Care of the hands and feet. Part 1: Nail problems and how to solve them

Hello steemians, this is me dropping another health topic which will come in series and run for five (5) days. So everyday, I'll drop one topic. Today, it's gonna be all about our nails. Read on, and I hope you learn something from it.

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To a certain extent, you inherit the quality of your nails, but there is a lot you can do to protect and improve them. Even the prettiest hands have problems, and here is advice on how to deal with them.

Broken nails:

One broken nail will stand out and spoil the whole appearance of a well-kept hand. You can buy 'repair' kits for nails which consist of a mending fluid and tissue which is fused or wedged on the broken nail, and then filed into shape. The repair allows the nail to breathe and lasts until the break has grown out.

Artificial nails come in very handy if your nails break quite often. They come in packs with the adhesive to stick them on. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for application.

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Infection of the hands:

This usually occurs between the fingers and around the nails, in the form of a fungus which harbours germs. It is caused by failing to dry the hands properly. Keep your hands dry, but once you have an infection, see a doctor immediately.

Ingrained dirt:

Scatches on the nail's surface, caused by metal files and scissors, or kitchen utensils, will have dirt embedded in them. Soak fingers in warm, soapy water to soften the nails, and use a nail brush to gently scrub out the dirt.

Ragged or split cuticles:

Soak hands in warm, soapy water or cuticle remover. Push cuticles back with an orange-stick tipped in cotton wool (cotton board). Rinse hands with warm water and towel dry. Massage some hand lotion into the cuticles.

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Split nails:

There is no short term remedy for this problem - it is something at which you must work hard over a long period of time. File the nails with an emery board into an oval shape. Ensure that your diet includes an adequate supply of protein, calcium and iron - and always use hand cream - preferably one containing lanolin and white iodine.

Whitlows:

These are like boils, with an abscess forming under or on the side of the nails as a result of hands being in water too long or too often. They are a minor infection, which can develop into a major and very painful abscess, disfiguring the finger and curtailing the nail growth. So do not attempt to treat them yourself: see a doctor.

Finally, always bear this at the back of your mind: Pretty hands are important when you are meeting people.

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Thanks for reading. Stay healthy...keep steeming