A Hands-On Approach To Remove and Prevent Hangnails

Don’t let its small size fool you: A hangnail can become a major annoyance. 

So, what can you do to take care of a problem that hurts far more than you’d expect for something so tiny? We asked family medicine specialist Neha Vyas, MD, to put a solution at our fingertips.

What is a hangnail?

A hangnail is a piece of dry or damaged skin that sticks up along the edge of a nail. They primarily pop up on your fingers. (While hangnails can appear on toes, it’s far more unusual.)

That small, stiff flap of skin doesn’t seem like much to worry about — right up until you snag it on something. That can tear the skin around your nail and lead to bleeding, swelling and tenderness.

“A torn hangnail can deliver a jolt of pain that feels out of proportion to its size,” says Dr. Vyas. “That’s because the skin around your nails has lots of nerve endings, so even a tiny tear can feel very noticeable.”

What causes hangnails?

Hangnails might seem like they come out of nowhere, but they’re typically tied to the wear and tear of daily life. Common causes of hangnails include:

• Overly dry skin
• Washing or sanitizing your hands a lot
• Exposure to harsh soaps or cleaning products
• Picking or chewing at your nails or cuticles
• An injury near your nail (like a papercut)
• Frequent “wet work” (like washing dishes)
• Swimming, especially in chlorinated pools
• Cold weather and wind

“A hangnail is often the result of many factors working together,” says Dr. Vyas. “It’s usually a byproduct of everyday stresses adding up.”

How to get rid of a hangnail

While it may be tempting, don’t just tear or rip off a hangnail. Biting and chewing aren’t good ideas either.

“Aggressively taking off a hangnail could lead to bleeding, infection and more pain,” cautions Dr. Vyas.

To safely remove a hangnail, grab sterilized nail clippers or cuticle cutters and follow these steps.

1. Wash your hands. Start with a “clean slate” to reduce your risk of a potential infection.
2. Soak the finger. Dip the finger (or hand) with the hangnail in warm water for a few minutes. This will soften the stiff flap of skin, making it less likely to tear during removal. Moisturizing after drying off may help, too.
3. Gently clip the hangnail. Using your clippers, carefully trim the hangnail as close to its base as possible. Try not to press too deeply to avoid cutting your skin. Don’t pull or tug to remove the hangnail either.
4. Go into protection mode. Apply an antibiotic ointment or moisturizer afterward to seal, soothe and protect your skin. Covering the area with a small bandage can offer an additional safeguard.

A hangnail usually doesn’t require a visit to a healthcare provider, but Dr. Vyas says you may want to check in with them if:

• You have diabetes, which can increase infection risk and complicate the healing process
• You have a medical condition that causes you to bleed a lot
• The hangnail doesn’t heal on its own within a week or shows signs of infection

Tips to prevent hangnails

You can keep hangnails from popping up by pampering your hands and taking a few precautions. Dr. Vyas offers these suggestions to prevent hangnails from forming.

• Moisturize your hands. Moisturizing helps prevent dryness and cracking that can lead to hangnails. It’s especially important after handwashing, which can strip away natural oils.
• Wear gloves for chores. Covering your hands provides protection against harsh cleaning chemicals and prolonged water exposure that can dry out and irritate your skin.
• Try not to bite or pick at your nails. Chewing your nails and related habits can tear the skin around the nails and leave hangnails behind.
• Protect against the cold. Cold, dry air can make the skin around your nails more brittle. A pair of gloves can limit moisture loss. (A bonus? They’ll keep your fingers toasty, too!)
• Choose gentle soaps. Mild cleansers are less likely to dry out the skin around your nails than harsh soaps or sanitizers.
• Avoid using strong nail polish removers. Try using a non-acetone nail polish remover, as acetone-containing products can dry out the skin around your fingernails.
• Be gentle with cuticle care. Cutting or aggressively pushing back your cuticles can damage the skin around the nail and cause hangnails.

“Hangnail prevention often comes down to looking at your everyday habits,” says Dr. Vyas. “A few simple adjustments to how you care for your hands and nails can really reduce the chances of them showing up.”