How to Get Rid of Annoying, Painful Hangnails on Fingers

Keep hangnails in check by pampering your hands.

Hangnails on fingers can be very painful and annoying, especially when you accidentally catch the skin on something. People who have dry skin tend to get hangnails often, as do those who bite the edges of the skin around their nails. Keep your hands looking nice and healthy by taking care of hangnails properly.

Things You'll Need

• Lemon
• Moisturizing liquid soap
• Nail clippers or scissors
• Liquid bandage
• Lotion
• Cotton gloves

Instructions

1. Soak your fingertips for 10 to 15 minutes in a little bowl of lukewarm water, a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon and a soft, moisturizing hand soap. Pat your hands dry with a clean, soft towel.

2. Clip the hangnail off gently with nail clippers or petite nail scissors. Freshly soaked hands are soft enough that you can cut the hangnail without pulling the skin. Don't cut too much off and cause bleeding.

3. Seal the hangnail wound with a liquid bandage to protect it from infection and help it heal faster.

4. Soften cuticles at bedtime as often as possible. Smooth on a thick moisturizing cream and cover your hands with cotton gloves. This keeps the skin moisturized and soft and helps prevent hangnails.

Tips & Warnings

• Cover hangnails with an adhesive bandage until you can treat them properly.

• Never tear the skin of hangnails as this can cause infection and bleeding...always trim hangnails with nail scissors or clippers.