To Manicure Or Not ... That Is The Question

Written by Chicagohealers.com practitioner Sharon M

. Weinstein~

Do you keep your nails perfectly trimmed, cleaned and manicured? If your nails aren't perfect, do you cover them up with fake nails or polish? Did you know that ignoring such signs as imperfections could be dangerous to your health?

The eyes, skin and yes, the nails, are excellent indicators of what's going on inside your body. If your nails are healthy (smooth and pink with a slightly curved surface and free of discoloration/spots), your body is probably pretty healthy too. But if your nails are discolored, brittle or otherwise appear unhealthy, it may be because of an underlying health problem.

Your nails "" composed of laminated layers of a protein called keratin "" grow from the area at the base of the nail under your cuticle. As new cells grow, older cells become hard and compacted and are eventually pushed out toward your fingertips.

"The nails can be windows to a patient's overall health, and while the nail itself is dead tissue, the areas under the cuticle and beneath the nail are alive," said dermatologist Richard K. Scher, M.D., professor of clinical dermatology at Columbia University in New York City.

Note these signals that your nails may be sending your way:

# Yellow or bluish discoloration: may signal diabetes, a breathing or liver problem

# Pitting: may indicate psoriasis or dermatitis

# Clubbing: may signal lung disease

# Spoon shape: may require a check for anemia

# Horizontal indentations: a sign of malnutrition

# Separation from the nail bed: related to injury, thyroid problem, fungal infection, or the chemicals used in nail salons offering acrylic nails.

# White, crumbly nails: possible fungal infection

# Tiny white spots: occur frequently and do not present a problem; they will grow out as your own nail grows

And, what can you do to create awareness and avoid problems:

# Eat a balanced diet that includes B and C vitamins

# Drink a sufficient amount of water

# Keep nails clean and dry. This helps prevent bacteria and other infectious organisms from collecting under the nail.

# Cut nails straight across, rounding them slightly at the tips for maximum strength

# Keep nails shaped and free of snags by filing with a "fine" textured file

# Avoid biting fingernails, and do not remove the cuticle

# Trim toenails regularly to keep them short to minimize trauma

# Soak feet in warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt per pint of water) for five to 10 minutes when toenails are thick and difficult to cut, then apply urea or lactic acid cream. This softens the nails, making them easier to trim

# Avoid "digging-out"ingrown toenails, especially if they are already infected and sore. See a dermatologist or podiatrist for treatment

# Wear shoes that fit properly and alternate pairs

# Report any irregularities to your physician, especially if you have diabetes

Your physician is often your best resource for nail conditions that may be signaling something more"

Sources:

"Fingernails and Nutrition"

"Healthy Nails and Cuticles"

MayoClinic.com/Health/Nails

ChicagoHealers.com mission is the education and advocacy of natural medicine and a holistic lifestyle.

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by: ChicagoHealers

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