This article was co-authored by Lindsay Yoshitomi. Lindsay Yoshitomi is the nail artist behind the blog, Lacquered Lawyer. She was featured as one of Nail It! magazine’s “Bloggers You Should Know,” and has been on the cover of Nail Art Gallery Magazine. She has been practicing nail art for over 15 years.
There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Itchy, irritated cuticles are definitely annoying. You're probably wondering what’s causing the problem, how to stop the itching, and what can prevent it from happening in the future. Luckily, we’re here to help! Here are the answers to your most common questions about treating itchy cuticles and making them a thing of the past.
Steps
Why are my cuticles itchy?
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The two most common causes are an infection or allergic reaction. These both come from different sources. Neither is especially serious, but they can be uncomfortable and annoying. Luckily, both cases are pretty easy to treat from home.
- An infection, also called paronychia, happens when bacteria or fungi gets under the skin around your cuticle. This could be acute (short) or chronic, depending on what’s causing the infection.[1] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- An allergic reaction is usually from acrylic nail products like artificial nails. If you have sensitive skin or an allergy, these products will cause itching and swelling in the spots that they touch.[2] X Research source
How do I make the itching stop?
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The solution is different depending on if you have an infection or allergy. Before trying any treatment, check your symptoms and determine whether an infection or allergic reaction is causing the problem. When you narrow down the cause, then you can try some remedies.
- For an infection, soak your hands or feet in warm water 3-4 times a day until your nails heal. This this soothing and should help cut down the itching, pain, and inflammation.[3] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- For an allergic reaction, remove the fake nails or nail polish that you have on. This stops the allergen from irritating your skin. Then use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to fight the irritation.[4] X Research source
How do I tell the difference between an allergy and infection?
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Allergies and infections have different symptoms. While both can cause itching, the other symptoms will distinguish them from each other.
- Infections cause redness, swelling, and pain around the base of the nail. You might also have pus-filled abscesses in infected spots. It’s less common for an infection to happen on multiple nails at once.[5] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
- An allergic reaction usually starts shortly after exposure to the irritant, so if you’ve recently had nail work, this is a good possibility. Itching, swelling, and redness are the most common symptoms, and the reaction will probably be around multiple nails at once.[6] X Research source
How do I prevent this from happening again?
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The best way to avoid cuticle problems is with good nail hygiene. Whether you had an allergy or infection, some basic steps can help prevent this from happening again. Follow these nail care steps to keep your cuticles healthy.[7] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Keep your nails clean and dry them thoroughly to stop bacteria from growing.
- Trim your nails straight across and round the corners gently.
- Moisturize around your cuticles to prevent irritation.[8]
X
Expert Source
Lindsay Yoshitomi
Nail Artist Expert Interview. 12 July 2019. - Avoid biting and picking at your nails and cuticles.
- Wear gloves when handling chemicals or soap.
Is it normal to have irritated cuticles after a manicure?
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No, irritated cuticles are not normal after a nail treatment. Any type of itching, swelling, or redness means that something's wrong. These are usually signs of a reaction to the chemicals that the tech used.[9] X Research source
- You can also pick up an infection from a manicure or pedicure if the nail tech used contaminated tools.
- An allergic reaction to skin products is usually not dangerous and only causes some itching, redness, and irritation. However, if the irritation is painful or you feel like you're having trouble breathing, call your doctor.
Should I stop getting my nails done if I have an allergy?
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Not necessarily, but you do have to avoid acrylic products. There’s no need to stop doing your nails or having nail appointments. However, be sure to avoid fake nails or gels with acrylic. This should prevent any future allergic reactions.[10] X Research source
- Normal nail polish doesn’t have acrylic in it, so you can still paint and polish your nails if you want to.
- If you go in for a manicure or pedicure, tell the nail tech that you have an allergy to acrylic so they don’t use something that will irritate your skin.
- If you’re a nail tech yourself, then wear gloves while you’re working to protect yourself.[11] X Research source
I’ve never had an acrylic allergy—why did it start now?
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Allergies can start at any point without warning. The fact that you weren’t allergic to something in the past doesn’t mean you can’t develop an allergy now. Even if you’ve used something for years with no trouble, it’s possible to develop an allergy at any time.[12] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
- Long-term exposure to nail chemicals might actually make you more sensitive over time. If you get manicures regularly or work as a nail tech, it’s not strange to suddenly develop an allergy.[13] X Research source
Can this happen on my feet too?
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Yes, you could have an infection or reaction on your hands or feet. If you normally get pedicures or apply nail products to your toenails too, then this is definitely a possibility. Luckily, the symptoms and treatments are also the same, so you don’t have to do anything differently.[14] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor.org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
Do I need to go to the doctor?
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If you don’t feel better within a few days, then yes. Whether you have an infection or allergy, the problem usually clears up within a few days of home care. If you don’t notice any improvement, or the problem gets worse, then it’s time to see your doctor for further treatment.
- If you have an infection, your doctor will probably prescribe an antibiotic cream or pill to kill the bacteria. If a fungus is causing it, then they’ll use a topical or oral antifungal medication.[15] X Research source
- For allergies, your doctor will probably try prescription creams like corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation.[16] X Research source
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I heal the skin around my cuticles?Lindsay YoshitomiLindsay Yoshitomi is the nail artist behind the blog, Lacquered Lawyer. She was featured as one of Nail It! magazine’s “Bloggers You Should Know,” and has been on the cover of Nail Art Gallery Magazine. She has been practicing nail art for over 15 years.
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Warnings
- While cuticle removal is a normal nail treatment, this is a bad idea. It lets bacteria into your nail bed and could cause infections. It’s best to avoid removing your cuticles altogether.[18] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/paronychia/
- ↑ https://www.bcm.edu/news/allergic-reaction-to-artificial-nails
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/paronychia/
- ↑ https://www.bcm.edu/news/allergic-reaction-to-artificial-nails
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/paronychia/
- ↑ https://www.nailsmag.com/390382/when-your-body-betrays-you
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954
- ↑ Lindsay Yoshitomi. Nail Artist. Expert Interview. 12 July 2019.
- ↑ https://www.bcm.edu/news/allergic-reaction-to-artificial-nails
- ↑ https://www.bcm.edu/news/allergic-reaction-to-artificial-nails
- ↑ https://www.nailsmag.com/390382/when-your-body-betrays-you
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/adult-food-allergies
- ↑ https://www.nailsmag.com/390382/when-your-body-betrays-you
- ↑ https://familydoctor.org/condition/paronychia/
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/paronychia.html
- ↑ https://www.bcm.edu/news/allergic-reaction-to-artificial-nails
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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