"It irritates me, so I keep peeling it off"... Why do hangnails keep forming?

My daughter keeps tearing it off and chewing it with her mouth...
Well, I also removed it easily.
Anyway, if I keep applying hand cream like now and get dry skin flakes,
From now on, I should disinfect and cut properly...

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Do not tear it off recklessly; disinfect and then cut.

If you frequently immerse your hands in water, such as when doing the dishes, you are more likely to develop finger skin peeling. [Photo=Getty Images Bank / Clip Art Korea]

 

When the cuticles around the nails become thin and raised, it may seem insignificant but can be bothersome. Ignoring it feels uncomfortable, and unconsciously peeling them off can easily lead to bleeding. Cuticles are a protective barrier that guards the nails and skin.

 

Prevents skin moisture from evaporating and blocks external pathogens from penetrating. When this cuticle lifts and peels, it becomes hangnails. Based on materials from American women's health magazines such as 'Women's Health,' we explored hangnails.

 

"Habit of biting nails" = If you habitually pick or bite around your nails, it is easy for hangnails to form. The cuticles left after biting dry out, crack, and lift. It is advisable to have a professional safely and neatly remove the cuticles.

 

"My hands get wet a lot" = Repeatedly getting wet and dry from household chores and the like makes them look good. This is why hands of chefs, bartenders, and similar workers often develop hangnails. During the wetting and drying process, the cuticles crack and break.

 

Protein deficiency also affects the skin and nails, which are made of protein. The same applies to cuticles. If you do not consume enough protein, they become weak and prone to peeling. Protein deficiency often results in thinning hair or a dull-headed feeling, so it is advisable to consult a doctor to improve your diet or take supplements.

 

"Too dry" = When hands and nails become dry, it is easy to develop problems. Just like how the ends of hair split when exposed to hot hairdryer air for a long time, a similar phenomenon occurs at the fingertips.

 

To trim properly without bleeding, do not tear the hangnail carelessly, as it often causes the cuticle and flesh to come off together, leading to bleeding. Wounds are prone to infection. When removing a hangnail, first disinfect the area with alcohol, then use cuticle nippers to carefully cut the base of the hangnail.

 

If there is already a wound, apply a medicinal ointment. Regularly doing water-related tasks or washing your hands, and then applying hand and nail lotion can prevent hangnails.

 

Kwon Soon-il kstt77@kormedi.com