What Causes Dry Skin Around the Nails, and How to Prevent It
Hands play a huge role in your appearance. Whether it’s in a meeting or at the store, people often look at each other’s hands. Having bad nails or dry skin may be unpleasant, but cuticle peeling is the worst of them all. Sometimes dry skin in this area can even cause itching or bleeding.
5-Minute Crafts has created a simple guide about dry skin around the nails and how to prevent it.
❗ This article is for information purposes only and doesn’t replace professional advice.
1. What cuticles are
Cuticles are a layer of clear skin located on the bottoms of the fingers. They protect the new nails, which are about to grow, from bacteria and germs getting under them. This area can become irritated easily and should never be cut. Instead, try pushing the cuticle back and trimming the loose skin.
2. What causes dry skin
Dry skin around your nails can be caused by many things. Understanding why it can happen will help you avoid dryness in the future. Here are some typical reasons for this:
- Not using moisturizer
- Nail-biting
- Various medications
- Cold weather
- Nail polish and hand sanitizer
- Washing your hands too often
3. How to prevent it
- Soak your fingers in soapy, warm water for a few minutes. This trick softens the cuticles and will remove all the dirt from your nails.
- Apply cuticle oil or cuticle cream to moisturize them and prevent cracking and dryness.
- Use coconut oil to soothe and strengthen the nail beds.
- Avoid using harsh products, such as nail polish remover, and look for an acetone-free remover.