Regular nail care will result in nails you proudly wear to work or on a night out. Simple and affordable nail care is possible. According to dermatologist D’Anne M. Kleinsmith MD of William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich., if you are too aggressive in cleaning and maintaining your nails, it could put your typically strong pin at risk from bacterial or yeast infections. Follow these simple tips to keep your nails looking good.
Try Biotin
Dr. Kleinsmith says that people with weak nails may benefit from supplemental a data-component-name=” data-gd wrapped=” href=”https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/biotin.” According to Dr. Kleinsmith, those with fragile nails can benefit from supplementing biotin, a vitamin B. She says that biotin helps strengthen and grow nails. Kleinsmith says she wasn’t born with naturally solid nails but found success by taking biotin daily.
Enjoy Polish
You shouldn’t worry about damaging your nails by wearing nail polish, but you should take a break from it periodically. When you want to take a break from your manicures at home, use an acetone-free remover. Wear gloves when working with your hands (such as gardening or cleaning the house) to better care for your nails. This will protect your polish and keep dirt off your nails.
Moisturize Cuticles
Imagine your cuticles as the caulking that surrounds a bathtub. You can damage your cuticles if you cut too short or push too hard. This leaves the nail bed vulnerable to infection. Kleinsmith recommends moisturizing the cuticles as part of regular nail maintenance to maintain healthy nails. You should be aware of signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, pain, and even pus on your cuticles or nearby skin. Consult a doctor to treat any disease.
Keep your nails trimmed.
Kleinsmith notes that the current fashion is for shorter, neater nails. The long claws are no longer in style. Regularly trimming your nails will help you maintain healthy nails and prevent them from breaking or snagging. The frequency of trimming depends on the rate at which your nails grow. You can use a fine file on the edge of your nails to smooth them out. You can lightly buff your nails’ surface as part of your manicure, particularly if they tend to have ridges.
Use a nail brush to clean your nails.
Women who use long pointed tools to clean under their nails, whether at home or during manicures, risk getting infected. Kleinsmith explains that “women or manicurists are so diligently cleaning under the nails that they end with a sort of gap between the fingernail and the nailbed.” The aggressive care of nails can lead to fungal or bacterial infections. Scrub gently with a nail brush.
Dish Gloves
Immersing your hands in hot soapy water can cause even strong nails to weaken. This is because washing dishes with this method dries out the skin and nails. Wearing gloves while you scrub is an excellent way to protect your nails. Kleinsmith notes that swimmers immersed in cool water don’t seem challenged by their strong nails.
Reduce Manicures
To maintain healthy nails, keep manicures simple. Kleinsmith says, “Save some money.” Get your nail polish off, let them shape it (not too harshly), and get a new coat. Solar nails are a better alternative to acrylic nails. They can cause more infections and a slight chance of skin cancer due to UV light. If you’re going to put your hands under the light, wear sunscreen.
Take Infections Seriously
You’ll probably recognize the signs of a bacterial infection (redness, swelling, and pain), but you might miss the early signs of a nail fungal infection. These include puffy, red, irritated skin around your nail bed. If you’re a person who is prone to bacterial infections (redness and swelling), it may be difficult for you to recognize the early signs that indicate a fungal nail infection. These include puffy, red skin around the nails. If you have a fungal infection, it may be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medications. However, they can sometimes require prescription medication. For optimal nail care, seek medical attention if your nails are in danger.