Help for Hangnails

Hangnails don't just make fingernails look unkempt; if they're torn, they can get infected. Proper care of your hands and nails can help prevent these nail problems, and simple solutions can help them heal.

Hangnails are those little pieces of skin that come loose from the base or side of a fingernail. They're annoying because they tend to get snagged on your clothing, pieces of paper, your hair - just about anything you touch. Not only does this hurt, it can make the hangnails tear and bleed, which can lead to an infection in the tissue surrounding the nail.

You can place most of the blame for these nail problems on dry cuticles (cuticles are the area of the skin around the nails). When cuticles become dry, they start to pull away from the nail. Hangnails are also more likely to be a problem if you bite your fingernails or cuticles.

Preventing Hangnails

If you're prone to hangnails, try these tips for keeping them at bay:

• Soak your fingertips in warm water with bath oil for 15 minutes a day.
• Apply hand cream to your hands, taking extra time to rub it into your fingernails, cuticles, and the skin around your nails. Do this at least twice a day, after washing your hands or bathing.
• Try using cuticle oil on your fingernails and cuticles. Made specifically for keeping cuticle skin from drying out, this type of moisturizer is available at drugstores and beauty supply stores. Some people also swear by rubbing olive oil or other vegetables oils into their cuticles.
• Deep moisturize before you go to bed. Massage a heavy cream or petroleum jelly into your nails and cuticles at night; for extra TLC, don cotton gloves before drifting off to dreamland.
• Manicure with care. Instead of cutting your cuticles, rub moisturizer into them, then use a cuticle tool to gently push them back.
• Fight the urge to pick at or bite your fingernails or cuticles. These habits can cause cuts as well as hangnails. Try putting your hands in your pockets instead of in your mouth.

Rx for Hangnails

You can't always avoid hangnails, but with the right remedies, you can usually help them heal quickly. Start by trimming a hangnail as soon as you notice it. First, soak the affected fingertip in water for five minutes to soften the tissue. Then clip the hangnail short, using a pair of sharp manicure scissors or nail clippers that you've swabbed with alcohol. Some people put vitamin E oil on hangnails to speed healing.

You can help protect them from infection by wearing rubber gloves when doing dishes or using cleaning products. If the skin around a hangnail becomes red or swollen, wash it carefully with soap and water, apply an over-the-counter antibiotic cream, and cover it with a bandage. If the area is still red and tender after a few days or if redness spreads, call your doctor. You may need prescription antibiotics.

Want beautiful hands that are hangnail free? Keep them clean and moisturized right down to your fingertips, and they'll stay soft, supple, and healthy-looking.