Hang in There

Today I would like to talk a little bit about hangnails, yes those sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes fun to pick at little beasties on the sides of your fingernails!

Contrary to what we call them, “Hang Nails”, they are actually pieces of skin! Skin that has dried and separated from around the fingernail or cuticle area (see illustration).

Now there is one main way to prevent hangnails, and that is by not letting your hands dry out, this is especially hard during these summer months, as you may or may not know about already, I personally did not know about this, because frankly, I've never thought about it.

A way of keeping your hands from drying out is by wearing a plastic kitchen glove filled with water and tied around the wrist with either string or a rubber band. This is an age-old Tinos family home-remedy for beautiful looking hands, that is why you've never ran into a Tinos family member with disgusting hangnails that catch on clothing articles.

A more conventional method is by applying moisturizing lotion to your hands frequently throughout the day. The choice is yours, but don't come crying to me if the latter doesn't work worth a damn.

If you find yourself stuck with a hang nail even still, the “best” way to get rid of it, as prescribed by “Alice” (from http://www.goaskalice.com) , is:

“As soon as you notice a hangnail, soften your skin by soaking your hands in a water-and-oil solution. Then trim the hangnail with a pair of sterile, sharp cuticle scissors. This will help deter the nagging tendency to want to pick at or chew off a hangnail, which can create a bigger tear and increase your risk for infection.” ( http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2340.html )

I however, enjoy biting and ripping them out with my teeth then I spit them somewhere in the room. They will never be found. This process is a lot quicker and more efficient.

Now, a manly song for a typically womanly topic: The Offspring - Nitro

the itunes generation keepin the ball rollin, constantly!