nail care

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Keep your nails out of your mouth! Biting nails can damage the nail and the cuticle leading to a deformed nail shape or uneven nail growth. You can also transfer harmful organisms to the nail that lead to infection or even increase one's chance of catching a cold or flu.

Nail problems

Bacteria

Often referred to as mould though the infection is actually caused by a bacteria. It gives a green, greenish-black or yellowish-green colour stain on the nail bed so this problem is also called as 'greenies'. This bacteria thrives in a warm and moist environment. The problem area is between the artificial nail and natural nail where moisture can be trapped if the artificial nail has not been fixed properly.

Biting habit
One popular way is to apply awful tasting liquids to the nail. One popular method is the application of neem juice on the fingertips. This method is suitable for children. Another alternative is to go for a professional manicure to get your nails looking really good and so perhaps that will refrain you from giving in to that biting urge.

Black or purplish colour
May be due a traumatic injury to the nail (e.g. smashing) and would recover to its original colour after healing is completed. Also linked to liver disease.

Consumption of foods rich in EFA such as fish (salmon, herring, halibut and mackerel), seeds and zinc-rich foods such as whole grains, egg yolk, seafood and meat. Certain health conditions could also turn nails brittle.

Clubbing
Nails become enlarged and rounded. This could also be due to lung and heart diseases that cause a depletion of oxygen in the blood, and bowel disease.

Fungus infection
It is caused by microscopic organisms related to mould, yeast and mildew. Symptoms include itch, skin dryness, pain, blisters and the loosening of the nail plate. Nail fungus may spread when footwear is shared. Try applying affected nails with grape seed extract twice a day and keep nails short.

Ingrown nail
Results when corners of the nail curves into the skin on the side of the toe. There are some people born with ingrown toenails.

Pale colour
If nails look much lighter than the accompany skin, it may be due to a lack of iron or an underactive blood circulation. Consume more whole grains and green leafy vegetables.

Thick toenails
A variety of causes that includes fungal infection, psoriasis and injury.

Warts
These are skin growths caused by viruses. These warts grow around and under the fingernails and toenails. Common warts usually grow on the backs of hands, on arms, elbows and face while plantar warts grow on the soles of the feet and they're tiny black dots in them, which are actually clotted blood vessels.

Whitish spots
A lack of zinc or excess consumption of sugars. Cut your sugar intake and opt for zinc-rich foods such as whole grains, pumpkin seeds, egg yolk, seafood and meat.

Yellow stains
The 2 common culprits are nicotine stains from smoking and overuse of nail polish. The respective solutions are to either stop smoking or give your nails a polish-free break once in a while. It is also associated with diabetes, liver problems and lymph disorders.

Manicure at home

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• What you need: Salt or sugar, liquid soap, warm water, Olive oil or Vitamin E oil, moisturising cream or Vaseline, plastic wrap, old toothbrush, hand towel, cuticle cutter, nail buffer, nail clipper
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• You can also have nail paint remover, nail paint of any colour, cotton balls, cuticle cream, antiseptic ointment and towels.
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• If you want to apply polish as part of your manicure, schedule enough time to let the polish dry, at least 30 minutes. At-home manicures require an initial investment in tools and polish. But it's all fairly inexpensive and can be purchased at beauty parlours or medical shops.
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