Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Hangnail?Signs and SymptomsTreatmentWhen to Seek CarePreventionComplicationsCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is a Hangnail?
Signs and Symptoms
Treatment
When to Seek Care
Prevention
Complications
Coping
An infected hangnail is a form ofparonychia, a condition in which the skin next to the nail is infected. If you have a small piece of torn skin hanging loose next to your nail, you likely have a hangnail.
While an infected hangnail is common and can become painful, you can often take care of it with home remedies. You also can prevent hangnails with good nail hygiene and reduce how often you get them. Never pull or at or bite off a hangnail. This may cause the skin to rip and become infected.
Although hangnail has the word “nail” in it, a hangnail is specifically a skin condition where small portions of skin get a tear near the cuticle (the layer of clear skin at the base of the nail).Hangnails commonly appear on fingernails but are rarely seen on toenails.
Hangnail vs. Ingrown NailA hangnail is not the same as aningrown nail. A hangnail occurs when small portions of skin get a tear near the cuticle of a fingernail. An ingrown nail, however, is a medical condition in which the edges of a toenail curve or grow into the soft flesh. An ingrown nail commonly appears on the toes.
Hangnail vs. Ingrown Nail
A hangnail is not the same as aningrown nail. A hangnail occurs when small portions of skin get a tear near the cuticle of a fingernail. An ingrown nail, however, is a medical condition in which the edges of a toenail curve or grow into the soft flesh. An ingrown nail commonly appears on the toes.
Causes
Signs and Symptoms of an Infected Hangnail
You should be able to notice the symptoms of a hangnail soon after it becomes infected. Infection occurs when bacteria or fungus get under the skin. Bacterial infections can produce symptoms almost immediately, whilefungal infectionsmay take longer to appear.
What Is Paronychia?
Paronychiais one of the most common infections of the hand.It’s an infection between the nail and the skin, which affects the lateral nail fold andperionychium(the tissue surrounding the nail). It can occur in adults and children, but typically it is not serious.
There are two kinds of paronychia:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonendermnetnz.org2023
Typical Symptoms
If you have an infected hangnail, common symptoms include:
How Do You Treat a Hangnail Infection?
If you have an infected hangnail, do not attempt to bite, rip, or pull it off. If you do, you may pull off additional skin that will open more inner skin layers to bacteria. This can also aggravate the hangnail area and cause it to become red and slightly inflamed.
Instead, use the following effective ways to prevent infection and irritation from hangnails.
Soak in Warm Water
Soak the nail in warm water and antibacterial soap for 15 minutes up to four times a day.This cleanses the area and increases blood flow. Warm water can also soothe any discomfort in the infected area.
Trim the Hangnail With Cuticle Clippers
Sterilize cuticle clippers or small scissors with rubbing alcohol. After the hangnail is soft from soaking in water, trim the edges with cuticle clippers to prevent further irritation and infection.
Use Topical Antifungal or Antibiotic Creams
Apply small amounts of antibiotic cream, such as Neosporin, on the infected hangnail. Your healthcare provider may also recommend topical steroids.If your infection has been diagnosed as being fungal, your healthcare provider may recommend an antifungal cream.
RICE Method
The acronym RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This can be an effective way to relieve a hangnail. Apply the following strategies to reduce pain and swelling from hangnails:
Moisturize
After your infection has healed, use moisturizers to keep your skin well hydrated. This might help prevent more hangnails from developing.
Should you use hydrogen peroxide on an infected hangnail?Avoid usinghydrogen peroxideto clean an infected hangnail. It can actually harm healthy cells on your skin, which can delay healing. To clean minor wounds and infections, use soap and warm water for at least five minutes to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria.
Should you use hydrogen peroxide on an infected hangnail?
Avoid usinghydrogen peroxideto clean an infected hangnail. It can actually harm healthy cells on your skin, which can delay healing. To clean minor wounds and infections, use soap and warm water for at least five minutes to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoThamKC / Getty Images
ThamKC / Getty Images
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Most infected hangnails will heal on their own with the appropriate treatment, which can be applied at home. However, talk to a doctor if your hangnail does not heal after about a week of treatment.
If the hangnail develops anabscess(a walled-off area of infection) or pus (thick fluid produced as a body’s response to infection), it may need to be drained.
To drain an infected hangnail, your healthcare provider may:
Do Not Drain at Home
Preventing Hangnails and Infection
Hangnails are easy to prevent. To keep your skin healthy and hydrated, implement the following steps into your skincare routine:
Photographer, Basak Gurbuz Derman / Getty Images
How to Get Rid of Non-Infected Hangnails
You can easily remove or care for non-infected hangnails to help them heal and prevent an infection:
Complications From Untreated Hangnail Infections
Hangnails that are left untreated may becomedystrophic(discolored or distorted) over time. In rare cases, it may also cause a systemic infection that spreads to other parts of the body.
Chronic Paronychia
Untreated hangnails may lead to chronic paronychia, which is an inflammatory disorder of the nail skin fold.This is characterized as an infection that lasts longer than six weeks.
It typically occurs in people who haveeczema(an inflammatory skin condition) and those whose occupation exposes their hands to harsh chemicals or constant moisture (for instance, housekeepers, dishwashers, bartenders).
Some health conditions may pose a risk for chronic paronychia. They include diabetes and beingimmunocompromised(having a weakened immune system).
Green Nail Syndrome
This syndrome is most common in people whose hands or feet are constantly wet (such as in sweaty footwear or waterproof dishwashing or medical gloves) or who have nails lifted from the nailbed (such as may happen to gardeners, janitors, or plumbers).
Fungal Infections
Infection That Spreads
Although rare, infected hangnails may spread to areas of the body if left untreated, which can cause complications. To prevent this from occurring, see your healthcare provider if your hangnail develops an abscess or pus that does not go away.
Coping With Hangnails
While hangnails are common, they are easily to manage. If you wash your hands frequently, pick your fingers, or frequently work with your hands, you’re more likely to get hangnails. They usually go away after a few days as long as you don’t pick or pull at the skin.
Summary
If you develop a hangnail, avoid ripping or pulling it off because that increases the risk of infection. Seek medical attention if your infected hangnail does not improve or becomes worse.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.How to get rid of a hangnail.Leggit JC.Acute and chronic paronychia.American Family Physician. 2017;96(1):44-51.Jangra RS, Gupta S, Singal A, Kaushik A.Hangnail: A simple solution to a common problem.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2019;81(5):e123-e125. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.06.006American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Green nail syndrome.Mount Sinai.Paronychia.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.How to get rid of a hangnail.Leggit JC.Acute and chronic paronychia.American Family Physician. 2017;96(1):44-51.Jangra RS, Gupta S, Singal A, Kaushik A.Hangnail: A simple solution to a common problem.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2019;81(5):e123-e125. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.06.006American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Green nail syndrome.Mount Sinai.Paronychia.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.How to get rid of a hangnail.Leggit JC.Acute and chronic paronychia.American Family Physician. 2017;96(1):44-51.Jangra RS, Gupta S, Singal A, Kaushik A.Hangnail: A simple solution to a common problem.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2019;81(5):e123-e125. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.06.006American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Green nail syndrome.Mount Sinai.Paronychia.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.How to get rid of a hangnail.
Leggit JC.Acute and chronic paronychia.American Family Physician. 2017;96(1):44-51.
Jangra RS, Gupta S, Singal A, Kaushik A.Hangnail: A simple solution to a common problem.Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2019;81(5):e123-e125. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.06.006
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Green nail syndrome.
Mount Sinai.Paronychia.
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