ozzybug
03-04-2008, 12:43 PM
Hello all-
I don't post much in this section, but I have a question. Please forgive me in advance if it's really rediculous, but if I don't ask, I won't know.
Sometimes on my middle fingers and on my pinky toe, I get a little "thing" that grows. It looks and feels like a sliver of nail, and it isn't actually attached to anything other than the actual point of origination, down at the base of the nail.
These growths are usually not soft like cuticle or skin, but rather more hard like a fingernail and again, are just "slivers". They catch on clothes and such and are pretty painful if just pulled off. If I cut it down as short as possible, it still catches on clothes and becomes red, irritated and feels warm to the touch and kind of swollen/inflamed.
Are these things actually nail material, or a thick cuticle overgrowth? I will add that it's not only the middle finger and pinky toe, but does happen sometimes on other nails, but more often than not the middle finger & pinky toe.
Thanks in advance for not laughing at what may be a silly quesiton. :D
I don't post much in this section, but I have a question. Please forgive me in advance if it's really rediculous, but if I don't ask, I won't know.
Sometimes on my middle fingers and on my pinky toe, I get a little "thing" that grows. It looks and feels like a sliver of nail, and it isn't actually attached to anything other than the actual point of origination, down at the base of the nail.
These growths are usually not soft like cuticle or skin, but rather more hard like a fingernail and again, are just "slivers". They catch on clothes and such and are pretty painful if just pulled off. If I cut it down as short as possible, it still catches on clothes and becomes red, irritated and feels warm to the touch and kind of swollen/inflamed.
Are these things actually nail material, or a thick cuticle overgrowth? I will add that it's not only the middle finger and pinky toe, but does happen sometimes on other nails, but more often than not the middle finger & pinky toe.
Thanks in advance for not laughing at what may be a silly quesiton. :D
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Marti
03-05-2008, 09:11 AM
They are hangnails (actually spelled 'agnail'). They are not actually part of the nail unit, but hardened skin that grow laterally to the nail plate. Do not pull them off as they can easily tear good skin and cause bleeding, inflammation, pain and sometimes infection. Go to your local Sally Beauty Supply and get some Cuticle Remover. Apply daily to the effected area. Since this 'skin' is not living flesh, the remover will dissolve them. Regular weekly manicures will help to prevent them.
ozzybug
03-05-2008, 01:20 PM
Thank you for clearing that up for me Marti. I appreciate it so much and am going to do as you suggested. I'm glad to know what these are and how to properly take care of them!!
Have a great day! :)
Have a great day! :)