Dealing with hangnails? Find out what causes these annoying skin flaps around your nails and get simple home treatment tips, including vitamin E oil and other natural remedies, to soothe and heal.
Okay, so you’ve noticed those pesky little skin flaps around your nails? Hangnails are super annoying, aren’t they? They seem small but, oh boy, can they hurt!
We’ll explore this common nuisance, including what they are, what causes them and how to treat them at home.
- What Is a Hangnail?
- Causes of Hangnails
- Hangnail Infection
- Hangnail Infection Treatment
- Home Remedies for Hangnail Treatment
- Natural Remedies for Hangnail Treatment
Even though they might seem minor, understanding hangnails, treating them properly and preventing them can save us a lot of discomfort. So let’s jump in!
What Is a Hangnail?
So, like, how often do we find ourselves wincing because of a little pain around our fingernails? Pretty often, right? And sometimes it turns into a spot that’s asking for trouble, maybe getting infected or just being sore. Ever been there? We’ve noticed redness and swelling around our nails, which can totally point to a hangnail gone rogue!
Basically, a hangnail is a small piece of skin that’s hanging loose near your fingernail. It looks like a tiny, jagged tag of skin. We kinda wanna pull it off, but that’s usually a bad idea. Trust us; we’ve learned that the hard way!
Usually, hangnails pop up around our fingernails, but sometimes they show up on our toes too. They don’t really discriminate but, they’re more common on our hands.
Most people deal with this problem, and it’s often because of dry skin, especially in the winter. Like when we’re constantly washing our hands or using hand sanitizer.
And here’s the thing: if a hangnail gets infected, it can become a real pain, like seriously.
Causes of Hangnails
Taking care of our nails regularly can keep them healthy, which helps stop hangnails from showing up. But what exactly brings these little buggers on? Well, it’s often just paronychia (an infection around the nail) and pus around the nail area.
Here are some of the main reasons we get hangnails:
- Redness around the nail.
- Pain and swelling in that area.
- Tenderness.
- Pus-filled blisters near the affected area.
Getting an infection can change the color of your nail, and dealing with it might mean using antibiotics or, in more serious cases, needing it drained by a doctor.
Bacterial or Fungal Infections
If a bacterial infection is the culprit, the symptoms show up pretty fast. Now, if it’s fungal, you might see some gradual changes. What’s wild is that fungal infections are often more common in people who have diabetes or spend lots of time with their hands in water.
Speaking of water, did you know that prolonged exposure to moisture can also make our nails more prone to brittleness? This might not directly cause hangnails, but it certainly weakens the nail structure, increasing the likelihood of skin tearing around the nail bed. So, remember to moisturize after washing your hands, use protective gloves when doing dishes, and consider a nail strengthener to reinforce those tips.
Hangnail Infection
Moderate to severe hangnail infections might need a bit more than just home care. But there are ways to keep things in check by sticking to some at-home treatments, like:
- Soak the affected finger, or toe, in warm water two or three times a day for about 20 minutes.
- Trim the hangnail. This prevents accidental ripping, which can make infections more likely. So, we gotta be careful to only cut the extra skin that’s already loose.
- Apply vitamin E oil or a cream with vitamin E to the area, doing this will help moisturize it.
- Use a moisturizing cream for a few days after applying any oils to avoid drying the area. It’s a good idea if a doctor recommends it.
Hangnail Infection Treatment
Here’s how we can treat them at home:
1. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is one of the best things for hangnails. It helps soften and moisturize the skin around your nails, which is why it’s a great addition to our routine. Applying it regularly can help fix damaged skin. To use the oil, try these tips:
- Put vitamin E oil on the hangnail and leave it on until it’s fully absorbed.
- Mix vitamin E oil with olive oil and put it on the area every day.
- Use a bit of vitamin E oil after clipping your nails to prevent hangnails.
2. Honey
Honey is a great way to deal with hangnails because it helps keep your hands moisturized. Honey can work wonders, and it also helps fight off bacteria and infections. So to use honey:
- Put honey on the hangnail every day and leave it for a few hours.
- Use honey daily to help with hangnails.
3. Avocado
Avocados are full of vitamin E and healthy fats, which are great for skin health. Applying avocado to hangnails can help moisturize and heal them. When using avocado on hangnails, follow these steps:
- Mash an avocado.
- Mix the mashed avocado with a couple of drops of coconut oil.
- Put the mix on your nails before bed.
- Do this 3-4 times a week.
4. Almonds
Almonds are packed with vitamin E, which helps heal hangnails. Plus, they have healthy fats that reduce swelling. To use almonds on hangnails, try this:
- Soak a handful of almonds in water overnight.
- Grind the almonds in the morning.
- Add a little bit of honey to the ground almonds.
- Put the mixture on the hangnails, then rinse it off after a bit.
- Leave it on overnight, and wash it off in the morning.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has moisturizing and soothing properties that can help heal skin. Its mix with turmeric can fight off infections in the hangnail area. To use aloe vera on hangnails, here’s what to do:
- Spread some fresh aloe vera gel on the hangnail and leave it for as long as possible.
- Add a bit of turmeric to a small amount of aloe vera gel, then put the mix on the affected area and leave it for 30 minutes.
Key takeaways
- Hangnails can be a nuisance, but maintaining healthy nails and skin can prevent them.
- Simple home remedies like Vitamin E oil, honey, avocado, almonds, or aloe vera can effectively treat hangnails and promote healing.
- Properly trimming hangnails with clean tools is crucial to avoid infections.
FAQ, Myth & Facts
Are hangnails caused by a lack of vitamins?
While vitamin deficiencies can affect overall skin health, hangnails are more commonly caused by dryness, trauma, or habits like nail-biting.
Is it safe to pull off a hangnail if it’s bothering me?
No, pulling a hangnail can tear live skin and increase the risk of infection. Always trim them carefully with a clean clipper.
Does applying cuticle oil prevent hangnails?
Yes, regular application of cuticle oil keeps the skin around your nails moisturized and less prone to tearing, reducing the likelihood of hangnails.
Testimonials
I used to get hangnails all the time, and they were so painful! I started using cuticle oil every night before bed, and it’s made a huge difference. My nails are healthier, and I barely get hangnails anymore. It’s such a simple thing, but it’s really helped.
I always thought hangnails were just something I had to deal with, but then I learned about the importance of keeping my hands moisturized. Now I keep a small tube of hand cream in my purse and apply it whenever my hands feel dry. It’s amazing how much better my nails look and feel!
I was a nail biter for years, and my nails were always a mess. I finally managed to quit, but I was still getting hangnails all the time. My dermatologist recommended using a nail strengthener and being really careful when trimming my nails. It took some time, but my nails are finally healthy and strong.
So, next time we spot one of those annoying hangnails, we’re grabbing our vitamin E oil and giving our nails a little TLC. Remember, a little attention can save us from a whole lot of pain and trouble!
