Treating a Hangnail

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

Credits

Current as of: March 21, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board: All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

 

PeaceHealth endeavors to provide comprehensive health care information, however some topics in this database describe services and procedures not offered by our providers or within our facilities because they do not comply with, nor are they condoned by, the ethics policies of our organization.

Health Information Library