How to Run With a Hangnail

Hangnails are often painful and can make simple activities like walking or running challenging and uncomfortable. Hangnails occur when the cuticle, which is the skin directly around the nail, dries out. The skin will sometimes tear and become infected, which causes pain. Hangnails are a common side effect of nail biting, which dries out the cuticle. Sweat, pressure and genetics also play roles in the development of hangnails on your toes. Running with a hangnail requires you to carefully treat your feet to limit discomfort.

Things You'll Need

• Mineral oil
• Moisturizer
• Bandage
• Sock

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Instructions

• 1

  Soak your toenails in mineral oil for five to 10 minutes. This helps soften the skin around the nail and can help heal the hangnail and lessen the discomfort.

• 2

  Rinse away the oil after the soak and apply moisturizer to the hangnail to further loosen it and decrease the pain.

• 3

  Apply a bandage around the hangnail to prevent painful friction from the shoe.

• 4

  Wear a sock that is thicker than normal to provide additional padding to the toe.

• 5

  Walk around in your running shoes to gauge the effect of the shoe on the toe. Adjust the tightness of the shoe accordingly to achieve maximum comfort before running.

• 6

  Run with a slow gait to start, and increase speed gradually to reduce abrasion on the nail.