Inflamed cuticles? Here's how to get rid of it quickly

If your cuticles are inflamed, you’ll know just how uncomfortable it feels. Treating this inflammation can be quite tricky, and it often keeps coming back. Here’s how you can treat your inflamed cuticles.

What causes an inflamed cuticle?

An inflamed cuticle is almost always caused by bacteria. These bacteria often enter the skin through a break in the skin, such as a cut or a flake of skin. These are common causes:

Cuts or flaky skin caused by nail-biting or picking
Dry cuticles caused by the cold, cleaning products or frequent hand-washing
Nail-biting or thumb-sucking
Fluid or dirt becoming trapped under or around the nail

Even a small flake of skin or a tiny tear can be enough to cause an infection. You should therefore always pay close attention to your hygiene and any habits that might lead to this.

How long can an inflamed cuticle last?

This inflammation should ideally last no longer than a week. With the right care, the symptoms should improve significantly. It should start to ease within a few days and is usually largely gone within a week. If this isn’t the case, or if the inflammation keeps coming back, it’s important to take extra care of the area.

What should you avoid doing if you have an inflamed cuticle?

There are certainly a number of things you should avoid doing if your cuticle is inflamed. Some habits can actually make the inflammation and painful cuticle worse. You should avoid doing the following:

Cutting or removing the cuticles, even with special clippers or scissors
Picking at your fingers
Squeezing out pus
Biting or chewing your nails
Using harsh substances such as strong soap, alcohol or acetone
Keeping the area wet

Is it advisable to soak your cuticles if they’re inflamed?

If your cuticles are inflamed, it’s important not to soak them for too long. This includes soaking them in a soda bath, even though this is sometimes recommended. Soaking for a few minutes can sometimes help to remove dirt and soften the skin, but doing this for too long can actually be counterproductive. This is because the skin can become too soft and fragile, giving bacteria a better chance of making the inflammation worse.

nagelriemen ontstoken hand op knie

Source: Pexels

6 things to do if your cuticles are inflamed

1. Keep your hands thoroughly dry and clean

Gently rinse your fingers once a day with lukewarm water. This removes dirt and bacteria. Always dry them thoroughly afterwards to avoid making the condition worse.

2. Use cuticle oil

You can look after your cuticles properly with the right cuticle oil. A nourishing oil such as almond or jojoba oil keeps them supple and prevents dryness and cracks. Gently rub the oil into your fingers, but don’t press too hard if your cuticles are still sore or red.

3. Apply a restorative hand or cuticle cream

Use a cream containing soothing ingredients such as shea butter to help the skin heal. This is important not only to keep bacteria at bay, but also to prevent minor cuts or tears.

4. Use a drawing ointment

A drawing ointment for an inflamed cuticle can help if you’re experiencing pus or a throbbing, tight sensation around the nail. This can help bring the inflammation to the surface. Only use this if other solutions aren’t working well, and cover your fingers with a plaster if necessary.

5. Protect your hands

Do you do a lot of work with your hands? If so, cover your hands whenever possible. For example, wear gloves when gardening, cleaning or washing up. This will prevent your cuticles from becoming damaged or the irritation from recurring.

6. Use red light therapy

Use red light therapy on your fingers. This supports the skin and helps reduce inflammation and irritation. Just a few minutes a day can help treat damaged cuticles, or even prevent them from occurring in the first place.

rood licht therapie apparaat kopen

How does red light therapy help with inflamed cuticles?

Red light therapy helps with inflamed cuticles by stimulating healing. Here’s exactly what it can do:

Reduces inflammation by calming the inflammatory process. This reduces swelling and sensitivity.
It stimulates blood flow, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach the damaged tissue more quickly and speeding up recovery.
It supports the skin cells’ ability to heal, helping small wounds to close more quickly.
It reduces pain and a feeling of pressure.

Red light can be an effective treatment for inflamed cuticles. Not only does it help to alleviate symptoms, but it can even help prevent further inflammation. You can do this yourself at home, for example using the PowerCure Pro laser.

Treating cuticles with PowerCure

The PowerCure Pro laser is a red light therapy device that you can use to treat inflammation. It can therefore also be used to treat or prevent inflamed cuticles. You can treat yourself in just a few minutes a day.

View the PowerCure Pro laser

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