23 Home Remedies for Hangnails

One of the irritating problems that can be faced by anyone is hangnails. Sometimes, people also experience cracked hands in addition and this can be nauseating. It is easy to snag on fabrics or scrape loved ones with hangnails and this can lead to itching.

Dead skin cells are what give rise to hangnails and the loss of natural oils is one reason that they occur. When you get exposed to water, the problem can be aggravated but most people often have to wash dishes.

 

Common Causes

When your skin is exposed to the elements of weather, it leads to a number of consequences and this includes hangnails.  Other causes are:

• Exposure to chemicals in washing solutions
• Poor nail care
• Trimming nails at the side instead of at the top
• Poor nutrition
• Biting on nails

Hangnails can sometimes lead to redness and swelling. This can also be painful at some point and this explains while biting on your nails is discouraged.

You can inadvertently tear up your skin when you bite and this will be an open wound. Bacterial infections are likely when you open up a wound.

 

Home Remedies for Hangnails

The good note is that there are home remedies to help you put the situation in check. Your dead skin can be extricated and moisture worked into your skin cells. If there is no underlying skin problem, you will be just fine with these home remedies:

 

1. Turmeric

This powerful source of antioxidants, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and analgesic properties are a trustworthy remedy. The healing powers are evident and usage can also prevent hangnails infections.

To use this home remedy, mix equal parts of powdered turmeric and mustard oil. Warm up the mix. Allow to cool and rub on to the skin around the hangnail. Allow seeping into the nails for at least an hour. You can also leave through the night but remember to cover it up with a bandage to keep the mixture in place.

 

2. Honey

Honey has a range of healing properties that make it suitable for use in a number of health concerns.  When dealing with hangnails, it is advised that you ensure that the nail beds are moisturized. This is how honey gets into the picture.

As a natural home remedy, you can deploy honey for the attraction and preservation of moisture. These line up with its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory uses. Honey will help fight any infection and ward off inflammation. It softens up the cuticles easily. To use this home remedy, simply apply all-natural honey to your hangnails. Cover the area with a bandage so you can leave the honey on for a few hours before washing it off.

3. Yogurt

The presence of probiotics in yogurt makes it a good fit for healing remedies. It will accelerate healing as a result of its huge anti-inflammatory properties. To use his home remedy, put room-temperature plain yogurt on your hangnail. Let it sit for an hour. When the time is up, rinse it off with cold water. Do this once a day until you no longer have a hangnail.

 

4. Avocado

The presence of vitamins E, healthy fats and other minerals in avocado makes it fitting for skin nourishment. It also helps supply moisture to hydrate your skin.

To use this home remedy, get an avocado, expel the seed and mash the pulp of half size portion/ Top it with 2 tablespoonful measure of coconut oil. Rub the paste over your nails and wait until morning. Wash off with warm water. Repeat process for the next few days. To prevent future hangnails, you can do this three times a week.

 

5. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt comes up for mention in a number of remedies that are made at home and they have a reputation for eliminating bacteria.  Using this remedy will dampen swellings and douse inflammation.

To use this home remedy, mix a tablespoon of Epsom salt in a bowl of warm water. Soak your nails in this water for twenty minutes. Do this once a day until you have recovered from your hangnail.

 

6. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamins have a huge base of properties that make them reliable for use as home remedies. Using vitamin E oil will moisturize the nails and boost recovery of damaged skin. You can also decide to spice up the mix by tipping in some jojoba or olive oil. To use this home remedy, simply rub vitamin E oil on your nails twice a day until you see results.

 

7. Petroleum Jelly

Since dryness fosters hangnails, it is trite to use a remedy that supplies needed moisture. This is how petroleum jelly comes to play here. To use this home remedy, mix a teaspoon of petroleum jelly with half a teaspoon of sesame oil. Before going to bed, rub this mixture on your nails. Rinse it off when you wake up. Do this every other day until you see results.

 

8. Warm Oil Massage

Oils have a moisturizing effect and using a warm oil massage delivers the oily advantage. The range of oils to use includes benzoin, lavender, or chamomile. To use this home remedy, mix a capsule’s worth of vitamin E oil, 1.5 oz of almond oil, and 25 drops of whichever essential oil you decide to use. Before bed, warm the oil and put it on your nails. Leave this on overnight and rinse it off in the morning. Use this home remedy as often as needed.

9. White Clay

White clay is one remedy that works well for sensitive skin types. This remedy is replete with minerals that heal chapped skin. To use this home remedy, mix a teaspoon each of olive oil and white clay. Add three drops of lavender oil to this mix. Make a paste from this mixture. Rub the paste on your nails and let it sit for twenty minutes. When the time is up, rinse off the mixture with warm water. Use this every other day for a week to see results.

 

10. Almond and Egg Mix

Almonds have vaunted healing properties and they combine well with eggs to deliver the healing mix that treats hangnails. The presence of fatty acids and vitamin E in almonds help to combat inflammation and any chance of swelling.

Soak your almonds in a bowl of water. Get the skin peeled off and grind. Get egg yolk smoothed out. Tip in some honey. Combine the mix. Rub on the nails generously before sleeping. Use cotton gloves to cover the nails. Take the gloves off in the morning. Wash the hands with warm water. Repeat this process a few times a week till you see the desired results.

 

11. Oatmeal Scrub

Oatmeal has scrub-worthy effects that will exfoliate dead cells. Get rolled oats. Blend using a grater.  Empty into a bowl. Massage the palms using this blend. Allow to fill and go round your cuticles. Allow staying for fifteen minutes. Wash off with warm water. Apply a moisturizer of your choice on the nails. A few times each week is recommended for use of this home remedy.

 

12. Beeswax Balm

Wax from bees has a moisturizing effect and they are reputed to harden the nails. They can be combined with moisturizing oil so that a layer of protective coating gets formed on your skin. This is a measure against skin tear.

Get two teaspoons each of coconut oil, almond oil, and olive oil. Add three tablespoons of beeswax and honey. Heat this mixture on a stove until it is smooth. Add in two drops of an essential oil of your choosing. Rub this mixture into your nails before you go to bed, and rinse it off in the morning. Do this every day until you see results.

 

13. Emollient Cream

An emollient cream serves the purpose of adding moisture content to your nails. Rub the cream and wrap up with plastic wrap. Leave the wrap on till the morning so that the moistening effect can deepen.

 

14. Salt Water

Salt water has its stripping effect that can eliminate dead skin cells. Get a bowl filled with a cup of water. Tip in a tablespoon of salt. Immerse your fingertips in the mix for a couple of times each day. Do this every day until you see results.

 

15. Alum

Using alum can help to remove dead skin cells. Add blended alum to whatever moisturizer you already use. Rub this cream on your nails after cutting your hangnails.

16. Echinacea and Garlic

Garlic is an oft-used home remedy that has powerful antibiotic properties. The echinacea herb is reputed for antiseptic effects and this will ward off infections.

To use this home remedy, obtain the juice from one clove of garlic. Mix this with an echinacea tincture. Dip your manicuring tools in this mixture. This will help to sanitize them. Afterward, remove your hangnail with the sanitized tools.

 

17. Sesame Oil and Jelly

Sesame oil will do you some good if you have hangnails. Add this oil to petroleum jelly using a teaspoon measure of the latter and half the teaspoon measure for the former. Use the mix to massage your hands and nails. Do this before sleeping. Wash the hands in the morning with warm water. Repeat a couple of times weekly for evident results.

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18. Herbal Cuticle Softener

Eucalyptus oil and olive oil can be used to treat hangnails. Some prefer to add jojoba oil to the mix. Mix one drop of tea tree oil, two drops of eucalyptus and jojoba oil, and two tablespoons of olive oil. Mix this thoroughly. Apply this mix on the nails. Sleep with this mix off and rinse it off in the morning.

 

19. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is one of the most referenced home remedies and it is reputed for moistening and healing properties. The mix of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects will heal the hangnails. To use this home remedy, simply rub aloe vera gel on the affected nails. Allow it to dry without wiping it off. Do this once a day to get the best results.

20. Goldenseal

The goldenseal is another remedy that suits treatment of hangnails. It is also effective to healing wounds as it strips off any lurking bacteria. Get your goldenseal extracts from the herbal stores. Open up the pack and rub all over the nails. Cover the nails with gauze. Wait for fifteen minutes before washing it off with warm water

 

21. Calendula

The use of calendula also comes up for mention as a home remedy in a number of natural remedy recommendations. This is as a result of its healing properties and its effectiveness in wounds and cuts. There are two effective ways to use calendula to treat hangnails.

Collect some blossoms of calendula. Get almond oil of three parts measure or use any other essential oil. Combine into a mix and empty into a jar. Store away from the rays of the sun for the next two weeks. Use thereafter but shake the jar well before use. Rub all over the nails each time. Use this once a day for the next one week.

Alternatively, prepare a calendula cleanser. Get a tea of calendula in a cup. Tip in some aloe vera gel. Massage the mix into the nails and hand. Do this repeatedly until you see results.

 

22. Glycerin

While glycerin can be used with a number of ingredients as a home remedy for hangnails, it can also stand alone.  To use this home remedy, mix the liquid from one vitamin E capsule with one teaspoon of glycerin. Rub this mixture on your hangnail. Let it sit for ten minutes. When the time is up, rinse off the mixture with warm water.

 

23. White Cedar

The white cedar has its advantages and can be used to remedy hangnails. The presence of thujone in this herb makes it suitable for preventing brittle nails. You can get the tincture or capsule products of this herb. Open the capsule and dump the liquid in a bowl. Add a cup of warm water. Immerse your nails in it after rimming them. Soak your nails for twenty minutes. Do this once a day for a week to get the best results.

Which of these home remedies are you most likely to use? Comment below!

 

References

http://www.diyhealthremedy.com/8-fantastic-home-remedies-for-hangnails/

http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-hangnails.html

http://www.sweetadditions.net/beauty/home-remedies-to-cure-pain-of-hangnail-infection

http://www.livestrong.com/article/144669-home-remedies-for-hangnails-and-cracked-hands/

http://www.footfiles.com/health/diseases/article/the-five-most-effective-home-remedies-for-hangnails

https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-treat-a-hangnail-using-home-remedies/

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Hangnails