Hangnails are so common it might seem like there’s nothing you can do to prevent them, even if you regularly tend to your nails at home. PSA—that’s not exactly the case. So hangnails actually have more to do with your cuticles than the nail itself. That being said, certain nail habits, practices, and products can make the cuticle become dry—which in turn creates a hot spot for hangnails. If you pick or bite your nails—don’t be too hard on yourself. Oftentimes this can be a nervous tick or a coping mechanism for chronic or situational anxiety. We’ll dive deeper into a few ways to ease this habit to follow. “Hand eczema, or hand dermatitis, is characterized by redness, blistering, cracking, flaking, and itching of the palms and fingers,” board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., once told mbg. Of course starting with preventing dry skin is a great first step, but hand eczema will likely require more intervention than just a great hand lotion—so it’s best to see your dermatologist if you suspect you have eczema on the hands, or anywhere else on the body for that matter. Certain occupations that call for frequent hand-washing are particularly prone to dry cuticles, including anyone working in the food industry, health care, hairdressers, etc. Of course, not everyone can—nor wants to—avoid acrylic tips or gel polishes and that’s perfectly fine. However, you should be extra mindful of tending to your cuticles, so take note of the preventive measures below. If you swim frequently, whether it be in saltwater or chlorinated pools, be sure to pay special attention to moisturizing after you hop out. If you can, rinse off right as you exit the pool to ensure the chlorine doesn’t sit on the skin for too long. In the next step, you’ll want to use a cuticle trimmer, so be sure to clean it beforehand. Swipe an alcohol tab over your tool before using it, or soak it in alcohol and dry off with a clean towel. This is much safer than pulling or biting, Stern says, “Both of which can lead to irritation.” Plus, “There are so many nerves around your finger area, it can be very painful if the skin gets pulled or dragged by your clothes or other objects,” notes Amy Ling, the founder of sundays—a nail care brand focused on wellness. If you want to go all out, apply hand lotion, followed by a cuticle oil to seal in the moisture—think of it like slugging but for your nails. Especially for those with sensitive skin, ingredients like formaldehyde can wreak havoc on more than just the nail itself. Instead, opt for nontoxic nail polish—here are 13 A+ brands to shop. Plus, manicures serve as a moment of self-care, where you have no choice but to be mindful while your nails are being tended to. Nail and skin care are part of full-body health care and shouldn’t be viewed as just an appearance-based or frivolous investment. Not sure if it’s time to schedule a visit? Here are a few signs you might not be able to DIY your hangnail, according to Stern and King:
