At best, hangnails are annoying. At worst, they’re downright painful. A hangnail is a tiny skin tear adjacent to the cuticle of a fingernail that always seems to catch on something. Needless to say, snagging a hangnail on something hurts. Is there a way to get rid of hangnails – and keep them from coming back?
What Causes Hangnails?
Hangnails are more common in people who work in jobs that expose their hands to water or harsh chemicals. Maids, hairdressers and dishwashers are three groups of people who are prone to hangnails. People who bite their nails also have a higher risk of getting hangnails, because their constant gnawing damages the cuticle. Bad manicures where the cuticle is pushed back too roughly can also cause hangnails to form.
Hangnails are also more likely to become infected in nail biters. The mouth is full of bad bacteria that can nestle into a small skin break like a hangnail. When this happens, a simple hangnail can cause the fingertip to swell and become red and painful. Needless to say, an infected hangnail needs medical attention, especially if it extends into the finger. Hangnails can become so infected that surgery is required to remove the damaged tissue. Fortunately, this isn’t common.
How to Get Rid of Hangnails
What should you do if you have a hangnail? Soak your hands in warm soapy water to clean up the area. Dry your fingers, and use sterile manicure scissors to trim away the skin that’s sticking out. This will reduce the chance of it getting caught on something.
Coat the area with a light coat of antibiotic ointment you’ve purchased from a local pharmacy. Apply a gauze wrap over the finger, and tape it securely to protect the injured area. Change the dressing at least once a day, and apply more antibiotic cream.
Always watch a hangnail for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pain and difficulty moving the finger. See a doctor immediately if any of these signs or symptoms occur.
Preventing Hangnails
Once you get rid of a hangnail, take precautions to keep them from coming back. If you bite your nails, kick the habit. Nail biters have a much greater risk of getting hangnails, and a higher chance of having an infected one. When you expose your hands to water, always wear protective rubber gloves, and apply an unscented hand lotion before and after. Take these measures, and hangnails will be a thing of the past.
References:
Emedicine website. "Paronychia" (accessed November 30, 2010).
Merck Manual. Eighteenth edition. 2006.
Kristie Leong - I'm a family physician interested in all aspects of traditional and alternative medicine, especially the use of nutrition to prevent ...
