Have you always wondered how to treat problem nails? If so, this article will help you recognize the problem and give you some proven tips on dealing with problematic nails.
Nails are one of the hardest parts of your body, but they are also very fragile parts at the same time. The day to day pressure you put your nails under can lead them to develop some irritating and potentially serious health issues. One of the more annoying issues nails face is peeling.
Peeling Nails
Peeling nails are caused by a number of different ways and, while they are not really a serious issue, they can cause damage to how you feel about your appearance. However, there are ways to deal with peeling nails once you know the cause of the problem.
What is Onycholysis?
Medical professionals call the condition of peeling nails Onycholysis. While the name may make it sound serious, it sounds worse than what it really is. It is not a painful condition but you should determine why it has occurred in the first place.
Irritation:
Most women will treat their skin and hair as though they are made of fragile material and often think that because nails are tough they don’t need to be looked after so much as these other parts. However, nails are often abused by nail polish treatments, adhesives and false nails. In time, these treatments can cause the nails to become irritated, resulting in peeling nails.
Long Nails:
When you grow your nails to a long length you may find that you develop peeling nails. This is because when the nail grows longer they actually rise up from the finger-bed and this develops in peeling nails. It is the most common cause of peeling nails known to women.
Local dermatitis
Nails can develop local dermatitis, usually due to contact with harsh chemicals. These include strong detergents and keeping your hands in hot soapy water for extended periods of time.
How to Treat Peeling Nails?
The first thing you want to make sure you are doing is not overusing your nails. Although your nails are very tough, they are not meant to be used as prybar. So, stop using your nails to open things like soda. Using something like a quarter or your car key will open your soda cans just fine and you won’t be damaging your nails.
Also, make sure if you are doing any gardening or deep cleaning to always wear gloves to protect your nails from soil and harsh chemicals. Not only will the soil break down the barrier of your nails, but nobody want to see yucky, dried dirt under your fingernails.
If your nails are already peeling, try soaking them in olive oil for 10 minutes a day. Do this for a month at first to see how your nails respond. Then, if you need more healing, you can continue to soak them in olive oil for 10 minutes a couple of times a week. You should really start to see your nails begin healing if you will do this simple home remedy.
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As we all know, diet can help or hurt your entire body and it is no different for your nails. Biotin rich foods like avocados and eggs will help strengthen your nails. You may need to take a biotin supplement if your nails are badly damaged. Just make sure to read the recommended daily dosage.
Lastly, use cuticle cream every day! Dry cuticles can lead to cracking and nail infections. So, make sure you are using a quality cuticle cream and really massage this into your cuticles and nail beds.
Ingrown Toenails
Both painful and incredibly annoying, ingrown toenails are the bane of foot problems. In addition to this, they can also lead to the sufferer developing several different types of infections. There are several reasons why people develop ingrown toenails but the most common reason is because they simply cut the toenail in the wrong way.
However, you do not need to suffer in silence any more. If you suffer from ingrown toenails and are too embarrassed to see a doctor about it, there are ways that you can treat it at home safely.
The first thing you need to do when treating an ingrown toenail at home is to ensure that you keep it as clean as possible. Exposure to dirt means increasing your chances of developing an infection in the toenail. If you do have an infected toenail then you must consult your doctor ASAP.
At the first signs of an ingrown toenail you should take action. All you really need to do is to take a clean pair of toenail clippers and cut a small V shape in the middle of the nail. This allows the nail to grow in the correct direction on its own. You should see the results within a few days.
To avoid getting an ingrown toenail in the future, remember to always cut the nails straight across – never cut them in a curve as this makes the nail believe that it should be growing in the wrong direction. Do not make the mistake of filing them across either, as this has the same negative effects.
Weak Nails
It can be incredibly frustrating to have soft brittle nails. Bending them back and forth may be fun initially but it is annoying not to have good strong and healthy nails when you see other people with them. Sometimes your nails will break when they get to a certain length.
This is a very common problem, so if you are suffering from it do not despair. There are ways in which you can help strengthen your nails at home without having to spend a fortune at the beauty salon.
You need to start taking care of your nails. Don’t use them as a means to type on the computer or to open cans. Use an utensil or another tool; with typing, you should use the pads of your fingers instead of your nails.
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Before you plunge your hands into the washing-up, apply a thick layer of strengthening hand and nail cream before putting on a pair of rubber gloves. The hot water will help lock all the moisture from the cream into your hands and nails, making it more effective.
Buff your nails gently with the shiny side of the buffer, but take care that you are not too rough with it. Be as gentle as possible.
If you DIY gel nails regularly, make sure that you use an acetone free nail polish remover, as this is much easier on your nails than an acetone based remover. Use a strengthening nail polish when you go to paint your nails, and always use a strengthening base coat.
Toenail Fungus
One of the most common beauty problems we face in society today is nail fungal infections. Toenails rather than fingernails are more affected and can cause health problems if left untreated for an extended period. On top of this, it is just not nice to look at.
Nail fungal infections belong to the dematophyte family and breeds in warm, moist and dark areas of the body. This is why they thrive in toenails due to long periods of time when they are stuck in a pair of enclosed shoes.
You can tell if you have a nail fungal infection by the different symptoms which appear. Initially you will see just a whitish spot but other symptoms will raise their ugly heads. These include discolored and/or brittle nails, an irregular crusty layer, darkening of the nails, dull nails and pain under the nails.
At first you may not notice any discomfort but after a while it can get uncomfortable and even painful as it develops into a full-blown infection.
You can get treat a toenail fungal infection by several different means. An oral anti-fungal treatment can be prescribed by the doctor. It involves taking a pill every day for several months to get rid of the bacteria. Treatment will last for at least four months and even up to a year in order to see an improvement.
A topical anti-fungal treatment can be purchased at the pharmacy but on its own it will not eliminate the fungus. Alone, it can certainly help improve the look of the nail but you need to combine it with an oral anti-fungal treatment to completely destroy the bacteria.
If the problem is so severe and anti-fungal treatments, antibiotics and painkillers are not enough to kill the bacteria then your doctor may recommend removing the entire toenail.
If you think you have a toenail fungal problem, you should consult your doctor ASAP to start treatment right away or else you may develop a serious medical problem.
Hopefully this article has taught you how to treat problem nails on your own or when you should go see a professional. Use these tips and you will have healthier nails within weeks.
