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UW Health SMPH

Treating a Hangnail

Topic Overview Back to top

A hangnail is the strip of skin that separates from the side of the cuticle. Simple home treatment can help prevent problems with hangnails.

  • Do not pull at or bite off a hangnail. This may cause the skin to rip.
  • Clip off the hangnail neatly with sharp, clean cuticle scissors.
  • Massage hand lotion or cream into your cuticles 2 to 3 times each day.

Credits Back to top

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised October 7, 2012

Last Revised: October 7, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine

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