Categories
BFRB Tips

Use Finger Protectors to Stop Picking Hangnails and Start Healing

A dear friend of mine showed me this great trick of using finger protectors to avoid picking the skin on the fingers. 

The finger protector is a stretchable tube coated with a mineral gel that contains vitamin E and aloe. 

The product’s original purpose is to cushion and protect blisters, corns, or ingrown nails on the toes. Let’s give this product a new purpose to combat dermatillomania on toes and fingers!

I really like this trick because it has three uses at the same time:

  1. The finger protectors form a barrier not to pick my skin.
  2. Simultaneously, the gel moisturizes the nail bed and helps the skin heal better!
  3. The gel softens my skin – this is great, because of my extensive skin picking on my fingers, the new skin always feels a little harder. This drives me crazy because it makes picking even more appealing. 

How to use the finger protectors:

Cut the gel tube into ca. 1 cm (0.4 inches) rings/slices. Now you have not just one finger protector but four or even five!

Slide the finger protectors over your nail beds. The fingertips will be exposed, and since the finger protectors are pretty slim, they won’t restrict the movement of my fingers.

I mainly use these finger guards when I’m working on the computer or when I’m drawing.

Some facts about the finger protector:

  • The gel softens and moisturizes the skin. 
  • The finger protector is not only a barrier to not pick your skin, but it helps it heal as well!
  • The gel contains vitamin E and aloe. Again … healing …
  • The finger protector is washable and reusable.
  • Do not place this product on open wounds!
  • Remove after maybe 1–2 hours to allow the skin to breathe. Try it out yourself!
  • Read the product information on the packaging. Just in case πŸ˜‰

Check out this similar BFRB trick to create a barrier for dermatillomania: finger taping.

Photo of wearing the BFRB finger protector on the index finger
Photo of the finger protector product

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *