Do you usually notice a small piece of torn skin around your nails? You cannot wait for it to snag, but when it does, it burns. Also, the hanging skin tends to get caught in clothes and stuff, and since it gets pulled, it hurts a lot. Well, this is a hangnail. With the following 8 home remedies for hangnails you can deal with them and prevent them effectively.
Hangnails are common among people who have dry skin, and those who are guilty of biting their nails. Also, nutritional deficiencies cause hangnails. Using detergents to wash clothes, can also result in hangnails because of your skins exposure to harsh chemicals. While manicures help treat hangnails, the ones done in an improper way can cause hangnails, and so you should always get your manicures done from someone who knows what they are doing.
Hangnails make your hands look really bad, but what is worse is they are super painful. They might even get infected by bacteria, causing swelling, inflammation and redness.
Here are some of the remedies for hangnails that are easy, simple, cheap yet effective.
Suggested read: Here’s How You Can Grow Long And Healthy Nails With Ingredients From The Kitchen Cabinet
Home remedies for hangnails
Here are the 8 best natural treatments for hangnails.
1. Vitamin E Oil
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The first remedy on our list today is vitamin E oil. What makes vitamin E oil effective for hangnails? Well, the oil softens your nails by providing the necessary moisture to the nail beds. Also, since vitamin E helps heal a skin tear it facilitates softer nails.
For the remedy, you need to apply some vitamin E oil directly on the problem area. You should leave it on for a while. Once the oil is completely absorbed, you need to reapply. You need to do this several times, throughout the day if you want to get rid of hangnails.
If vitamin E oil is not available, then you can also try olive oil or castor oil or even jojoba oil. These oils also help moisten the nails effectively.
Every time you clip your nails, apply a drop of one of these oils on your nail beds.
2. Honey
The next remedy is honey, and it is definitely one of the best ways to get rid of hangnails. Honey will moisturize your nail beds, and ensure it remains supple. This is because honey is a natural moisturizing agent. It is a natural humectant that locks the moisture.
Honey is also antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory. As a result, it fights different kinds of infections and lowers inflammations, both of which are common symptoms associated with hangnails. So which kind of honey is best for hangnails? Manuka honey, definitely. This is because added to all the qualities of honey in general, Manuka honey is a potent antimicrobial agent.
For the remedy, apply some Manuka honey on the affected nail. You will have to leave it on for several hours. This will soften the nail cuticles. You should repeat this remedy several times, through the day, until the problem is completely cured.
3. Avocado
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Another remedy for hangnails, avocado, is rich in vitamin E, contains healthy fats and also other nutrients, which help smooth the nails and heal them. It nourishes the skin, and is also known to act as a humectant or moisture absorber and locker.
For the remedy, you will need to scoop out avocado pulp. Now mash it using a fork. To this, add four teaspoons of coconut oil. Mix well, and then apply it on the nails. This mix will act as a homemade hand moisturizer, and will replenish your nails and the skin around them.
You should leave on the mix through the night, and wash it off with lukewarm water only in the night. You can try this treatment on a regular basis, or if that is too much for you, then apply at least four times a week.
4. Homemade Cuticle Softener
Prepare a cuticle softener at home and prevent hangnails. How to prepare it? Let us help you out. J
You can mix two drops of eucalyptus oil and jojoba oil each in a small container. Now add a drop of essential tea tree oil and four tablespoons of warm olive oil. Mix them all. Make sure the olive oil is only soothingly warm and not hot. Now rub this mix on your nails, cuticles and the skin around them You should leave it on through the night.
Another alternative that you can try is heat six teaspoons of olive oil in a microwave. Once it is soothingly warm, add a tablespoon of coconut oil and glycerin. In place of coconut oil, you can also use glycerin. Now heat this mix one more time. Once it is just warm, massage it onto your nails. Also massage your nail cuticles and the skin around. This too should be left over night.
Before applying the homemade cuticle softener, you can soak your hands in warm water first. This will improve your nails’ ability to absorb the oil and the moisture.
Suggested read: The Most Effective Home Remedies For Ingrown Toenails
5. Almonds
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The next remedy on our list is almonds. These again are very rich sources of vitamin E, which makes them great moisturizers.
For the remedy, you need to soak some almonds in water. Keep it soaked through the night. Next morning, peel the almonds and grind them well. Now add a beaten egg yolk to this and mix well. Add a teaspoon of honey and mix again. Apply the mixture on your nails and wear a pair of cotton gloves. Leave it on that night, and next morning rinse out with lukewarm water. This will help reduce swelling as well as inflammation.
This remedy should be followed regularly, or at least 4 times a week to prevent hangnails.
6. Beeswax Balm
To soften and moisturize your nail beds and cuticles, try some beeswax balm. Add some oil to the mix, and you will make yourself a soothing layer on your nails which will prevent hangnails or cracked nails.
For the remedy, take three tablespoons of beeswax. To this, add a teaspoon and a half of coconut oil, almond oil and olive oil. Mix the ingredients. Now add two tablespoons of honey, and mix again. You will have to heat this mixture in a microwave, and allow it to cool down. Add some essential oil; you can choose from the likes of tea tree oil, lavender oil, plantain oil and peppermint oil. You need to apply the mixture on your nails and cuticles every night before sleeping to cure and prevent hangnails.
7. Yogurt
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Yogurt acts as an amazing remedy for hangnails, because it contains probiotics. Probiotics is anti-inflammatory in nature, and thus, treats the pain caused by hangnails.
Also, yogurt is a great moisturizer. Applying it on your nails and skin attracts moisture and locks it, thus nourishing the skin. For better results, you need to go for yogurt with active cultures.
For the remedy, get yourself a probiotic yogurt of with active cultures, and apply it on the affected area. Also apply on the other nails and the skin around the nails. You need to leave the pack on for a few hours. You can leave it on through the night. Now wash it off with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean, soft towel or washcloth.
This remedy should be repeated every day until hangnails are completely treated.
8. White Clay
The last remedy on our list is white clay. This natural and mild clay is especially suitable for skin that is dry and sensitive. You can use it to exfoliate your skin, thus getting rid of dead skin cells and dirt. It provides the nails the necessary minerals to prevent hangnails.
For the remedy, you need to take a small container, and in it add a teaspoon of white clay. Now add half a tablespoon of olive oil into the container and mix the ingredients. Add to this mix, about three drops of lavender oil, and massage it onto the affected area, and then all the nails and the skin around them.
Leave the paste on for about 20 minutes, and then clean off with lukewarm water. This remedy should be repeated twice a week for best results.
Apart from these remedies, you should follow a proper nail care routine to avoid hangnails. You should always keep your hands moisturized and nourished. Stop overusing water as it dries the nails really fast causing them to crack and the skin around them tear. You also need to get good manicures from a proper manicurist.
To strengthen your nails, you need to increase your vitamin B content. Also increase your calcium intake and iron intake. This will help prevent hangnails effectively.
Suggested read: 14 Superbly Effective Home Remedies For Dry, Cracked, And Brittle Nails
That is all we have on today’s post on home remedies for hangnails. Was this helpful? Will you be recommending it to others too? If you have some remedies that you would like to share with us, then please do so in the comment section below.
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Featured image source: Google, copyright-free image under Creative Commons License
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