For other uses, see Hangnail (disambiguation).

A hangnail or agnail is a small, loose, painful strip of torn skin near a fingernail or toenail. Hangnails are usually caused by dry skin or (in the case of fingernails) nail biting, and may be prevented with proper moisturization of the skin.

When attempting to remove a hangnail, additional skin may be painfully ripped off if its attachment is not broken properly. Therefore, hangnails should usually be cut using nail scissors or a nail clipper.

External links

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• Hangnail article from MotherNature.com/The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II

Dermatology | Nails