Your cuticle should also lay relatively flat against your nail. Extra bumps or ridge can be a sign of trauma or even an illness, such as kidney disease. If you see these, talk to your doctor for guidance and treatment. If the nail or cuticle feels brittle, applying cuticle oil and moisturizer on a daily basis should help to hydrate the skin and nail area. [2] X Expert Source Mohiba Tareen, MDFAAD Board Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 26 March 2020. You should be able to see a half-moon shape at the bottom of your nails. If it is not immediately present, try pressing down lightly on your nails. If you still cannot see it, it may be a sign of other underlying health issues, such as hyperthyroidism. In this case, consult a doctor. [3] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source If you see signs of fungus, then start by applying an anti-fungal cream, as directed. If this doesn’t work, talk with your doctor. They may prescribe a pill that can help.
If you go with a Band-Aid, make sure to remove and replace it every few hours, so that your cut can breathe.
Tell your doctor if you have recently slammed or hit your hands against another object or if you work with construction tools. They will check for hand injuries just in case. Be aware that long-term damage to the cuticle area can cause deformities to the entire finger. That is why it is good idea to talk with your doctor if you suspect something more serious or if you damaged your cuticle via an injury. If you bite your nails until they bleed or if you feel as if you can’t stop picking or biting your cuticles, then you should speak with a mental health professional to help end these behaviors. [6] X Research source
A nail avulsion, or when a portion of the nail is pulled away from the cuticle and underlying skin, is also an injury requiring quick treatment. Avulsions are often accompanied by distal tuft fractures of the finger after blunt trauma. [7] X Research source In some cases, the entire nail bed may be removed to ensure proper healing. Try not to worry. The nail will grow back in around six months.
It is okay to clip any hangnails or large pieces of excess skin with a sanitized pair of small scissors. Just be careful to not nick the healthy skin and avoiding clipping when possible. [9] X Research source
If you want to spend a bit more, look for a specialty product, such as rose hip oil, which contains additional vitamin A to promote healing. [11] X Research source
If you bite your nails, wearing gloves or socks can help prevent you from biting in your sleep. This is also effective with children who bite their nails. Don’t be afraid to go a bit heavy on the moisturizer, as some of it will wipe off on the gloves or socks. [15] X Research source
Get a bit creative with the soaking ingredients, if you like. Place your fingers in orange juice, milk, or even coconut oil for healing. [17] X Research source You can purchase a paraffin wax bath at most pharmacies. For this treatment, you will heat up the wax, and soak your hands until the wax hardens again. Peel off the wax when you are done for softer, smoother skin and nails.
You can purchase a bitter solution or nail polish to put on your nails. This will make your nails taste bad, encouraging you to stop biting them.
