Help with Nails

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

Mostly I am happy with my nails. They do often break off right at the quick, but that's probably because I let them get too long. If you look at the picture, the skin next to the middle finger is the problem. It gets hard and overgrown, kinda like a callous. Then I pick at it until it becomes a huge hangnail. I would end up pulling the hangnail out which would then bleed and become painful for a couple of days. Occasionally, it will even become infected. I am now trying not to pull the hangnail out, but cutting it as deep into the crevice as I can get with the clippers, which works but the cycle continues. Any way to get that skin to soften up and stay soft? I use cuticle oil and every night I rub in O'Keefe's Working Hands, concentrating on the nail area. It does this only on the middle finger of both hands. There's nothing I'm currently doing that would explain that. Many years ago, maybe writing a lot since that is where a pencil would rest, but not anymore.

Fressa · ‎03-20-2012

Here's what works for me:

T.I.P.S. cuticle/sesame oil . Just a drop and it moisturizes the skin and nail bed. I use this all over the nail and my toes. Works great

Argan balm --since I have this in the house I'll use this around my nails at night for a deep down treatment. My hands are always in water or duting some DIY project and even with glvoes I seem to have a need for some extra care.

Either of these work great for me. Hope you get the same results.

Sweet_Serenity · ‎01-22-2016

Please, Don't pick at cuticles, protection against bacteria and infections.... comment below speak with a physician.

CatsyCline · ‎07-24-2013

Have you seen a derm? if it gets infected and comes back just never goes away, it may need to be looked at.

luv pzzl · ‎01-23-2012

@Icegoddess I have this exact issue on a couple of fingers. Callous is a good desc, I use "ingrown" too. For the after digging, which I have to do or they hurt like a..., I apply carmex (white pot, yellow lid) a couple times daily. I have thought about seeing a derm. Can't wait for more replies. Good luck with yours. 🤞

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

@luv pzzl , I use a triple antibiotic ointment since I got that infection once.

As far as the comment about picking the cuticle, this is not the cuticle. It is the skin surrounding the nail. And while I know it's bad to pick, something has to be done with the overgrowth or the hardened skin will develop a terribly painful hangnail. BTW, I also get overgrowth like that on the tops of some of my toes.

I have wondered if something with salicylic acid to exfoliate would help, but I don't see anything for the hands/nails that do that.

Drythe · ‎07-09-2011

@Icegoddess

I saw my Derm. a few months ago for a similar issue. He told me that the ‘out grow’ product could change the shape of my nail, and I would likely be unhappy.

His recommendation was to gently buff that skin with a fine emery board as needed, and rub oil into all nails just before bed, every night. He did not specify what oil, had some Rose Hip oil and Have bee using that.

He warned it it could take 3 ~ 6 months and it has been 5, But nails are good, roughness gone. 😀

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras

JeanLouiseFinch · ‎10-03-2011

I've been dealing with something similar and I'm a picker when it comes to the rough skin or a hang nail. which just makes matters worse. I've recently started using a multi collagen peptide powder and trying to be more faithful with using my hand cream. Nails are growing and the surrounding skin is all smooth.

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

@Drythe wrote:
@Icegoddess

I saw my Derm. a few months ago for a similar issue. He told me that the ‘out grow’ product could change the shape of my nail, and I would likely be unhappy.

His recommendation was to gently buff that skin with a fine emery board as needed, and rub oil into all nails just before bed, every night. He did not specify what oil, had some Rose Hip oil and Have bee using that.

He warned it it could take 3 ~ 6 months and it has been 5, But nails are good, roughness gone. 😀

@Drythe, never heard of the Outgrow product, but I don't think I ever would've considered it anyways. I do rub cuticle oil in most nights. Haven't tried buffing with an emery.

depglass · ‎03-10-2010

TIPS is the only reason I have fingernails, period. Without it I end up with nails breaking constantly. TIPS has been a Godsend. I also switched to glass files, mine are OPI from Amazon. They are good to gently file down that hard whatever its called before it becomes a hangnail. I occasionally drop one and break it, but they are worth the extra cost over emery boards. I also use First Aid Beauty Repair Cream as my hand cream most of the time.