Home remedies for hangnails

Hangnail means, it is formation of a small pieces of skin that comes up or tears away from your finger just by nail bed. It is that small, tiny skin that can be quite painful and sometimes bleeds especially when there are many hangnails.

Why hangnail happens?

Hangnails are not part of nail. These are skin cells that form projections near bed of nail, separated from surface of skin but remains attached at the base. People who have dry skin get hangnail often. Hangnails can occur when a person has habit of biting nails or due to dry skin.

Other reasons for hangnails formation:

Not keeping fingers and nails moisturized
Not using gloves during cold weather
Using harsh detergent or dish soap
Not taking care of cuticles in fingernails
Not cleaning and taking care of nails
For hurting cuticle near nails
Bad manicure
Waterlogged condition of nails like staying in swimming pool for longtime or washing clothes, dishes for longtime

Stop picking hangnail!

If you get hangnail, never attempt to pick or remove hangnail. Because, the tissues beneath the hangnails gets inflamed. The blood vessels and nerve ending in the area that are sensitive will get hurt and one will feel the pain and moreover skin can get infected. In case you get hangnail carefully remove with following methods-

Soften the fingertips by soaking in warm water and olive oil and then using fine scissor cut the hangnail. Use moisturizer and massage the skin after cutting hangnail or use a bandage and cover it.
Another way is to use fine clippers and cut the hangnails without harming the skin. Then apply moisturizer or put bandage on it.
Apply petroleum jelly around the hangnail and leave it for few minutes. It will get softened. Use a nail clipper to cut off the hangnail.

If the hangnail is inflamed, then use antibiotic or apply turmeric to reduce pain.

Symptoms of infected hangnails:

Red spots, inflammation, pain, torn skin and warm feeling in finger.

Home remedies of hangnails

Petroleum jelly: Applying petroleum jelly or lip balm before going to bed on fingernails helps. This will moisturize the fingers throughout the night and you will feel better in the morning.
Oatmeal scrub: Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliator and helps to soften the skin. Mix oatmeal in warm water and apply on hand at night. It makes hand soft and give moisturizing effect.
Honey: Honey has antibacterial property and is also anti-inflammatory. It prevents infections. Apply honey on affected nail throughout the day. It protects skin by softening it and reduces hangnail formation
Vitamin E oil: Vitamin E oil application on affected are few times a day helps to reduce hangnail. Mix vitamin E with your choice of oil like coconut, castor or olive oil and apply on fingernails. Slowly gave massage for all fingers.
Almond oil and honey: Almond oil is great for skin. Mix almond oil and honey in equal proportion and, apply on affected fingers. Do this treatment before going to bed to get full benefit.
Aloe vera gel: Aloe vera is great for skin and skin friendly herb. Mix Aloe vera gel and turmeric to form pasted. Apply on hangnail area, leave it for few minutes. Wash using normal water and apply olive oil.
Avocado: Mash avocado and mix with olive oil or coconut oil. Apply this mix during night before going to bed. Do this treatment few times a week.
Yogurt, honey and turmeric: Mix fine turmeric powder, honey and yogurt. Apply this on fingers and hangnails. This is a great skin pack that is great remedy for dry skin.
Aloe vera mix: To 1/2 tsp Aloe vera gel, add ½ tsp castor oil or coconut oil, one vitamin E capsule. Mix well and apply this mix on your nails. Leave it overnight to get clean, soft skin. Repeat this treatment 2-3 times a week.
Take care of cuticle: Do not damage cuticle in fingers. Use proper manicure methods or use petroleum jelly, Vitamin E oil or Aloe vera gel with honey to give a massage. This keeps cuticle intact by protecting it from drying and cracking.