Hangnails prove to be a potentially painful problem in many individuals. Skin splits from the nail, and hangs away from the surrounding skin. This poses a risk of skin tears and infection when left untreated. Never pull the skin from your finger, as this can cause bleeding and pain at the hangnail site. Protecting your affected finger and treating hangnails as they occur saves you time and discomfort.
Step 1
Soak your nail in warm water to soften the hanging skin piece. According to "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies," treating a dry hangnail will cause further damage to the attached skin. Bath oil or olive oil may also be used to help soften the skin.
Step 2
Wipe a sharpened pair of nail scissors with alcohol to remove any bacteria and allow to dry. Once dried, clip your hangnail without removing too much of the skin. According to CareFair.com, removing too much skin opens you up to infection.
Step 3
Apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the freshly clipped skin, recommends "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies." Antibiotic ointments will prevent bacteria from settling into the skin and causing infection. Apply a disposable bandage over the ointment to keep your finger further protected.
Step 4
Massage your hands and nails with hand cream frequently throughout the day. According to CareFair.com, keeping your hands and nails moisturized helps heal the affected skin and also prevents further hangnail formation.
Things You'll Need
- Warm water
- Nail scissors
- Alcohol
- Antibacterial ointment
- Bandage
- Hand cream
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