosis.
If you notice skin overgrowth under your nails, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist, especially if the skin is discoloured, painful, bleeding, or emitting a foul odour. They can determine the underlying cause and suggest an appropriate treatment.
One possible cause of skin overgrowth is Pterygium Inversum Unguis (PIU), where the hyponychium attaches to the underside of the nail as it grows. It is an uncommon condition but a common cause of skin overgrowth. PIU can be present from birth or acquired later in life, with the acquired form often associated with autoimmune conditions such as lupus.
Another potential cause of skin overgrowth is fungal nail infection or onychomycosis, which can thicken both the nail and the underlying skin. Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (DSLO) is the most common form, starting in the hyponychium and then spreading to the nail plate and bed.
If gel manicures or acrylic nails are the culprit, avoiding these procedures and switching to regular manicures can usually reverse the skin overgrowth. Additionally, maintaining short nails and using cuticle oil or a cuticle remover can help soften the thickened skin. For nail psoriasis or fungal infections, a dermatologist may prescribe a topical treatment.
To summarise, skin overgrowth under the nails can be treated by identifying and addressing the underlying cause. This may involve consulting a dermatologist, discontinuing certain manicure procedures, maintaining short nails, and using cuticle products to soften the thickened skin.
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Moisturise the cuticles
Cuticles are the thin, transparent skin surrounding the nail beds that act as a protective barrier against bacteria and prevent nail infections. They are sensitive to over-washing, biting, picking, or manipulation and can get dry and crack easily. Therefore, it is important to keep them clean and moisturized.
Moisturizing your cuticles regularly with cuticle oil can prevent them from becoming dry and cracked. Cuticle oil softens and hydrates the cuticle area and is usually made of a blend of oils and sometimes contains vitamins. You can also use coconut oil as an at-home treatment option. The saturated fat in coconut oil can help soothe and strengthen nail beds.
If you want to use a cuticle cream, look for ingredients like vitamins A, C, and E, and natural oils such as almond and sunflower oil. The oils will help soften your cuticles and the vitamins can nourish and strengthen them.
You can also use a wax or oil-based balm (cuticle balm, hand salve, or a lotion stick) for hydration treatment. For quick and easy use, you can use a standard hand cream.
To apply, massage a small amount of the product of your choice into your nail beds after washing your hands. You can also soak your hands in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes, pat them dry with a towel, and then apply the product.
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Frequently asked questions
The skin under your nails, known as the hyponychium, can sometimes overgrow. This can be caused by damage from gel or acrylic nails. It is not recommended to cut or file this skin away as this could introduce an infection. Instead, you can try cutting your nails down short and allowing the skin to heal and shrink on its own. You can also try soaking your nails and then using a cuticle pusher to gently push the skin down.
It is important to keep the skin around your nails clean and moisturised. You should also avoid harsh nail treatments, such as gel and acrylic nails, as well as acetone nail polish removers, as these can strip the top layers of your nails, weakening them.
Hangnails are jagged pieces of skin that jut out from the sides of your fingernails. They are often caused by cracked, brittle skin, which can be prevented by regularly moisturising your hands. To remove hangnails, soak your hands in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes. Apply cuticle oil and massage it into your cuticles. Then, gently push your cuticles back with a cuticle stick before trimming any excess skin with cuticle scissors. Finish by applying moisturiser to your hands, fingers, and cuticles.
