Hangnails are not just annoying, they can also be painful. They're the little white bits of skin that hang over the edge of your nail bed and they can tear when you pick at them. They're most common on your fingers, but they can also appear on your toes. Hangnails typically occur as a result of dryness in the surrounding skin or because you've been biting your nails (which is why it's called a 'hang') – and I am guilty as charged. But what causes them and how to treat them?
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What causes hangnails?
There are several causes of hangnails, butthe most common is a tear or cut in the skin around your nails. If you have a habit of picking at your cuticles, then this can cause tears in the skin that may eventually lead to a hangnail.
Another common cause is moisture deficiency in your hands according to Healthline. If you wash your hands constantly throughout the day and don't moisturize often enough, they'll start to dry out quickly and become thin and weak—making it more likely for them to rip or split open when stressed.
How can I treat and prevent hangnails?
Hangnails are a common condition that most people experience at some point in their lives. If you’ve had them before, then you know how frustrating it can be when they pop up again. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat and prevent hangnails from coming back once they’re gone.
According to Cleveland Clinic, keep your hands moisturized with petroleum jelly or other moisturizers, as it can help prevent dry skin around the nails that make them more susceptible to hangnails or other issues – and after you’re done moisturizing, moisturize them again! That’s the golden rule, especially during colder months.
Moreover, even if you’re careful about all of these things and still get a hangnail from time to time, don’t bite or tear at it! This will only make things worse by opening up the skin even more and making it easier for bacteria to get inside. If this does happen though—and we know it will—use a sterile nail clipper to gently clip the hangnails off.
Sources used:
Healthline: Hangnails
Cleveland Clinic: How to Get Rid of Hangnails
