Cosmetic Nail and Cuticle Problems
Poor Manicure Can Cause Nail Peeling Splitting, Hangnails, Stains
May 15, 2009
Well maintained fingernails look good and help you feel great, but they are extensions of the skin and are just as easily damaged. Nails are made of keratin, one of the body’s strongest tissues, but they are surprisingly vulnerable to careless treatment.
Cuticle Care Helps Prevent Nail Damage
Many nail problems begin in the cuticle – not surprising, as this where new nail growth appears. White spots are a common nuisance. They are usually caused by minor damage to the nail, including too much prodding and poking of the cuticles. Avoid pushing back the cuticles when giving yourself a manicure and the spots should disappear, though it can take six months for new nail to grow from base to tip.
Hangnails, ridges and pits can also result from rough use of manicure tools. Remove hangnails with sharp cuticle scissors (never bite them off), then regularly massage in a cuticle moisturizer to help prevent them in future. Ridges and pits can occur when growth at the cuticle is interrupted. They will grow out in time, though they can have other causes that you might want to see your doctor about (see below).
Nail Polish and Acrylic Nails Can be the Problem, Not the Cure
You might decide to apply nail colour or false nails to hide cosmetic flaws, but these can cause problems of their own. Prolonged use of coloured nail polishes can cause yellow staining, though this can be avoided by applying a clear base coat.
More seriously, constant use of polish can interfere with the natural evaporation of moisture through the nails, and this can create the ideal conditions for nail fungus to grow. Peeling, thickening and even loss of the nail can follow, so it is important to see your doctor if any discoloration spreads over the surface of a nail. Acrylic nails can have the same effect. If you use artificial nails, always remove them carefully to avoid damaging the nail plate.
Proper Manicure Aids Nail Beauty and Health
A few simple rules can help you achieve beautiful nails without problems. Always make sure your manicure tools are clean before you start. Keep your nails short and follow the natural curve of the fingertip when filing them; long, pointed nails are more likely to break. Never try to clean under the nail with metal tools – this can cause the nail to separate from its bed, and can lead to infection.
Above all, be gentle. The saying goes "hard as nails", but those nails are delicate structures that need proper care and attention to look their best.
Never Ignore Signs of Fungal Nail Disease or Other Disorders
People often think of nails as ‘lifeless’, but their colour, shape and condition can reflect various health problems.
- Fungal nail disease is common. It spreads from person to person and can cause discoloration, crumbling and thickening of the nail, but is easily treatable with tablets prescribed by the doctor.
- Pitting, thickening and lifting of the nail can be a sign of eczema, or the inflammatory skin condition psoriasis.
- A form of malignant melanoma can develop within the nail, causing dark streaks, pain and bleeding.
- Changes in the shape or colour of the nails can indicate problems with the circulation, the lungs or even the liver.
Most nail problems are harmless and easily treated by attention to hygiene and proper nail care. If you are worried about any problem, however, do not hesitate to see your doctor for advice.
For Beautiful Hands, be Kind to Your Nails
You may think your nails are in urgent need of attention when you spot a cosmetic problem such as peeling or a hangnail, but this is not always the case. A gentle manicure, done with care and using the proper tools, always gives better results than hasty prodding and poking.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
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