Tips to treat hangnails
Hangnails may look so tiny, but the pain caused by them turns out to be horrible to handle. This tiny torn piece of skin next to a fingernail or toenail is caused by multiple reasons and a few of them include having dry skin, nail-biting and paper cuts, etc.
These hangnails not only hurt but sometimes get infected if not treated well. So, how can we treat hangnails with simple home remedies?
Steps for treating hangnails:
- Soak in warm water: Try soaking the affected area in warm water for 15mins. Repeat it 3-4 times to increase the blood flow and clean the area.
- Use a nail clipper or cuticle scissor to trim: Once the hangnail becomes soft from arm water soak, try to trim the skin edges to avoid getting caught to anything which may hurt badly and to also prevent from getting infected further.
- Moisturize to avoid dryness: The condition worsens when the skin is dried out. So it is always suggested to moisturize the affected area. Apart from soothing the already existing hangnails, it also protects from developing new ones.
- Apply ointment: If the hangnails look infected, it is better to apply antibiotic cream to prevent further infections. And then consult a doctor depending on the infection.
Home remedies to treat hangnails:
Avocado paste: Avacado being rich in natural oils and healthy fats, applying avocado can help in healing chronic hangnails too. Mash some avocado and add virgin coconut oil or olive oil. Now apply the paste to the cuticles and leave it for a good amount of time. Later wash it with mild soap. Repeat the same process until you see hangnails healing.
Aloe Vera gel: Being one of the best home remedies for multiple concerns, the antibiotic properties in Aloe vera helps in curing hangnails. Apply aloe vera paste on the infected part and let it dry. Later rinse it off and continue till you see visible results.
Vitamin E Oil: The extreme moisturizing effect of vitamin E oil works best in treating hangnails. After soaking the infected area in warm water, pat it dry with a soft cloth and then apply vitamin E oil. Let it soak into the skin and you can leave it without washing. But if you wish to cleanse, let it be for 30mins. Repeat the same for at least a month for better results.
Honey: Honey is a natural moisturizer. Just apply some on the cuticles and surrounding area. Leave it for 3-4hrs and wash it. Repeat the procedure for 3-4 weeks for good results.
Glycerin: The healing process with glycerine is different as it uses the osmosis process to soften the skin. Add extra virgin coconut oil or vitamin E oil to some glycerin for better results. Now apply and let it dry for 10mins. Rinse it with mild soap and repeat until the condition subsides.
