Six Tips For Healthier Nails
Your finger and toe nails deserve as much attention as your skin and hair. Their appearance can be an indicator as to your overall health. Here are six tips to keep your nails in tip-top shape!
Don’t bite your nails!
Biting your nails can cause ingrown nails and painful tears to the cuticles. This allows bacteria to be introduced and can cause infection.
Moisturize the nail bed and the cuticle
Moisturizing the nail bed may not help nails grow, but it can make cuticles look better and protect nails from breaking due to dryness and brittleness. Applying cuticle oil around the cuticle helps moisturize the entire nail, which will reduce the incidence of chipping, cracking, and splitting.
Cut your toenails straight across
Cutting your nails straight across, rather than at an angle, will help to prevent ingrown toenails that can be painful and develop into infection.
Wear flip flops at the pool and in public showers
Fungus lurks in public showers and can get into your toenails and be difficult to treat. Wearing flip flops reduces the risk of infections and keeps your feet in better health.
Limit contact with cleaning chemicals
If you are in a profession where frequent hand washing is mandatory, use moisturizer as often as possible and rub a little extra around the cuticles several times a day.
When doing housework or laundry, wear gloves to minimize contact with harsh chemicals, including dishwashing liquid, whenever possible.
Don’t forget your Biotin supplements!
Biotin (a member of the vitamin B family) increases nail thickness and prevents splitting and breakage. Studies have shown that 2.5 milligrams of biotin daily for several months will greatly benefit your nail-health.
If your nails change, swell, or cause pain, see your dermatologist because these can be signs of serious nail problems. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, it’s especially important to seek treatment for any nail problems. If you have questions or concerns about caring for your nails, contact us.
