Hangnails are parts of the skin that become torn and dried. These are located between the fingers and nail. In this condition, small pieces of skin keep on hanging on the sides of nails. Dry skin, nail biting and peeling away the skin are some of the causes that lead to hangnails. These hangnails can be painful and may cause infection when exposed to different substances like water.
Moisture can also cause fungal infection. Hangnails can also appear in toenails. These cause irritation as well as pain. It can occur to both men as well as women. Even children can also face this problem. Natural cures can be helpful in the treatment of hangnails effectively.
10 Top Natural Cures For Hangnails
Trim Nails & Petroleum Jelly
Trimming nails is one of the natural cures that would help the patients suffering from hangnails. One should maintain one’s hands as well as toes to prevent dirt and dryness from getting accumulated. Trimming can help in preventing further infection. Fungus can easily cause infection if nails are not properly cleaned and maintained.
Petroleum jelly is beneficial for the patients suffering from hangnails. It has moisturizing properties beneficial for the nails. It creates a layer over the skin that prevents it from drying out. Fats present in petroleum jelly get penetrated in the skin.
Keep Cleanliness & Avoid Excessive Washing
Cleanliness or hygiene is important for the treatment of hangnails. One should keep the nail beds clean, moisturized and dry. Manicure and pedicure regularly on weekly basis would help in preventing infection. One can use creams, natural oils and lotions that can be applied on a daily basis for moisturizing and cleansing the nails.
Patients suffering from hangnails should avoid washing hands excessively. Moisturizing in excessive amount and washing hands frequently would lead to weakness in the nail beds. This makes the nails more sensitive when exposed to water.
Avoid Biting Nails
Biting nails would not be beneficial for the patients suffering from hangnails. Hangnails are more likely to occur to those who bite nails as this leads to infection caused due to fungus. This causes irritation and inflammation to the surrounding of nails. It prevents moisturizing and dryness of the infected skin.
Another habit to avoid is the use of acetone based nail polish remover. Patients of hangnails should not use acetone based nail polish remover as it can dry out the nails as well as hands. This also makes the nails very sensitive.
Vitamin E & Cuticle Oil
Vitamin E is useful for the patients suffering from hangnails. Vitamin E oil has a number of beneficial properties and can be used for treating hangnails as well. It is a good natural cure to properly heal the infected nails. It also helps in preventing hangnails to appear in the future. Just apply vitamin E oil over the nail beds for effective use.
Cuticle oil is helpful for the treatment of hangnails. It helps in keeping the nail beds moisturized. Application of cuticle oil or a cream on the affected area would be beneficial. Dry nails are the main causes behind hangnails.
Nail Scissor
Use a nail scissor to cut off the hangnails. It can be done when the hangnails are small and do not cause much discomfort. Using scissor, one can easily snip off the cuticles. It should be done as soon as it is appeared on the nail beds. This natural cure helps in preventing their growth in the future. It also prevents the pain caused due to longer hangnails.
Lip Balm
Lip balm is useful in the treatment of hangnails. Application of lip balm over the affected area would be beneficial. Massage this lip balm over the nail beds. This natural cure helps in keeping the nails moisturized and protected. Apply this balm in the night and keep as such for the whole night. Night is the best time to apply the balm.
Water
Soaking the fingernails in water for some time would provide relief to the patients suffering from hangnails. One can use warm water for this purpose that would provide relief to the affected nails. Water can be used in combination with oil.
Prepare a mixture of oil and water. Dip the fingers in it for some time. This natural cure helps in making the nails soft. Snipping the hangnails afterwards using a sterilized scissor is recommended.
Alcohol & Almonds
Alcohol is helpful for the patients suffering from hangnails. One can dip the scissor, which is to be used for snipping the hangnails, in alcohol to make it sterile. This would help in preventing infection. One can also use an antiseptic in its place for sterilizing the scissor.
Almonds are beneficial for treating hangnails. This natural remedy is helpful in whitening and soothing the nails. It can be used in place of rosewater to soften the nail grounds. Another way of using almonds is to prepare a paste using egg yolk and almonds.
Take an egg yolk and add moistened almonds in it. Honey and apple cider vinegar can be added in the paste if desired. Application of this mixture on the affected area gently would be beneficial. Wear cotton gloves and leave this mixture for the whole night. Wash off this mixture during the morning.
Oat Meal
Oat meal can be used in the treatment of hangnails. Scrub can be prepared using oatmeal that would help in soothing and softening the hangnails. This natural cure helps in removing the dead layer of skin from hands as well as nails.
Take one cup of oats in a blender and pour this powdered form in a bowl. Dip the hands in the bowl and rub palm as well as hands with it. Wash the hands afterwards and let them dry. Apply a moisturizing cream afterwards to get relief.
Warm Oil
Warm oil can be massaged over the infected area for getting relief from hangnails. To prepare this message oil, take one and a half ounces of olive oil and mix it with twenty five drops of essential oil like chamomile, lavender etc. Add vitamin E capsule in it. Massaging this oil over the affected area would be beneficial. Keep as such for overnight.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
