Hangnails occur when the skin along the sides of your fingernails is torn.This can be caused by dry skin and can cause an injury.There are some things you can do to help your hangnails heal faster.It will take you a few days to get your hands back to normal, but you can take care of them.It's important to follow standard wound-care guidelines to keep your hangnails clean.
Step 1: Attach a bandage to your hangnail to make it easier to trim it.
If you can't deal with it right away, wrap a small bandage around your finger.It will not be torn further until you get home or somewhere where you can take care of it.If your torn skin is bleeding, apply pressure with a clean, dry paper towel or cloth for 10 minutes to stop the bleeding before applying a bandage.
Step 2: Use warm water and soap to wash your hands.
Put your hands under water and lather them up with soap.Remove all the soap from your hands.It is important to keep a hangnail clean because it is just like any other wound.The warm water will make it easier to treat hangnails.
Step 3: Use a towel to dry your hands.
After you remove your hangnail, you need to dry your hands.You don't want to tear your hangnail further.If you don't have a clean towel, shake your hands off and use paper towels.Don't use a dirty towel if you have torn skin.
Step 4: A pair of cuticle trimmers should be sterile.
The trimmers should be placed in a small container.Allow the trimmers to soak for at least 10 seconds after rubbing alcohol, isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide is applied.Remove the trimmers from the liquid and wipe them dry with a towel.You can use manicure scissors or nail clippers if you don't have cuticle trimmers.If you don't have a disinfecting liquid, you can wash your cutting utensil with warm water and detergent.
Step 5: Clean cuticle trimmers can be used to trim the tough skin near your bicyle.
Carefully clip off the loose, rough, dead skin of the hangnail so it won't get caught on anything and tear even more.Leave the living skin close to your nails.You can get someone to help you trim the hangnail if it is on your dominant hand.
Step 6: You can apply an antibiotic to the hangnail.
Put a small amount of antibiotic on a clean finger.Rub it onto the hangnail.The hangnail will be kept moist to help it heal faster and to prevent infections while the wound heals.
Step 7: The hangnail should be covered with a bandage to protect it.
Wrap a small bandage around your finger.It will not be able to catch on anything while it is healing.The bandage will help keep dirt andbacteria out of your torn skin, which can slow down the healing process.
Step 8: Wait until your hangnail heals before applying or replacing the bandage.
To clean your hangnail, wash your hands in warm soapy water and then dry them with a towel.Wrap a new bandage around the hangnail.If you take care of your hangnail, it should heal in a few days.
Step 9: It's a good idea to keep your hands moist for a few days to avoid hangnails.
After you wash your hands, apply a non-perfumed lotion to them to keep them from drying out.If you want to keep your skin hydrated throughout the night, put 1 drop of oil on each finger.Since hangnails are caused by dry skin, keeping your skin moist will decrease the chances of it happening again.