A sliver of cuticle that is loose from around the edge of the finger nail.
A piece of torn skin at the side of a nail.
A narrow, loose strip of skin near the base of a fingernail in the region of the cuticle. Tearing the fragment usually produces a painful, easily infected sore.
A splitting of the skin (cuticle) at the side of a fingernail. In manual workers it is usually caused by trauma, but ischaemia of the fingers may predispose to the condition. Secondary infection and inflammation may make hang-nail a very tender condition; treatment consists of reducing trauma, and the use of emollients and antibiotics if necessary.
Partly detached piece of skin at the root or lateral edge of the finger or toenail.
A condition in which the living tissue surrounding the nail plate splits or tears.
A hangnail is a sliver of skin that has been ripped from the side or base of a fingernail, revealing a sensitive, painful patch. This typically happens when the skin on the fingers becomes dry due to regular contact with water. Another frequent cause is nail-biting. If the hangnail isn’t clipped off and shielded until it recovers, it might turn into paronychia, an infection of the skin fold surrounding the nail.
A small piece of skin near the base of the nail that can become inflamed and infected, possibly leading to a whitlow. This condition is often caused by repeatedly picking at the skin.