Hang Nails

What is a hangnail?

Even though it’s called a hangnail, that little piece of skin isn’t part of the nail. Instead, it’s a torn piece of skin that hangs loose next to your nails. And it’s rare to have hangnails on your toes, though, it does happen from time to time.

“A hangnail is really short,” says Dr. Vyas. “It’s kind of stiff and it arises from the side of your nail bed.”

Hangnails can be caused by dry air, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers (which we still need to use!) and constant hand washing (which we also still need to do!).

Those with a habit of picking or biting around their nails are likely to get hangnails. Swimming in a chlorinated pool can also cause your skin to dry out and lead to hangnails.

If you enjoy a manicure every now and then, make sure you’re not cutting your cuticles but pushing them back instead. Cutting your cuticles can lead to hangnails and infections.

How to remove a hangnail

Follow these steps to safely remove a hangnail.

1. Wash your hands. Start with a clean slate. “Soften up your hands by putting them in warm, soapy water,” says Dr. Vyas.
2. Moisturize your hands. After drying your hands, Dr. Vyas suggests massaging petroleum jelly or another kind of moisturizer onto your hands, focusing on the hangnail area.  
3. Gently clip the hangnail. Use a pair of sterile nail clippers or cuticle cutters to gently clip the hangnail off, says Dr. Vyas. Try not to press too deep, as that can causing bleeding. If that does happen, apply pressure to the area until the bleeding stops.
4. Moisturize again. You can apply another layer of petroleum jelly or use an antibiotic cream to help protect the hangnail area from infection.

What to avoid doing for a hangnail

You may be tempted for a quick fix, but don’t bite, tear, rip or chew off your hangnail, says Dr. Vyas.

“There’s nerves and blood vessels under the hangnail,” says Dr. Vyas. “So you can cause your own bleeding, infection and pain.”

If your hangnail gets infected, you may experience red, irritated skin around the hangnail area. If the infection spreads or worsens, you may get a fever and chills.