Nail Health

Nail health is very important to keep your nails looking their best and free from infections or disease. To ensure good nail health first start with an overall good diet. A diet rich in calcium, iron, vitamin B and potassium will help in keeping your nails strong and healthy. Also drink plenty of water, your nails can split and become weak without enough water. Keeping your nails clean and dry will improve nail health. Bacteria or other infections can start from the debris and bacteria that collects under your nail or on your cuticle. Nail health during the summer months should not be ignored. Nails can become brittle during the summer months while you are enjoying the fun in the sun and swimming. Sun and chlorine can make your nails brittle. Remember to use moisturizer after swimming and use sunscreen on your hands. Remember your nails are an extension of your body and caring for your nails is just like the rest of your body. Cutting your nails straight across instead of at an angle is recommended. Never cut your cuticle. Hang nails and ingrown toenails can occur when you do not cut your nails and cuticles properly. Remembering to protect your nails is one way to enjoy good nail health. Never bite your nails. This can cause infection and damage to your nails and skin around your nails. Nail biting is not good for your teeth. Wearing gloves while working in the garden is one way to make sure you have good nail health. Water is terrible on your nails, wear gloves while washing dishes or washing the car. Try to protect your nails from harmful chemicals and harsh detergents. Ways to spot nail health problems and ways to help prevent or cure nail health problems. If your nails have become deformed there are a lot of different reasons that may cause this problem. Iron deficiency will cause your nails to become spoon shaped. Your nails may become clubbed, swelling around the ends of your fingers and sometimes your toes if you have a respiratory or heart problem. If you have psoriasis your nails may become pitted. As you get older you may notice that your nails develop vertical ridges this is caused from the mal absorption of Vitamins A, B complex and C, and also calcium, magnesium, zinc and other essential fatty acids. Another nail health problem is discoloration. Reasons for discolored nails can included Anaemia, which will cause very pale nails, Liver Problems, nails turn kind of whitish, Bacterial, your nails will have dark spots in them that resemble splinters, and fungi infections, your nails can turn whitish and soft or even crumble. If you notice white spots are on your nails this can be caused from a deficiency of zinc or Vitamin A. Just remember to prevent any nail health problems protect your nails and keep them clean.