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• Part 1 of 2: Treat hangnails

A hangnail or compulsive nail is an annoying crack in the skin that occurs when a piece of skin comes loose from a cuticle or fingernail. A hangnail is small, but can be very painful if it gets caught on your clothes or hair. In addition, a hangnail can also become infected. It is therefore important to properly care for and remove hangnails to avoid deep cuts, scars, swelling and infections.

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Part 1 of 2: Treat hangnails

1. Do not bite your nails or pick them. By biting your nails, you damage your nails and the skin around them, making it more likely that you will get hangnails.
   • Putting your fingers in your mouth and holding them near your mouth increases the chance of a hangnail becoming infected because there are several bacteria in your mouth.
2. Do not use nail polish remover with acetone. A nail polish remover with acetone works very well for removing nail polish, but it can also dry out your hands and nails. Because hangnails occur when your skin and nails are dry, it is best not to use products with a drying effect.
   • Consider using less aggressive nail polish removers such as ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, or propylene carbonate. You can also use nail polish removers with added nourishing ingredients such as glycerine and soy.
3. Have a healthy, varied diet. Eat foods high in iron, calcium and B vitamins to strengthen your nails and prevent hangnails in the future. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to stay well hydrated.
   • Consider taking a vitamin supplement if your diet is not getting enough nutrients.
   • Biotin is a supplement that helps strengthen your nails. Ask a doctor if a supplement is right for you.