subject: Avoiding Common Nail Problems With Basic Nail Care Tips [print this page] Proper nail care is very important for many women to avoid any problem and damages. There are some essential ways to prevent the most common nail problems that women experience even without using complicated and expensive treatments.
The Brittle Nails
When you have brittle nails, your nail plates are dry, hard and flaky. You need to properly replenish your keratin cells to maintain their hydration levels as well as the nail's natural fats. These are two of the nail's binding agents which can disintegrate and cause brittleness to the nails.
To prevent this from happening, you should wear gloves when handling chemicals and avoid the frequent application and removal of nail polish using harsh polish removers. This can dehydrate the keratin layers and cause the nails to become brittle. You should also try to massage your nail base using a gentle and rejuvenating cream after dealing with any hangnails so that you will avoid any more loosening of the nails from the plates.
For Ingrown Toenails
Ingrown can sometimes be a painful condition which arises from the improper cutting of the toenails. This can grow into the nail folds and cause redness, swelling and painful toes.
You can treat and avoid experiencing this nail care issue by making sure that you properly trim your toenails and avoid cutting it too short or cut it on the sides. Nail experts explain that you should simply stick to the natural nail alignment when cutting and trimming.
Fungal Infections
Once bacteria are collected under thickened and hardened ingrown toenails, fungal infections can occur. This nail problem can be best prevented when you have a proper hygiene and keep everything clean.
You can use over the counter medications to treat fungal infections. Grisoefulyin can be used on mild cases which ketoconazole can be used when infection involves moderate pain. Severe cases where infection involves much pain, discoloration and broken nail should be taken into medical attention. Once the pain has subsided, the infected fold should be pushed away from the sharp regions of the skin to avoid further damage.
Chipped and broken nails
Women experience having chipped and broken nails when they work with unprotected hands or use the nails as tool in opening tin and others. A nail care tip that can strengthen nails and help prevent this from happening is to have a protein rich diet and to take calcium supplements. You should also use protective gloves when doing household cleaning and using cleaners with chemical ingredients.
To avoid getting any more chipped and broken nails it is advisable to use long handled brushes and mops when cleaning, always wipe your hands off excess moisture and use a good quality hand and nail cream to massage your hands with.
