Hangnail
Small, torn piece of skin near a fingernail or toenail
| Hangnail | |
|---|---|
| [[File:|250px|alt=|]] | |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Field | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Pain, redness, swelling |
| Complications | Infection |
| Onset | N/A |
| Duration | |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Dry skin, nail biting, frequent hand washing |
| Risks | |
| Diagnosis | N/A |
| Differential diagnosis | N/A |
| Prevention | Moisturizing, avoiding nail biting |
| Treatment | Trimming, moisturizing, antiseptic |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Good with proper care |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | N/A |
A hangnail is a small, torn piece of skin near a fingernail or toenail. Despite its name, a hangnail is not a problem with the nail itself. Hangnails are common and can be painful, especially if they become infected.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Hangnails are typically caused by dry skin, which can result from frequent hand washing, exposure to harsh chemicals, or cold weather. Other common causes include nail biting and improper nail care.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The primary symptoms of a hangnail include:
- Pain around the affected area
- Redness and swelling
- Possible bleeding if the hangnail is torn off
Complications[edit | edit source]
If a hangnail is not properly treated, it can lead to an infection known as paronychia. This infection can cause increased pain, swelling, and pus formation around the nail.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Preventing hangnails involves maintaining proper nail and skin care. Some preventive measures include:
- Regularly moisturizing the hands and cuticles
- Avoiding nail biting and picking at the skin around the nails
- Using gloves when exposed to harsh chemicals or when washing dishes
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for a hangnail includes:
- Trimming the hangnail with clean, sharp scissors or nail clippers to prevent further tearing
- Applying a moisturizing lotion or cuticle oil to the affected area
- Using an antiseptic to prevent infection if the hangnail is torn or bleeding
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
