Why burrs appear and how to get rid of them

Where do burrs come from?

The main reason for the appearance of burrs is dry skin, which occurs with frequent contact with water, household chemicals, paper, as well as in the wind and frost. An unbalanced diet, or rather a deficiency of fats and vitamins A and E, can also be to blame for the lack of moisture.

Those who like to bite their nails also suffer from burrs, as this ugly habit weakens the nail bed and leads to micro-trauma to the skin around the nail plate.

A poorly done manicure can also play a role, especially if the cuticle has been cut.

Finally, the state of health in general and the digestive system in particular plays an important role.

If you follow your diet, take care of your hand skin and do not have the habit of biting your nails, and the burrs still do not go away, this is a good reason to see a doctor.

How to prevent burrs

The best prevention is to protect your hands from anything that dries your skin, as well as the regular use of moisturizing cosmetics. Therefore, it is advisable to do all housework with rubber gloves and apply cream to your hands as needed, not just before bed.

Make sure your diet contains foods rich in fats and vitamins: fish, vegetable oils, nuts, vegetables, fruits and herbs.

Do hygienic manicure regularly, preferably unedged. Instead of cutting off the cuticle, rub a special oil into it and gently push with an orange stick to the base of the nail. If you can't completely abandon edged manicure, do it as rarely as possible so that the skin has time to recover.

Don't bite your nails. This not only leads to the formation of burrs, but also increases the risk of infection of the wound with bacteria living in the oral cavity. And getting bacteria into your mouth from your hands can have very unpleasant consequences.

Give preference to acetone-free nail polish remover. Products with ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol and propylene carbonate do not dry the skin as much. It's good if the liquid contains glycerin or oil extracts.

Do not overuse quick-drying nail polishes, as they not only quickly harden on their own, but also instantly dry the skin around the nail.

How to remove burrs correctly

If it is too late to engage in prevention and unpleasant pieces of dry skin are puffing up on your hands, then there is nothing left but to get rid of them. But deleting doesn't mean biting off, ripping off, or ripping off. Here's how to do it right:

Soak your fingers in a tub of warm water and a few drops of vitamin E or olive oil.
Use sharp scissors or nail clippers to cut the burr flush with the skin. Do not pull or jerk: this may injure the skin. And try not to cut off too much so that a wound does not form.
Lubricate the cut with antibacterial ointment: this will prevent infection and speed up healing.
If you had to remove a large burr that has torn off the skin, cover the cut with a plaster.
If you don't need a patch, moisten the cut. For this, vitamin E or a moisturizer is suitable. Apply the product several times throughout the day, especially after contact with water.

What happens if you run burrs, and how to treat it

A burr not processed in time can lead to inflammation of the nail fold, also called paronychia or periungual panaritium. If the skin around the burr is red, swollen, or festering, this indicates a bacterial or fungal infection.

In the initial stage of inflammation, when the area around the burr is reddened and slightly swollen, warm water baths can help. They need to be done 2-3 times a day.

If after 3-4 days the inflammation persists or progresses, you should consult a doctor. Most likely, you will be prescribed a course of antibiotics, and if suppuration occurs, drainage of the infected skin area may be required.

If you are diagnosed with fungal paronychia, you will be prescribed the appropriate anti-fungal drugs.