Hangnail

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

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

Daily use of hand lotion (or hand cream) or cuticle oil may help prevent the formation of hangnails.^[3]^[4]

Treatment

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

^ ^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