What should a technician do if a client has a hangnail?

When a technician encounters a hangnail, the recommended approach is to soak the area and carefully trim it. A hangnail typically occurs when the skin around the nail becomes dry, leading to a small, torn piece of skin that can be painful if it catches on something or is accidentally pulled. By soaking the area, the technician can soften both the hangnail and the surrounding skin, making it easier and safer to trim the hangnail with a pair of sanitized nail scissors or cuticle nippers.

Trimming the hangnail helps prevent further irritation and potential infection, as an untreated hangnail can become inflamed or infected if it gets snagged or if bacteria are introduced. This approach is also consistent with proper nail care practices, which prioritize both the health of the natural nail and the surrounding skin.