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| Get strong and healthy nails naturally |
Nails are highly specialized keratin appendages. Beyond their aesthetic value, these structures have an essential physiological function in our body, as they protect the ends of the fingers and toes from physical forces and infections and participate in the precision of touch.
Nails are composed of the nail plate, nail
bed, cuticle, matrix, and lunula, these keratinized structures contain a much
more intricate morphological complexity than might first be imagined. We are
not going to stop at its parts and chemical composition, because what interests
us today is its care and correct maintenance. Nail care is mainly based on
avoiding excessive relative humidity in the environment and the appearance of
local lesions.
Due to the importance and fragility of nails, it is necessary to always keep in mind certain actions that, if carried out regularly, will promote your well-being over time. For this reason, today HEALTHY and FITNESS present you with 18 tips to take care of the health of your nails. Remember: it is not about mere aesthetics, but about a health issue.
Without further
ado, we dive right into the list of tips we have just promised you. Stay with
us, because today we have a lot of fabric to cut and rough edges to polish. Go
for it.
We know that sporting long nails is a relatively widespread aesthetic value in the general population, especially in the female gender. In any case, it is not a coincidence that in many cases access to health centers is prevented if the patient has very long or false nails. Long nails promote the formation of biofilms of microorganisms under them, which can be pathogens and lead to infections. In addition, having these keratinized structures too far from the finger can lead to injuries that break, crack, and even tear the nail.
Toenails: Good toenail care is essential since many
diseases related to the feet come precisely from letting them grow too long, a
bad cut, breaks, and other problems such as fungus. You must bear in mind that
the toenails have to be cut straight and done on the outside of the
finger. This way we will prevent them from becoming encyst and growing
naturally outwards. A bad cut can cause the nail to ingrown, which is
extremely painful. On the other hand, watch the health of your nails and do not
try to hide the marks that appear. Many of them reveal fungal or infection
problems that will not be solved with nail polish. Before masking them, go
to the podiatrist to tell you what treatment you should follow.
Do not round or cut them too much, especially those on the feet. Do it at least once a month and, if possible, immerse them in water beforehand to make it easier. If you cannot do it yourself, ask for help or go to a specialized center.
2.
Use Manicure Scissors Or Nail Clippers:
Cutting your nails, especially toenails,
will be easier and safer if you use specific tools for them, which must also be
clean. When finished, you can also use a file to smooth the edges, but never
round the ends. Filing your nails can also be a good option, again, not just as
an aesthetic value. Filing thick areas reduce the effective surface, on which
pathogens such as fungi can develop, which is why it is an excellent preventive
method against possible infections.
3.
Use of Sweat-Absorbing Socks / Do Not Abuse Gloves:
As you will discover in this and other
tips below, avoiding excessive moisture in the nail environment is key for your
nail’s well-being. An excess of water deteriorates the nail plate and the
cuticle, drying out their structures. In addition, a medium with high relative
humidity is usually correlated with the appearance of fungi and bacterial
colonies. As you may have guessed, this is all a perfect cocktail for nail
infection.
In this case, periodically allowing the hands and feet to perspire is essential to avoid a “stale” and too humid environment.
4.
Limit Nail Painting:
Again, we are facing an aesthetic value
that is widely extended in society. Despite how common it is, experts argue
that when painting the nails they are being covered with a chemical compound
(in many cases with certain toxins in their formula), which can hinder the natural creation of keratin.
This condition is further aggravated if we
take into account the watertight environment in which the toenails are found since perspiration is very difficult between socks and shoes. Therefore,
limiting nail painting to special occasions (especially those of the feet) is a
good idea to maintain their physiological integrity.
The action of eating or biting the nails is called onychophagia, and although it is not a disease, it is treatable and can be eradicated or bearable. Many people bite their nails. It is common and is often done to relieve stress. Nail-biting causes cracking and uneven surfaces, apart from pain and stinging in the exposed skin area. . If a spicule (or chip) has formed on the edge of the nail, do not try to pull it as it can cause a lesion on the skin and lead to the nail infection. In addition to this, this mania can translate into tooth wear, oral bacterial infections, jaw pain, and halitosis. Nail biting, therefore, indicates internal stress or tension. Of course, there are other, much healthier ways to channel stress.
6.
Don't Trim Or Remove Cuticles:
According to dermatologists, there is no good reason to cut the cuticles. If you remove the cuticles, this area is very open and anything can get in there. This could damage the skin around the nail and allow bacteria and fungi to infect and grow. If you develop a bacterial infection in this area, you can prevent the growth of this nail. Trimming your cuticles can also lead to problems in your nail, such as ridges, white lines, or white spots. This is not very aesthetic, but also uncomfortable.
7.
"Let Them Breathe":
Onychomycosis or athlete's foot (fungal
infection of the toenails) is a very widespread disease in the general
population since it is estimated that up to 20% of people between 40 and 60
years old suffer it anywhere and at any time. To prevent this pathology, it is necessary
to let the feet "breathe,” especially after intense physical efforts. You
have to take off your shoes, socks, and rest a bit. Avoid excessive sweating with breathable shoes.
Did you know that we have 250,000 sweat glands in each foot? With that data,
you can imagine how important it is to keep sweating at bay.
8.
Wash Your Hands Regularly:
Washing your hands is essential, not only
for the good of the nails, but also for the rest of the body. Our hands are
true warehouses for bacteria, viruses, fungal particles, and many other
microorganisms.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), you have to wash your hands about 7 or 8 times a day, with an average duration of 20 seconds per session. The most correct thing to do is to use gels with a neutral pH, as this prevents drying of the skin. In addition, special attention must be paid under the nails, to eliminate the remains of bacterial residues and biofilms that form there.
9.
Dry Your Nails Thoroughly After Washing Them:
As we have seen in previous lines, excess
moisture is the enemy of the correct development of the nails. This tip is self-explanatory.
It is important to control sweating, as humidity can facilitate bacterial and
fungal infections. Moreover, remember! No matter how cold it is, never put on a
sock, or shoe without first drying your feet. If your hands are often exposed
to water or chemicals, better wear gloves and wear footwear that allows the foot to perspire.
10.
Skin Nutrition:
The application of moisturizing hand creams also strengthen the nails, as it stimulates their growth, hardens them, softens the cuticles, refines the edges, keeps them healthy, and gives them the necessary lipids to increase their resistance, flexibility, and beauty. Various homemade ointments made from oil, garlic, and lemon juice are positive for the nails, since they prevent the appearance of fungus, nourish them, and give them a shiny and beautiful appearance. For this reason, making an ointment based on these three ingredients and applying it to the nails is an excellent home remedy.
11.
Protect Nails from Chemical Compounds:
While cleaning the house or at times of
exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, it is essential to use double
plastic gloves with an inner cotton lining. In general, any domestic activity
(however anecdotal it may be) requires this type of protection to maintain the well-being of the nails.
12.
Balanced Diet:
Your nails are made up of layers of a protein known as keratin. As the keratin that forms the nails is a protein, which is the same protein found in hair, and therefore, foods rich in proteins will be positive for the health of these structures. Among them, we find red and white meat, salmon, certain seeds, and dairy products. Nails, in particular, can be affected by high B vitamins and become brittle and dull. Some fruits are also key, such as those that contain vitamin C since this prevents nail breakage and favors the absorption of iron. And of course in many types of fruits and vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, avocado, and dried fruits.
13.
Limit the Use of False Nails:
The first and most recurrent risk of false nails are the appearance of fungus, which is caused by humidity; For this reason, when you apply acrylic or synthetic nails, you must verify that they are well adhered to your natural nail, in this way there will be no space for moisture to accumulate and fungus to occur. False nails considerably increase the inner surface of the nail, which is an excellent breeding ground for bacterial colonies, which can lead to infections. On the other hand, it has been mentioned that the second problem that false nails cause is allergies, as some people react to various varnishes, ketones, and glues that irritate the skin or cause other types of reactions. Lastly, and not least for that reason, there is the fact that natural nails are worn because to place the false nails they must even be filed, generating the great thinning of the natural layers of the nails and, consequently, the great probabilities that bend, thus creating pain and even serious injuries. It is best to avoid this cosmetic accessory and only use it on special occasions.
14.
Avoid Walking Barefoot In Humid Public Places:
There are certain places where it is easier to catch fungi and infections, we refer, for example, to those spaces such as in gyms, showers, public swimming pools, changing rooms in stores, saunas, and other areas with very high relative humidity. Avoid stepping barefoot in all those places and be sure to wear proper footwear.
In this sense, it is not too advisable to share shoes with other people. Although if you do, be careful to wear socks or stockings that avoid direct contact with them. Thus, you prevent your nails from going home with a gift in the form of an infection.
15.
Wear Wide Enough Shoes:
Shoes are the favorite accessory for many
of us, and we often get carried away by the aesthetic factor when choosing
them. That has to change! The shoes we wear every day must adapt to our feet anatomically to be able to keep up with our
rhythm. They should leave space around the toes, but not too loose. To do
this, opt for the wide and square toe and, if necessary, wear safety shoes at
work. Also, avoid wearing your socks too tight. It is something that happens that,
people who spend many hours on their feet (hostesses, nurses, orderlies,
vendors ...) must take into account. If we use shoes that do not suit your
nail, your feet and nails will have to adapt to them and this can lead to
chafing, calluses, and even the appearance of bunions.
Wearing anatomical shoes no longer has to mean leaving style aside; you can find collections that combine both.
16.
Take Care Of Your Footwear When You Do Sports:
If you practice physical exercise, walking or hiking often, your footwear must be comfortable and prepared for the type of activity (reinforced toe caps in football, for example). Always, after exercise, pay attention to the hygiene of the feet and keep them dry. The same with the gloves on the hands, which are adequate, do not tighten and reinforced if there is microtrauma as in some jobs or sports.
17.
Moisturize Nails:
Just as you apply moisturizer to your body
or face, you should do the same with your nails. Today there are many
creams on the market, but it may be worth asking the nearest pharmacy or
orthopedic so they can recommend which one is best for our feet. This can be
achieved at your home, by light exposures to olive oil solutions. This practice
will strengthen your nails and give them a brighter shade.
However, how long does it take for the
cream to absorb? This is one of the reasons why, perhaps, we are a bit
more lazy to use a moisturizer on our feet since then we have to wait for it to
be absorbed "without being able" to move. A good idea may be to
apply your moisturizer before bed or when you are relaxing on the couch.
18.
Go To The Podiatrist Regularly:
Above all, if you suffer from diabetes, it
is necessary that you perform routine examinations of your nails to prevent the
ingrown toenail and its possible complications.
Summary
As we have seen in these lines, the 18 tips to take care of the health of your nails are based on two essential pillars: avoiding very high humidity and not promoting the proliferation of microorganisms. Beyond the brilliance and color of the nails, the most important thing in all cases will undoubtedly be to do everything possible so that infections do not appear on any of our body surfaces.
In any case, we have also presented you
with some tips of a more aesthetic nature: nourishing the nails with
moisturizers, making homemade ointments, or immersing them in oil solutions are
not strictly sanitary solutions, but they will also promote greater shine and
shape in the nails aesthetic factors that are still important for the general
individual well-being.
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