For the sake of the beauty of their nails, women are ready to do a lot - they spare no time and money in visiting beauty salons, purchasing a variety of varnishes and care products. Despite this, sometimes small troubles happen that cause a lot of worry. For example, inflammation of the cuticle. This is a process accompanied by redness, pain, swelling, and in some cases purulent discharge. Women have to face this problem quite often. Let's try to figure out why this happens and what is the treatment for inflamed cuticle.

Symptoms

The cuticle is a layer of thick skin located at the bottom of the nail. It performs a protective function, preventing dirt, infections and pathogenic bacteria from penetrating to the base of the nail. When performing a manicure, it is removed so that the hands look more well-groomed, and varnish coating lay down more evenly.

Sometimes the cuticle becomes inflamed, and this can be recognized by the following signs.

  • Redness in the cuticle area.
  • The appearance of swelling.
  • Increased sensitivity, manifested in pain or discomfort.
  • If treatment for inflammation is not started in a timely manner, purulent discharge may appear and the pain will intensify.

If you notice these signs, then you need to start treatment as soon as possible, since in the early stages such phenomena are eliminated much faster.

Reasons

Inflammation of the cuticle can begin various reasons. Let's look at what provokes its development.

  1. Burrs. By themselves, hangnails at the base of the nail rarely cause inflammation. Here, their improper removal has more of an impact: tearing them off, carelessly cutting them, using unsterile manicure accessories.
  2. Improper cuticle care. Without proper care, it becomes rough, thickens, grows, becomes dry and prone to cracking.
  3. Fungal diseases and the influence of pathogenic microorganisms.
  4. Mechanical damage to the skin on the finger: blows, cuts, scratches.
  5. Allergic reactions.
  6. Using household chemicals and other aggressive substances without gloves.
  7. Often the cuticle becomes inflamed after a carelessly done manicure.

Any of these reasons can trigger inflammation of the cuticle. It is important to immediately take measures at the first sign to stop the inflammatory process.

How to treat inflammation?

If the inflammation begins near one nail, then most likely it is due to mechanical damage. If several fingers are affected at once, it is better to consult a dermatologist to eliminate the possibility fungal infection. In other cases, your task is to relieve inflammation and remove pus.

The process, which began quite a long time ago, itself provokes rupture of the skin. In this case, it is enough to apply a little pressure on your finger to remove excess pus. After this, the affected area must be treated with any antiseptic. The following remedies are also good at stopping inflammatory processes and drawing out pus.

  1. Ichthyol ointment. It should be applied to a cotton pad and placed on the damaged finger, securing the bandage well with a bandage or adhesive plaster. This procedure is best performed at night. In the morning the pain will be much less.
  2. Vishnevsky ointment is an old, proven remedy that is considered one of the best for drawing out pus from the site of inflammation. It should be used similarly to ichthyol ointment.
  3. From available means, you can use aloe leaf. It needs to be cut and fixed on the sore finger.
  4. Treatment folk remedies offers one more effective method. A piece of bandage is thoroughly rubbed with damp soap, sprinkled with salt and tied to the painful area in the nail area. This method is more suitable for lovers of “grandmother’s recipes”.
  5. In the early stages, if there is only redness without the formation of pus, baths with the addition of a decoction of oak bark, chamomile, and calendula will help.

All of the above remedies will help quickly relieve inflammation. And do not forget to regularly treat the affected finger with antiseptics: alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or any other solutions.

Prevention of cuticle inflammation

It is much easier to prevent any disease than to treat it later. Be sure to pay a little attention to preventive measures, and you will not have to deal with this unpleasant phenomenon.

  1. Maintain good hygiene. Wash your hands in a timely manner, after performing a manicure, be sure to use disinfectants and treat your tools with them.
  2. When doing household chores using aggressive substances, be sure to wear rubber gloves.
  3. If you injure the skin in the nail area, it must be immediately treated with an antiseptic.
  4. Use moisturizing and nourishing creams regularly. Every evening after washing your hands, apply a special cuticle oil.

If you carry out prevention daily, you will not need any treatment. We invite you to glean some more useful information from the video with the charming Elena Malysheva.

Of course, this unpleasant process also has its reasons. Therefore, first of all, let's talk about them to prevent inflammation.

Causes of cuticle inflammation

First of all, you should determine the causes of inflammation, and only then decide how to treat the cuticle.

The consequences of manicure. Very often, during a self-manicure or as a result of the work of a master, the nail cuticle is damaged: poorly processed cuticle, unsterile instruments or mechanical damage. Afterwards, a small abscess appears, which can soon heal on its own.

Lack of hand care. A particularly pressing issue in winter time when hands require increased attention and cuticle care. If the skin is very dry, it is more susceptible to infection by various types of fungal diseases.

Allergy. Swelling and redness can signal an allergic reaction in your body. For example, a finger could come into contact with an irritant, resulting in swelling and irritation.

How to fix the situation at home?

It is not necessary to immediately run to the doctor to correct the situation; you can try to do it yourself. We'll tell you how.

Aloe creams or aloe juice. Aloe is an amazing anti-inflammatory that helps calm inflammation and relieve redness/irritation. Apply a special cream or simply squeeze aloe juice onto the affected area and cover with a band-aid.

Oils. Orange oil, apricot kernel oil, tea tree or calendula will also help relieve inflammation and speed up the healing process of the cuticle. The main thing is to treat the area regularly.

Antifungal agents. If the cause is still a fungus, you cannot do without a wide range of remedies against harmful microorganisms. Pharmacies sell a lot of different gels, ointments, creams and drops against fungus. However, in order to self-medicate, it is still better to contact a dermatologist who will help deal with this problem faster.

Cuticle Care: How to Prevent Damage

  • Get your manicure done only by a qualified professional.
  • Increase immunity to avoid fungal diseases
  • Treat any lesions with an antiseptic
  • Do all household chores with gloves

Take care of your health and take care of your hands. They will thank you with their softness and radiance!

Such an unpleasant problem as inflammation of the cuticle is a fairly common occurrence among amateurs. home manicure. Thin and delicate skin is susceptible to mechanical damage during trim manicure and at frequent use aggressive chemicals. In this article, you will learn how to treat and prevent cuticle inflammation.

The definition of treatment for inflamed skin around the nail depends on the cause of the disease:

  • For inflamed and flaky cuticles Trimming manicure is contraindicated, which can only make the problem worse. Instead, you should only perform a procedure that will soften and painlessly remove dead skin. In addition, before the procedure, the skin should be disinfected and immediately after treated with a cream containing panthenol. It is better to entrust your hands in this state to an experienced master who will take all necessary measures.
  • If the cause of inflammation is burrs, under no circumstances should you tear them off. This can contribute to the formation of deep cracks, which take a very long time to heal and cause pain and discomfort. Burrs should be carefully trimmed and the inflamed area should be moistened cosmetic oil. In this case, the antiseptic and calming effect is also based on sea ​​salt and citrus essential oils.

  • It happens that inflammation of the cuticle becomes a consequence of getting infections to the base nail plate. This can happen if you use unsterile nippers or fail to comply with personal hygiene rules. Today, effective pharmaceutical preparations based on clotrimazole can be purchased to treat fungal infections. However, you should not self-medicate. A dermatologist will help determine the extent of cuticle damage and prescribe a safe and effective course for its restoration.
  • At mechanical damage cuticle areas, for example, during a trimmed manicure, you should immediately treat the skin with an antiseptic. For this purpose, you can use chlorhexidine or medical alcohol. If the cut is deep, you should cauterize it with iodine.
  • During education purulent bladder If the cuticle is inflamed, you should immediately consult a doctor. This condition can lead to sepsis, which is difficult to treat.

How to prevent cuticle inflammation

To protect yourself from inflammation of the skin around the nail, you should adhere to the following recommendations:

  • All housework should be done exclusively with rubber gloves. This will help not only avoid mechanical damage, but also protect the cuticle from the harmful effects of household chemicals.
  • You should pay attention to hand hygiene every day and regularly clean your nails and cuticle area from dirt.
  • After using soap, you need to apply a moisturizer to your skin so as not to dry out the delicate cuticle area. To moisturize, you should also use various baths and other caring procedures.

Inflammation of the cuticle and redness around the nail can occur for various reasons. This problem may be a consequence of an infected hangnail or damage to the cuticle during a manicure. Often the periungual fold becomes inflamed due to bacteria entering the nail growth area. Sometimes the cuticle breaks due to a fungal infection.

Redness of the skin near the nail can be associated with the abuse of varnishes and polish removers, and it can also occur as an allergic reaction to washing or cleaning powder, dishwashing detergent and other household chemicals.

In order to prevent or cure skin disease around the nail, the following rules must be followed:

  1. do not cut cuticles with scissors and do not damage the skin near the nail plate at all when doing a manicure;
  2. do not neglect rubber gloves while doing housework;
  3. keep your hands clean;
  4. if the skin around the nail is damaged (prick, splinter, scratch, etc.), immediately treat the affected area with peroxide, iodine or brilliant green;
  5. rub tea tree oil, which is a natural antiseptic, into the inflamed skin;
  6. If the cuticle and periungual fold are red, take baths with a weak iodine solution.

If, following these rules, the skin around the nail does not heal, you should immediately consult a doctor. A dermatologist will examine the problem and make a diagnosis. At best it will be an allergy or infection, at worst it will be a fungal disease, paronychia or panaritium.

Paronychia is an infectious disease of the skin around the nail, symptomatically manifested in inflammation and redness of the periungual fold. It is caused by the penetration of harmful microorganisms into the damaged cuticle, hangnails or under the nail plate.

Paronychia is dangerous not only in itself: it causes pathological changes in the nails. In particular, this infectious and inflammatory disease can cause thickening and darkening of the nail plates and the appearance of transverse grooves on the nails (candidiasis).

Paronychia can only be treated under the supervision of a dermatologist. He will prescribe a diet, antibiotics, multivitamins and external medications. In the most severe form of paronychia, surgery is sometimes necessary.

Panaritium is a purulent inflammation of the periungual fold and cuticle. It is also caused by bacteria and dirt trapped in cuts, scrapes, and cracks in the skin around the nails. Panaritium is characterized by the formation of a purulent bubble on the periungual fold or under the nail. Touching the inflamed area of ​​skin causes pain, and a burning sensation may also be felt.

Panaritium is very dangerous: in a neglected state, it can cause sepsis, dehydration of the nail phalanx, and paralysis of the finger. If panaritium appears, you should immediately contact a dermatologist so that you do not have to resort to treatment later. surgical intervention. Under no circumstances should you open a purulent blister yourself.

Anastasia
27.08.2011
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What does an inflamed cuticle look like?

The most striking example of a small inflammation is a severed hangnail. The skin in the area of ​​the hangnail becomes hyperemic (red), swells slightly (slight swelling appears), becomes sensitive (slight discomfort or pain), and the function of the skin in this area is impaired (for example, inflamed skin no longer protects against pathogenic microorganisms). The larger the hangnail, the more pronounced the symptoms of inflammation and the larger area of ​​the periungual fold is affected.

What causes cuticle inflammation?

The main causes of cuticle inflammation are:

  • . Their very presence, improper processing, tearing off burrs, unsterile or non-individual scissors/nippers, etc. were used when cutting.
  • . The cuticle is too thin, overgrown, very thick, inelastic, dry, improperly processed, and not well-groomed.
  • Pathogenic (harmful) microorganisms, fungi.
  • External factors: cuts, strong impacts, compression, etc.
  • Allergies that appear on the fingers and toes.

Removing the inflammatory process of the cuticle

Here we will look at how you can help your cuticle recover at home. First of all, you need to determine the cause of the inflammation.

If the inflammation of the cuticle is caused by a fungus, then you should contact a mycologist (a doctor specializing in fungal diseases) for help.

If the cuticle becomes inflamed with the formation of pus, all accumulated pus should first be removed. Most often, the skin itself tears in some place and it is enough to press on the skin to help it (the pus) come out. Aloe leaf, concentrated saline solution, Vishnevsky ointment, ichthyol ointment help to draw out pus.

Next, be sure to rinse the resulting cavity, for example, with hydrogen peroxide, until it stops bubbling. Cauterize the wound with iodine and preferably make a bandage or stick on a breathable sterile adhesive plaster.

If the inflammation is accompanied by only slight redness, without pus, then various baths with oak bark and chamomile will be effective. Be sure to use it with antiseptic properties.

Prevention

  • Hand hygiene. This should also include

Paronychia (inflammation of the nail cuticle) without treatment can lead to tissue infection and abscess. The disease has acute and chronic forms. It is accompanied by pain, swelling, redness of the periungual tissues and itching. The disease can be treated at home if it is mild. In severe cases, you should consult a doctor.

What does inflammation look like?

The disease affects the area under or around the nail. Symptoms of paronychia:

  • throbbing pain;
  • redness;
  • temperature rise around nail bed;
  • edema;
  • a collection of pus under the skin or nail.

Forms of the disease:

  1. Spicy. A painful, swollen area suddenly develops around the fingers. Redness occurs in this area. The affected area is hot to the touch.
  2. Chronic. The disease develops slowly. It manifests itself as gradual swelling and redness of the skin around the nails. The affected area is painful to touch. The infection often affects multiple fingers on the same hand. Chronic paronychia can cause the nail to separate from the skin. Its plate may also become deformed.

Cuticle inflammation can be treated at home or under the supervision of a doctor. You can cope with the problem yourself if the disease is mild. In severe cases, you should consult a doctor. A specialist may prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal drug. For chronic use under medical supervision.

You should go to the hospital in the following cases:

  • fever;
  • presence of diabetes;
  • spreading redness to the top of the finger;
  • accumulation of pus near or under the nail;
  • persistence of symptoms for more than 7 days.

If done correctly, it will go away in 5-10 days. It may take several weeks to combat the chronic form of the disease.

Causes of the disease process

Inflammation of the cuticle occurs due to fungal infections and pathogenic bacteria (germs can penetrate into the nail bed through wounds). The most common pathogens are staphylococci, streptococci, and gram-negative organisms.

Causes of the disease:

  1. Tissue damage. Cuts and tears in the skin around the nail can occur due to overly aggressive grooming. In some cases, an infection develops after a manicure.
  2. Bad habits. People who bite their nails and hangnails are at risk. The disease also develops in children who are accustomed to sucking their fingers.
  3. High humidity and contact with chemicals. In addition to tissue damage, the main reasons for the development of paronychia include constant interaction with water and products that irritate the skin. At risk are cleaners, housekeepers, hairdressers, and restaurant workers.
  4. Diabetes.
  5. Weakening of the immune system.

How to relieve inflammation at home

Treatment for cuticle inflammation can be done in different ways. The treatment regimen is selected taking into account the form and severity of the disease. Acute paronychia is eliminated using the following methods:

  1. Warm baths. They are done at home for mild illness 3-4 times a day for 15 minutes. After the procedure, you need to wipe the area of ​​the inflamed finger and nail dry. Warm water improves blood circulation and speeds up the healing process. Baths help reduce swelling and discomfort. As an alternative to water, you can consider chamomile tea. It has anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effects.
  2. Aloe. For inflammation, it is recommended to use the leaf of the plant. The lower part is cut off and then the pulp is applied to the sore spot. Aloe eliminates the inflammatory process and draws out pus. To better fix the sheet, you can wrap your finger with a bandage.
  3. Medicines. Inflammation can be treated with special ointments - Levomekol, Baneocin, Eplan.

During treatment, you cannot use cosmetics for nails, because... they are irritating. It is not recommended to apply varnish, hardener, base or other similar products.

How to protect yourself from inflammation

Even after proper treatment, relapse of the disease may occur. Cuticle inflammation can be prevented by proper care behind your hands. It includes 2 stages:

  1. Cleansing. It is recommended to take soap baths every 2-3 days. The procedure should last at least 10 minutes.
  2. Hydration. The skin around the nail should be lubricated daily with cuticle oil. Almond, jojoba or any other, say Damask rose, will do. Another effective remedy is natural wax. It helps prevent drying and cracking of the skin.

To prevent the development of the disease, you must adhere to the following recommendations.

  1. Use of protective equipment. Rubber gloves with absorbent cotton lining should be worn when hands are exposed to water or when using harsh household chemicals.
  2. Gentle manicure. Experts recommend trimming the periungual tissues, even if there are hangnails, only after steaming the skin. After the procedure, the area around the nail bed should be treated with antiseptics - hydrogen peroxide or Chlorhexidine.
  3. Refusal bad habits. You should stop biting your nails and hangnails.
  4. If you have diabetes, you need to keep your blood sugar levels within the normal range, follow a diet, and take the necessary medications.
  5. Timely treatment of wounds. Damaged skin on a finger must be disinfected immediately. To do this, treat the wound with iodine, Chlorhexidine or alcohol. This will help reduce the risk of purulent inflammation of the cuticle.

To prevent relapse, you need to thoroughly dry your hands after washing so that they become completely dry. Then you should apply a moisturizer. It is also necessary to monitor the condition of your skin in cold weather. It should not dry out or become chapped.

February 13, 2017

Women are ready to do a lot for the beauty of their nails - they spare no time and money to visit beauty salons to purchase various varnishes and care products. Despite this, sometimes there are little things that add up to a lot of experience. For example, inflammation of the cuticle. This is a process that is accompanied by redness, pain, swelling, and in some cases, purulent discharge. Women face this problem quite often. Let's try to figure out why this happens and what the treatment for inflamed cuticle is.

Symptoms

The cuticle is the layer of skin located at the bottom of the nail. It performs a protective function, preventing dirt, infections and pathogenic bacteria from penetrating to the base of the nail. When performing a manicure, the manicure is removed so that the hands look more well-groomed and the varnish improves.

Sometimes the cuticle becomes inflamed, and they can be recognized by the following signs.

Redness in the cuticle area.
The appearance of edema.
Hypersensitivity, manifested in pain or discomfort.
If treatment for inflammation is not started in time, pus and pain may appear even worse.
If you notice these signs, then you need to start treatment in the early stages; such phenomena are eliminated much faster.

Reasons

Inflammation of the cuticle can begin for various reasons. Let's look at what causes it to develop.

Burrs. By themselves, hangnails at the base of the nail rarely cause inflammation. Here it depends more on their improper removal: tearing, rough cutting, use of contaminated manicure accessories.
Improper cuticle care. Without proper care, it becomes rough, thickens, expands, becomes dry and prone to cracking.
Fungal diseases and exposure to pathogens.
Mechanical damage to the skin on the finger: impacts, cuts, scratches.
Allergic reactions.
Use of household chemicals and other aggressive substances, without gloves.
Often the cuticle becomes inflamed after a sloppy manicure.
Any of these reasons can cause inflammation of the cuticle. It is important to take immediate measures at the first signs to stop the inflammatory process.

How to treat inflammation?

If inflammation begins near one of the nails, this is most likely due to mechanical damage. If several fingers are affected, it is better to consult a dermatologist to rule out the possibility of a fungal infection. In other cases, your task is to eliminate inflammation and remove pus.

This process began quite a long time ago and causes the skin to rupture. In this case, it is enough to apply a little pressure on your finger to remove excess pus. After this, the affected area must be treated with any antiseptic. They stop inflammatory processes well and draw pus into the following funds.

Ichthyol ointment. It should be applied to a cotton pad and applied to the damaged finger, securing the bandage well with a bandage or adhesive plaster. This procedure is best done at night. In the morning the pain will be much less.
Vishnevsky ointment is an old, proven remedy that is one of the best for drawing out pus from the site of inflammation. The same Ichthyol ointment should be used.
Alternatively, you can use an aloe leaf. It must be cut off and fixed on the sore finger.
Treatment with folk remedies offers another effective method. A piece of bandage and thoroughly wipe with damp soap, sprinkle with salt and tie to the area of ​​pain in the nail area. This method is more suitable for fans of “grandmother’s recipes”.
In the early stages, if there is only redness without the formation of pus, a bath with a decoction of oak bark, chamomile, and calendula will help.
All these remedies will help quickly relieve inflammation. And don’t forget to regularly treat your finger with antiseptics: alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or any other solution.

Prevention of cuticle inflammation

Any disease is much easier to prevent than to treat. Of course, we pay little attention to preventive measures, and you will not have to deal with this unpleasant phenomenon.

Maintain good hygiene. Wash your hands immediately after performing a manicure, be sure to use disinfectants, they also treat tools.
When working around the house with aggressive substances, always wear rubber gloves.
If you damage your skin with a nail, it should be immediately treated with an antiseptic.
Use moisturizers regularly and nourishing creams. Every evening after washing your hands, apply a special cuticle oil.
If you take it daily for prevention, no treatment is required. We suggest you get some useful information from a video with the charming Elena Malysheva.

The cuticle is a roll of skin surrounding the nail. Its function is to exclude the possibility of penetration of bacteria and various particles of foreign origin between the nail plate and the epidermis. With proper care and manicure, there are no problems with the condition of the cuticle. But violating the rules of procedures can cause inflammation of the cuticle.


The skin around the nail is quite thin and delicate. In addition, she is constantly exposed to environment, comes into contact with various chemicals and receives mechanical damage. All these factors provoke inflammation of the cuticle, which needs treatment.

Causes of inflammation

The inflammatory process of the cuticle is characterized by redness, swelling, and in severe cases, pus appears, bad smell and pain.

The reasons that provoke inflammation of the cuticle include:

  • Presence of burrs. If you tear them off, process them incorrectly, or do a manicure with non-sterile instruments, then problems are guaranteed.
  • Unhealthy cuticle that is too thin or overgrown, dry, flaky, processed with damage to tissue integrity.
  • Microorganisms and fungal infections that have entered the tissue.
  • Mechanical damage in the form of blows, cuts.

Treatment of inflamed cuticle

Depending on the nature of the cause that caused the inflammation, treatment methods are determined.

Only a doctor can treat a cuticle affected by a fungus, because self-medication may not only worsen the skin condition, but also cause problems with nails. In addition, with a severe infection, a course of antibiotics is sometimes indicated. And any medications can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.

For flaky cuticles important point for treatment becomes absence. It is after this that the skin dries out and cuts appear, opening access to infections. The most correct solution is to do a non-edged manicure, in which the cuticle is carefully pushed back with a special stick. After any nail care procedures or household work, it is necessary to moisturize the skin around the nails with lotions and creams. And do housework exclusively with gloves.

At the first signs of inflammation around the nail, you should thoroughly wash and dry your hands. If there is pus, it should be removed by light pressure if it is not deep, or compresses should be made using the pulp of aloe leaves to draw it out. Baths with a strong saline solution (white vinegar, Epsom salts) or the use of special ointments will also help. After removing the pus, the wound is disinfected with hydrogen peroxide, cauterized with iodine and covered with a bandage.

You can treat the cuticle after cleansing from suppuration or with minor inflammation around the nail at home or by contacting a specialist. Essential oils are the most popular means for caring and treating the skin around the nails. The most effective are grapefruit, apricot and castor oils. If you do the procedures regularly, the inflammation will go away in a short time, and the nails and skin will become elastic.

To eliminate inflammation and improve the condition of the cuticle you need to:

  • Apply lavender oil around the nail area. It is they that are best used to treat inflamed tissues, as it is a powerful antiseptic.
  • Apply an ointment consisting of calendula flowers and petroleum jelly. For 0.5 cups of dry matter, take 10 grams of Vaseline. After heating in a water bath, the mixture must be infused for 10-12 hours. Then place in a convenient container, after straining.
  • Rub the inside of the grapefruit peel. Thus, the cuticle can not only be disinfected, but also nourished with vitamins.
  • To eliminate dying cells, rub cornmeal into wet fingers once every seven days. This natural scrub is great for cleansing.

Preventive measures

Treatment is always a long and not entirely pleasant process. Therefore, prevention is a necessary set of measures that will get rid of diseases and help avoid complications. To prevent inflammation, you should follow some rules:

  • Pay attention to hand hygiene. Clean off impurities, properly and carefully care for the cuticle, and do a gentle manicure.
  • All actions involving exposure to skin should be carried out with gloves.
  • At the first signs of inflammation or wounds formed, carefully treat and clean the damaged areas.
  • Monitor the moisture balance in the skin, regularly apply moisturizing and nourishing ointments, creams, lotions, make baths and compresses.
  • Do not do a manicure if the cuticle becomes inflamed.

The base of the nail is the most delicate place, easily vulnerable to infections. The only thing that protects it is the thinnest layer of skin - the cuticle. And often the cuticle itself is in danger - both because of household and cosmetic products, and because of internal problems of the body, fungus, bacteria.

Peeling, dryness, and cracked cuticles make hands unkempt; decorative coating of the nail plate will not make them more attractive.

Dry, rough cuticles occur for external reasons: working with chemical solutions without gloves, cheap varnishes and products for removing them, poor-quality manicure tools (scissors, nippers), improper cutting of the cuticle.

Another negative result of dry cuticle and its improper, rough treatment is nail damage. The plate becomes deformed, a dent or waves appear at the base, growths and thickening of the nail appear. In this case, only a professional will help; no varnish will hide the defects. Extended or false nails will only give an external effect - the problem with the nail itself will remain, and the cuticle requires treatment.

Dry cuticle care basics

Should I trim my cuticles or not? Removing dry cuticles is a good method, but short-lived. The new skin will be denser and grow faster. If you have problematic, very thin and weak cuticles, or vice versa, dense and overgrown cuticles, it is better to entrust a manicure to a professional.

Modern alternative - unedged manicure– will save your hands with cracks in the cuticle and hangnails.

However, the effect of a liquid that softens the cuticle on cracked skin around the nail, wounds from hangnails, sometimes gives an unpleasant sensation. In addition, any cosmetic product may become a source of infection.

Treating dry cuticle at home

An unhealthy cuticle is a sign of problems within the body or the action of irritants. For a while it is necessary to give up decorative varnish, trimmed manicure, and working with detergents perform it with gloves - it is advisable to do the latter always, and not just at times of inflammation of the cuticle.

For home care used behind the cuticle essential oils, their mixtures and ointments based on glycerin and oil - castor, apricot, orange, tea tree. Instead of citrus oils, the peel from the fruit itself - orange, grapefruit - is suitable. A natural antiseptic – lavender oil – will help treat cracks, hangnails, and cuticle detachment.

Homemade cuticle cream recipe

  • flowers of calendula, chamomile, sage - 150 grams each;
  • Vaseline – 10 grams.

Instead of three different inflorescences, you can choose two or just one. Mix the ingredients in a saucepan and heat in a water bath until the Vaseline softens. Then remove the mixture from heat, cover with a lid, and leave to infuse overnight. By morning, the Vaseline will harden again, then remove excess water from the surface and reheat the Vaseline to a liquid state. All that remains is to strain, put in a jar - and you can use the ointment.

Dry cuticle causes serious inflammation, which should be treated not at home, but by a dermatologist:

  • infectious inflammation;
  • fungus;
  • paronychia;
  • felon.

Signs of infection, serious inflammation: swelling, redness around the nail, pain, pus. When these symptoms appear, hands should be washed, but without cleansers. After drying your hands, apply antibiotic cream to the cuticle; taking antibiotics orally will also not hurt.

ATTENTION!
What not to do with an inflamed cuticle:

  1. Cracks, hangnails - with these problems you should not touch the cuticle again. You cannot cut with nail scissors; the wounds can become infected.
  2. If there is severe inflammation or redness of the area around the nail, you should not touch the cuticle even with a remover, steam your hands or apply hot masks for your hands and nails.

To reduce the risk of infection through an already injured cuticle, if possible, the wound should be protected with a special plaster. For a therapeutic effect, apply a few drops of orange or tea tree to the fabric part of the patch.