Hangnail
| Hangnail | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Agnail, Stepmother's blessing |
 | |
| The bottom finger has a hangnail. | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
A hangnail is a small, torn piece of skin or nail next to a fingernail or toenail.[1] Hangnails are typically caused by having dry skin, trauma to the fingers, or ingrown nails.[1]
Complications
[edit]Hangnails can become infected and cause paronychia, a type of skin infection that causes inflammation around the nails. [2] Hangnails may also cause pain if pulled as they may remain attached to living skin.
Prevention
[edit]Daily use of hand lotion (or hand cream) or cuticle oil may help prevent the formation of hangnails.[3][4]
Treatment
[edit]For home treatment, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends clipping the loose piece of skin with a clean nail clipper or nail scissors, and applying over-the-counter antibiotic ointment if the area appears inflamed. Persistent hangnails should be evaluated by a physician.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Helgas, Eric (March 13, 2024). "What's the Best Way to Get Rid of a Hangnail?". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
These pesky skin tears can be a huge pain. Here's what to do if you get one, and how to prevent hangnails in the first place.
- ^ Paronychia, MedLine Plus
- ^ Treating a Hangnail - Topic Overview, WebMD
- ^ Thomas P. Habif; M. Shane Chapman; James G. H. Dinulos; Kathryn A. Zug (4 September 2017). Skin Disease E-Book: Diagnosis and Treatment. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 978-0-323-44223-7.
- ^ Hangnails Archived 2015-09-06 at the Wayback Machine, American Academy of Dermatology
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