Hangnail and its mysteries

What's a Hangnail?

A hangnail is a piece of skin near the root of the nail that appears jagged and torn. Hangnails generally appear on the fingers and not on the toes, though it's possible to have one around a toenail.

A hangnail isn't the same condition as an infected or ingrown nail.

What is the cause of hangnails?

Hangnails occur when small portions of skin get a tear near the cuticle. They can result from a variety of things, like biting your nails, a bad manicure, dry skin, using harsh soap and detergents, cold temperatures, and 'waterlogged' hands. (Like when you're in the pool too long.)

What happens if you pull a hangnail?

If you get a hangnail, you should not attempt to rip or pull it off. If you pull on it, you may pull off additional skin that will open more inner skin layers to bacteria. This can also aggravate the hangnail area, which can cause it to become red and slightly inflamed.

Why are hangnails so painful?

The reason they hurt so badly simply comes down to their location. "Hangnails are usually at the end of a digit near the nail.

How do I get rid of a hangnail?

Soften the hangnail with warm/soapy water. You can also apply mineral oil or petroleum jelly very gently to the area in a circular motion. Give the hangnail around 10 minutes to soften. Use a sanitized nail clipper or cuticle scissor to cut off the hangnail.

Are hangnails a sign of vitamin deficiency?

If you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, it can show up as dry, cracked, brittle, and irregularly shaped nails.

A diet lacking in calcium contributes to dry, brittle nails.

A lack of folic acid and vitamin C can lead to hangnails.

Why do they call it a hangnail?

Hangnail is altered by folk etymology from angnail or agnail, which originally did not correspond to what we now know as “hangnail.” In Old English angnægl meant “corn on the foot,” with the element nægl referring not to a fingernail but rather the nail we drive in with a hammer.

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