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,...
A hangnail often makes its presence known when you snag it on a sofa or your clothing and it hurts. Hangnails are bits of dead skin that occur when the surrounding skin, referred to as the cuticle, dries out. Hangnails may also result from nail...
Ingrown nails and hangnails are conditions that can cause pain and irritation around the affected nail. An ingrown nail occurs when the nail grows into the surrounding skin and is most common on the toenails. A hangnail occurs when excess skin...
Cracked hands and hangnails can be an intensely irritating problem, snagging fabric and scraping your loved ones while causing itching and pain for you. Both problems spring from dry, dead skin that doesn't receive enough natural oil. This problem...
Having loose skin on your finger can be a real pain. Hangnails especially can cause discomfort and can become a real distraction. Taking care of your skin is the best way to prevent a hangnail from coming to fruition, but manicures cost money and...
More than any other body part, fingers take the brunt of daily activities. The longest fingers on each hand are at the most risk for injury, but all of fingertips contain sensitive nerve endings that can make a tear painful or annoying. Whether...
Nail cuticle infections are often caused by bacteria, yeast or fungus. The medical term for an infection around the base of the nail is paronychia. Symptoms include redness, swelling and tenderness at the base of the nail, often the cuticle. The...
Your red and swollen fingernail may be caused by an infection or an injury. If you have an infection, you may have an ingrown nail. Other causes of fingernail infection include exposure to irritants, nail-biting or a torn-off hangnail. Treat your...
Your fingernails are composed of hardened layers of protein that grow from the base of your fingernail. As an extension of your skin, your fingernails can be subject to abnormalities and injuries--and dryness that makes your nails brittle and...
According to the Harvard Medical School, a number of factors affect healthy nail growth. While an adult's fingernails grow an average one-tenth of an inch per month, for example, children's fingernails grow faster than adult nails and the growth...
Healthy finger and toe nails hint at good personal hygiene. Maintaining a healthy diet is the easiest way to keep your nails healthy; it also helps if you avoid using your nails to pick or pry at things. But odd colors and shapes, dents,...
Paronychia, a bacterial, fungal or yeast infection of the skin around the fingernail or toenail, occurs when the area is damaged by a manicure, biting the nails or trimming a hangnail, according to Drugs.com. High-risk individuals include...
To help promote fingernail health, strength and growth, modify your diet to include specific nutritional supplements, such as vitamins B-12, H and C and zinc. These supplements work to keep your fingernails healthy and ensure that they grow...
A finger wart is a type of benign skin growth caused by a viral infection in the epidermis (the top layer of the skin). Because warts feed off the underlying blood vessels, if you can damage them or kill them the wart will die and eventually fall...
In ancient China, it was sign of wealth and importance to grow your fingernails as long as possible. They served as proof that you didn't have to work for a living. Though you may not desire inordinately long nails, you might wish they'd grow a...
Having a wart is no fun for anyone. Warts are usually harmless and often disappear on their own, according to MayoClinic.com. But if you find a wart unattractive or embarrassing, you may want to remove it. Medical treatments for wart removal...
Braids can be a godsend for people who pursue an active lifestyle. They also can perk up a long hairstyle or provide a complete style by hanging solo down the back or in pigtails. Braids can be incorporated into formal up-do styles and come in a...
Healthy nails feel smooth and have an even color, whether they're on your hands or your feet. Because your hands and feet do a lot of work every day, it's easy to damage your nails. If you notice peeling or pitting on your nails, yellowish...
Looking at your fingernails can tell you a lot about the nutrients that you are or are not getting. A lack of certain vitamins and minerals can cause conditions such as dry, brittle nails, hangnails and fingernails that break easily. By increasing...
Strong, healthy fingernails are more than just an aesthetic pleasure--they are also an indicator of your health and nutritional status. If your nails are weak, peeling or brittle, or if they have unsightly ridges or spots, it is likely that your...
The nails on your fingers and toes play an important role in protecting the sensitive skin of your nail plate. The cuticle is also plays an role by sealing the nail bed off from bacterial and fungal infections. Both structures are a common target...
If you've always dreamed of long nails, you don't have to settle for artificial ones. Strengthen your weak, brittle nails by restoring their natural moisture. If it's alright with your doctor, you can take vitamin supplements to help your nails...
Biting your nails and picking at your cuticles won't cause permanent damage to your nails, says Mayo Clinic dermatologist Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D., but it's not exactly hygienic. Biting your nails and cuticles exposes you to bacterial infections...
Vitamins are essential to keep your body organs functioning and your skin looking its best. They can do the same for your fingernails. Nails area good indication of overall health so major changes in your nails can be a signal that your body needs...
Natural, beautiful nails are not only desirable but are also a sign of healthy nails. When you gesture with your hands, other people notice whether you nails are neat and well-cared for. The Mayo Clinic says that healthy nails should be smooth,...
Bone and nail strength are an indication of overall good health. Nails with ridges, dents or unusual colors often send a signal that a person is suffering from another illness. If someone is concerned about the health of their nails, steps can be...
Well-manicured hands are part of a good grooming regimen. Cuticles can dry, crack and split, the result of harsh weather and drying dish soaps. Daily care with cuticle oil can help restore the delicate area of the cuticle back to health. Some...
Some people are lucky enough to be born with strong, healthy nails, while others will struggle constantly with fragile nails that are easily chipped and broken. The goal is to develop healthy fingernails that are firm, pink and somewhat glossy,...
