Isla Bennett
Hangnails are torn pieces of skin that occur near the cuticle of a fingernail. They are caused by various factors, including dry skin, biting nails, and exposure to harsh chemicals or cold temperatures. While hangnails can be annoying and painful, they usually heal within a week with proper treatment. So, will a hangnail grow out? The answer is no – hangnails don't grow out, but they can be managed and prevented through proper nail care, including moisturization, avoiding nail biting, and regular soaking and trimming of the nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Extra tags of skin that can flake off your nail bed, near your fingernails |
| Cause | Conditions and substances that cause the skin to become irritated and dry, including dry air, harsh soaps, and detergents, swimming in chlorinated pools, and constant hand washing |
| Prevention | Keeping skin moisturized, wearing gloves when washing dishes or gardening, and making simple lifestyle changes |
| Treatment | Soak the affected finger in clean, warm water, gently clip the hangnail with sterile nail clippers, apply antibiotic cream, and moisturize the area |
| Risks | If left untreated, hangnails can lead to infections such as paronychia, abscess formation, or further spreading of the infection |
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What You'll Learn
Hangnail causes
Hangnails are extra tags of skin that can flake off your nail bed, near your fingernails. They are caused by a number of environmental factors or personal habits.
Hangnails are commonly caused by conditions and substances that cause the skin to become irritated and dry. These include dry air, especially during the winter months when the air is cold and dry. Jobs that require frequent handwashing can also lead to an increased risk of hangnails because overwashing dries out your skin. Harsh chemicals, like hand sanitizers, cleaning products, and acetone, can also deplete oil in your skin and contribute to hangnail growth.
Picking at your nails or chewing your nails can lead to unintentional damage to the cuticles, leading to a hangnail. Manicuring or cutting the nail too short, nail biting, and cutting your cuticles can also lead to hangnails and infections. This causes a weaker nail bed, which triggers hangnail growth.
Hangnails can also be caused by a protein deficiency, although this is less likely.
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Hangnail prevention
Hangnails are small, torn pieces of skin that appear at the edge of a fingernail. They are often caused by dry skin, minor cuts, or other trauma to the skin near the nails. While most hangnails are harmless, they can sometimes lead to infections if not properly cared for.
Keep Your Hands and Nails Clean and Moisturized
Dry skin is the leading cause of hangnails, so it is essential to moisturize your hands regularly. Use thick hand creams or ointments, especially after washing your hands. You can also use moisturizing oils on your cuticles. Maintaining clean, dry, and hydrated skin is crucial. Wash your hands and feet with gentle cleansers, ensuring they are thoroughly dried afterward.
Avoid Nail Biting and Picking at Your Cuticles
Nail biting, nail picking, and cutting your cuticles can lead to weaker nail beds and trigger hangnail growth. Instead of biting or picking, gently push back your cuticles with a designated tool and trim any excess skin with sanitized nail clippers.
Wear Gloves When Performing Tasks That Expose Your Hands to Irritants
When washing dishes, gardening, cleaning with harsh chemicals, or going outside in cold weather, wear gloves to protect your hands from irritants that can dry out your skin and increase the likelihood of hangnails.
Drink Plenty of Water and Eat a Well-Balanced Diet
In addition to external care, preventing hangnails also involves internal care. Staying hydrated and consuming nutritious foods can promote healthy skin and nails, reducing the occurrence of hangnails.
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$14.25
Hangnail treatment
Hangnails can be annoying and even painful. While most hangnails are harmless and can be treated at home, they can sometimes lead to infections if not properly cared for.
Soak the affected area
Start by filling a bowl with warm water and, optionally, antibacterial soap, and soak your affected nail for 10 to 15 minutes, 2 to 4 times daily. This will help cleanse the area, increase blood flow, and soothe any discomfort.
Trim the hangnail
After the hangnail is soft from soaking, use sanitized and sterile nail clippers or small scissors to gently trim the hangnail as close to the nail bed as possible. Be careful not to press too deep, as the area underneath the hangnail contains nerves and tiny blood vessels, and cutting too deep can cause bleeding.
Apply moisturizer and ointment
After trimming, use a fragrance-free moisturizing cream or petroleum jelly to keep the skin around your nails moisturized. You can also apply a small amount of antibiotic ointment or cream, such as bacitracin or Neosporin, to the affected area to help protect it from infection.
Bandage if needed
If the area is sore or bleeding, cover it with a bandage to protect it from infection until it heals.
Prevent hangnails
To prevent hangnails, it is important to keep the skin around your nails healthy and hydrated. Moisturize your hands and cuticles daily, especially during the winter months when the air is dry. Avoid biting your nails and cuticles, and wear gloves when washing dishes, house cleaning, gardening, and going outside in cold weather.
If your hangnail is painful or infected, with symptoms such as redness, swelling, or pus, seek medical attention, especially if the infection does not improve or worsens.
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Hangnail cutting
Hangnails are small, but they can be surprisingly annoying and even painful. They are caused by a number of environmental factors or personal habits, including dry air, frequent hand washing, exposure to harsh chemicals, biting nails, and picking at cuticles. While most hangnails are harmless and can be treated at home, they can sometimes lead to infections if not properly cared for.
To cut a hangnail safely, use clean and sterilized fingernail clippers or small scissors to cut the hangnail as close to the nail bed as possible. Be careful not to cut off any extra skin at the base that isn't already hanging off, as this can cause bleeding and increase the risk of infection. After cutting the hangnail, you can apply a topical antibacterial ointment, such as Neosporin, every day while the base heals over the next 5-7 days. This will help to prevent infection and promote healing.
If your hangnail is painful or infected, you can soak the affected nail in warm water and antibacterial soap for 15 minutes, up to four times a day. This will cleanse the area, increase blood flow, and soothe any discomfort. After soaking, gently pat the area dry before applying any ointments or creams.
In addition to cutting the hangnail and soaking the nail, you can also take steps to prevent hangnails from forming in the first place. This includes maintaining good nail hygiene by washing your hands regularly, moisturizing your hands and nails with fragrance-free cream, especially during dry winter months, and wearing gloves when washing dishes, gardening, or spending time outdoors in cold weather.
If your hangnail does not heal after about a week of treatment, or if you notice signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or pus, it is important to talk to your doctor or a healthcare provider for further guidance and treatment options.
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Hangnail infections
Hangnails are small pieces of torn skin near the root of the nail that appear jagged. They are generally found on the fingers and are caused by dry skin, nail biting, nail cutting, and cuticle manipulation. Hangnails can become infected when bacteria or fungi get under the skin. Bacterial infections can produce symptoms almost immediately, while fungal infections may take longer to appear.
Infected hangnails can be treated at home with warm water soaks, antibacterial soap, and antibiotic cream. It is important to not rip, bite, or pull off the hangnail as this may cause bleeding, increase pain, and open more inner skin layers to bacteria. Instead, use cuticle clippers or small scissors sterilized with rubbing alcohol to trim the hangnail after it has been soaked and softened.
If the infection worsens or does not clear within a week, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Signs of worsening infection include severe pain, major swelling, excessive pus, or other signs of infection. A prolonged infection may result in a discolored nail or an infection that spreads to other parts of the body.
To prevent hangnails, it is important to maintain good nail hygiene by keeping the nails and skin moisturized, especially in dry conditions such as winter or after prolonged exposure to water. Avoiding nail biting, cuticle manipulation, and cutting the nail too short can also help prevent hangnails and subsequent infections.
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Frequently asked questions
Wash your hands, then soak the affected finger in clean, warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Gently clip the hangnail with sterile nail clippers, nail scissors or cuticle cutters, being careful not to cut too deep. Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment to the area.
Hangnails are caused by a variety of environmental factors and personal habits. These include biting your nails, a bad manicure, dry skin, using harsh soap and detergents, cold temperatures, swimming in chlorinated pools and 'waterlogged' hands from too much time in the pool.
Preventing hangnails involves keeping your skin moisturised and making simple lifestyle changes. Wear gloves when washing dishes, house cleaning and gardening, and when going outside in cold weather. Avoid using harsh soaps and detergents like acetone. Drink lots of water and eat a well-balanced diet.
Yes, hangnails can become infected. Infections near fingernails are called paronychia and can be painful. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, tenderness and the presence of pus. If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor.
