Treating a Hangnail

Topic Overview

A hangnail is the strip of skin that separates from the side of the cuticle. Simple home treatment can help prevent problems with hangnails.

Do not pull at or bite off a hangnail. This may cause the skin to rip.
Clip off the hangnail neatly with sharp, clean cuticle scissors.
Massage hand lotion or cream into your cuticles 2 to 3 times each day.

Related Information

Nail Problems and Injuries

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff

Primary Medical ReviewerWilliam H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine

Specialist Medical ReviewerAdam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

Current as ofOctober 13, 2016

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Related Information

Current as of: October 13, 2016

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine

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