hangnails - A hangnail or agnail is a small, loose strip of torn skin near a fingernail or toenail. Hangnails are usually caused by dry skin or (in the case of fingernails) nail biting, and may be prevented with proper moisturization of the skin. When attempting to remove a hangnail, additional skin may be painfully ripped off if its attachment is not broken properly. Therefore, hangnails should usually be cut using nail scissors or a nail clipper; biting them frequently makes matters worse.[citation needed] You should be careful to cut it all off. Rub hand lotion into the cuticles 2-3 times a day.