Minor irritant

[sg]

Is there a name for the tiny threads of skin above the cuticles that lift up in cold weather, seemingly specifically designed to catch on woolly clothes and gloves?

[mrs_overall]

The technical name is paronychia but they are more commonly known as whitlows.

[sara3]

get some cuticle pliers and snip them short. don't pick, and watch your gloves.

are you a nibbler? I'm thinking... yes!

[Naomicorlett]

whitlows are when these tags lift and allow infection in. An abcess then can develop. Giles the cartoonist nearly always had a scruffy child depicted with a large bandaged finger and an explanation of "Whitlow sir!)

[masterchef]

they are called hangnails or angnails, caused by dry skin or biting or cutting the cuticle.They can be softened with hand moisturiser which relieves the soreness.
masterchef.

[delboy3]

I've heard them called 'Granny's Blessings'

[Solarjunkie]

They are greatly reduced by keeping the cuticles well pushed back - I haven't had them for years since I found that out! Good luck.

[sg]

Thanks for all your answers.
sg