Why do I always get "hangnails" on my hands?

"I have hangnails!" "Go buy some vitamins." Hangnails on hands are a problem that many people are troubled by in the dry winter. However, using vitamins to solve hangnails is not a scientific approach. Perhaps, moisturizing your hands is the key.

Why do hangnails appear?

Hangnails, scientifically known as "reverse onycholysis", are caused by the tearing of the epidermis of the proximal nail fold of the nail (or toenail), which is connected to the superficial skin, forming a curled and raised long triangle.

When hearing the word "tearing", some friends immediately clenched their feet: "Tearing? How could tearing happen out of nowhere?"

Image source: Pixabay

In fact, the outer layer of our skin has a thin layer of defense against external stimuli, called the "stratum corneum". There is a layer of sebum on the surface of the stratum corneum, which is the skin's natural moisturizer. It can reduce water evaporation and ensure the proper water content of the stratum corneum, so that it fits closely with the skin below.

However, when we often wash our hands with alcohol, soap, detergents, etc., or remove the sebum on the skin surface due to friction such as exercise, the stratum corneum will lose the care of natural moisturizers, and excessive water loss will lead to dryness. The stratum corneum will further separate and curl up, forming the common "hangnails".

When we have "hangnails", the elders at home always say, you are lacking nutrition, they told you to eat more vegetables and fruits, you didn't listen! Go buy some vitamins to supplement.

Although clinical studies have found that vitamins do have a certain auxiliary effect on skin health and the repair of skin and mucous membranes, skin diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis, chapped lips, pellagra, and excessive keratinization of hair follicles have also been confirmed to be related to vitamin deficiency. However, there is no definite evidence to prove that hangnails are caused by a lack of certain vitamins in the body. The role of vitamins is unquestionable, but as long as most people eat normally and ensure a balanced diet, it is unlikely that vitamin deficiency diseases will occur. Do not supplement blindly.

How to avoid hangnails?

The most effective way to avoid hangnails is just two words: "moisturizing".

On the one hand, we should reduce the use of alcohol or products containing alcohol to avoid direct irritation to the skin of the hands. On the other hand, it is very important to use latex gloves to protect hands when doing housework and professional work, and apply hand cream to moisturize hands after washing hands.

Of course, correcting children's bad habits such as biting their hands, biting their nails and picking their hands; eating a balanced diet and increasing the body's water intake can also help prevent the occurrence of hangnails.

What are the risks of biting barbs?

"Doctor, I understand the principle, but now that the barb has appeared, I can't bear it if I don't treat it right away!" Many people want to tear off the barb when they see it, but this is a big mistake.

Since the structure of the nail epithelium is connected downward and backward, if you pull it downward along the barbs, it will only expand the wound area, cause deep damage to the skin, and increase the probability of bleeding and infection. If the infection spreads, it may cause paronychia, subungual abscess, etc.

Therefore, don’t do this kind of “shameless” operation of tearing the barbs with your hands or biting them with your mouth!

How to treat hangnails correctly?

1. Use clean nail clippers to neatly cut off the barbs from the root;

2. Apply hand cream to reduce the occurrence of hangnails;

3. If the barb and the surrounding area are red, swollen and exuding, you can use iodine to disinfect and apply antibiotic ointment locally. If the situation worsens and suppuration occurs, you need to go to the hospital for evaluation in time.

What should you pay attention to when taking care of your hand health?

Daily hand health care generally includes two parts: cleaning and moisturizing.

1. Cleaning: Pay attention to the hygiene of your hands. Do not be perfunctory in the daily hand washing process and clean the skin of your hands. Of course, avoid excessive friction of the skin around your nails and wear gloves when coming into contact with chemical detergents.

2. Moisturizing: Whether you have oily skin or dry skin, you need to moisturize, especially in the dry season. Oily skin can choose moisturizing products with less oil content, while dry skin can use both water and oil.

Source: Chongqing Science and Technology Museum

Author: Wei Yi, Doctor of Medicine, one of the top ten science popularization ambassadors in the country.

Review experts: Huang He, Li Chunli, Chen Tao and Xu Xiaoping.

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