Healthy Nails - Tips for Do's and Don'ts and How to Better Care for and Treat Problem Nails

HEALTHY FINGERNAILS

Don’t overlook fingernail health.

How do I know if my nails are healthy?

Look at your nails, do they look healthy, are they smooth with no dips or indentation, do they have a uniform color with no fading, different color spots or discoloration. Did their regular shape or color change?

To maintain healthy nails, we must take care of our nails. A good nail care routine is simple and helps keep our nails in good condition. Beautiful nails is part of our outer presentation. We all want to present the best image of ourselves.

In this blog, we will explore the do’s and don’ts for healthy nails. But first, did you know that the appearance of our nails is the body’s natural warning indicator that something more problematic may be going on in our body? But generally, and for most of us, nail issues and concerns are the result of external factors such as over washing our hands or simply neglect in keeping our nails clean and dry to prevent bacteria and other infection-causing agents invading our nails and body. Let’s now explore some tips for and against nailcare habits:

The Do’s:

• Keep fingernails dry and clean. This keeps bacteria and fungus from growing under the fingernails. Constant wetting of the nails can cause nails to split
• Practice good nail hygiene. Use sharp and clean nail trimming/shaping implements
• Use a moisturizer for the nail and surrounding cuticle and skin.
• Use a nail hardener to strengthen nails. Ask a health care professional about Biotin for strengthening weak or brittle nails
• The same tips apply to toenails. Wear flip flops in public showers and pool areas to avoid fungus and other bacteria

The Don’ts:

• Bite your fingernails or pick at your cuticles. Cuticles maintain a prevention barrier between the outside world and the inside of your nail. Biting you nails can also contribute to damaging the nail bed and allow bacteria and fungi to enter
• Pull off hangnails because you are likely to rip off live tissue and cause bleeding. This is very painful. Use a scissor or clipper instead
• Use harsh nailcare products and chemicals. Limit the use of nail polish remover and opt for an acetone-free formula
• Ignore problems. Seek a dermatologist or doctor if a problem persists.

A brief note about manicure and pedicure services. There are many people who enjoy having their fingernails and toenails cared for by a salon. This may and sought to be a good and healthy experience, but it is important to keep in mind that proper hygiene and a well-developed sanitation plan in these environments is key in preventing the spread of germs and other potentially harmful biologicals and substances to our body, skin, and nails. Here are a few things to consider and keep in my mind if planning to have your “nails done” at a salon or other professional:

• Stick to salons that are licensed in the jurisdiction where they are located as well as hire only licensed technicians
• Do not have your cuticles removed – they are there to adhere your skin to the nail plate and create a sealed barrier to prevent nail infections.
• Make sure the technician sterilizes or uses new tools before any procedure being done on you to prevent the spread of bacteria and other pathogens that can lead to an infection
• Ask many questions, for example, how the foot baths are cleaned between uses and if they are sterilized with bleach or other disinfectants before each use

As mentioned above, your nails can be a tell-tale sign of either some external behavior that results in damage to your nails, which is usually corrected with some simple changes in habits, or some more serious underlying health issues. Here, is a summary chart of some nail symptoms and some possible causes and remedies to deal with them:

Nail Health Chart

Chart Source: “From Ridges to Peeling: What These 8 Fingernail Signs Say About Your Health”, Abigail Rasminsky, Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/healthy-nails

Bottom Line:

• Practice good hygiene when it comes to your hair, skin and nails and expect the same when going to professional salons who care for your nails, etc.
• The appearance of your nails can reveal much about your behaviors and overall health. Most of the time, nail issues are caused by external factors that can be easily remedied by changing your habits and behaviors, but sometimes, nail conditions accompanied by more severe symptoms can be an indicator of something more serious, in which case in may be necessary to see a dermatologist or a doctor.
• Some tips on how to keep nails healthy is to eat a balanced diet that contains fruits, vegetables, whole grains and smart protein choices. For some with vitamin deficiencies, a multi-vitamin may help. Exercise is always a good idea as well.

For more in depth information about the information discussed here, please refer to the sources with links and the end of this article.

Blog Information Sources:

• “Fingernails: Do’s and Don’ts for Healthy Nails”, Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954
• “From Ridges to Peeling: What These 8 Fingernail Signs Say About Your Health”, Abigail Rasminsky, Healthline, https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/healthy-nails