Eli5: How does the skin under my fingernails know to “let go” of the nail once it reaches the end of the finger?

Question

I’ve got a hangnail right now…. I can either rip it off now and deal with the pain, or just wait for it to grow out and then it just lets go somehow.

In: 155

Answer 1

Don’t rip out your hangnail — Get a pair of [cuticle nippers](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Metal-Nail-Manicure-Cuticle-Nippers-Scissors-Trimmer-Beauty-Tool-Silver-Tone/47592489) to snip them off. It will save you a LOT of pain.

Another [example](https://www.amazon.com/Manicurist-Extremely-Effortless-Clippers-opove/dp/B07S3PJ348).