You also can prevent hangnails with good nail hygiene and reduce how often you get them.
Never pull or at or bite off a hangnail.
This may cause the skin to rip and become infected.
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health
What Is a Hangnail?
Hangnail vs. Ingrown Nail
A hangnail is not the same as aningrown nail.
A hangnail shows up when small portions of skin get a tear near the cuticle of a fingernail.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023
An ingrown nail commonly appears on the toes.
Infection comes up whenever bacteria or fungus get under the skin.
Bacterial infections can produce symptoms almost immediately, whilefungal infectionsmay take longer to appear.
ThamKC / Getty Images
What Is Paronychia?
It can occur in adults and children, but typically it is not serious.
There are two kinds of paronychia:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Photographer, Basak Gurbuz Derman / Getty Images
If you have an infected hangnail, do not attempt to bite, rip, or pull it off.
If you do, you may pull off additional skin that will open more inner skin layers to bacteria.
This can also aggravate the hangnail area and cause it to become red and slightly inflamed.
Instead, use the following effective ways to prevent infection and irritation from hangnails.
Warm water can also soothe any discomfort in the infected area.
Trim the Hangnail With Cuticle Clippers
Sterilize cuticle clippers or small scissors with rubbing alcohol.
RICE Method
The acronym RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
This can be an effective way to relieve a hangnail.
This might help prevent more hangnails from developing.
Should you use hydrogen peroxide on an infected hangnail?
Avoid usinghydrogen peroxideto clean an infected hangnail.
It can actually harm healthy cells on your skin, which can delay healing.
However, talk to a doctor if your hangnail does not heal after about a week of treatment.
Do not attempt to drain the hangnail by yourself, as you may increase the risk of further infection.
Preventing Hangnails and Infection
Hangnails are easy to prevent.
In rare cases, it may also cause a systemic infection that spreads to other parts of the body.
Some health conditions may pose a risk for chronic paronychia.
They include diabetes and beingimmunocompromised(having a weakened immune system).
Fungal Infections
A hangnail can become infected if exposed to bacteria or fungus.
Coping With Hangnails
While hangnails are common, they are easily to manage.
They usually go away after a few days as long as you dont pick or pull at the skin.
Summary
Hangnails are common, easy to care for, and will often heal without complication.
Hangnails may be prevented by keeping the skin hydrated.
This includes applying petroleum jelly or good-quality moisturizers to the affected area.
If you develop a hangnail, avoid ripping or pulling it off because that increases the risk of infection.
Seek medical attention if your infected hangnail does not improve or becomes worse.
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American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Green nail syndrome.
