How to care for fingernails

Your fingernails help protect your fingers. They can also prove useful for prying, scratching, and a host of other day-to-day activities that you probably take for granted. If you don't care for your nails properly, they can end up dented, ridged, multicolored or worse. The good new is that it's very easy to take care of fingernails.

This article will cover the basics on how to care for fingernails, including trimming, polish, manicures and more. Read on to learn more about how to care for fingernails.

Trimming and cleaning fingernails

A clipper, nail scissors, emery board, or file may be used for trimming fingernails. Emery boards are helpful for smoothing jagged edges, and can be purchased very inexpensively at drug stores. Nail files are somewhat more costly, but they last longer. Use clippers over a sink or trash can, so pieces won't be lost on the floor or carpet if they fall. Fingernail trimming is less difficult immediately after showering. Their edges should be mildly rounded when trimmed.

It is important to keep the area under your nails free from bacteria, dirt, and other substances. Do not use any implement which might cut skin under the fingernail. To avoid cleaning fingernails as frequently, put on rubber gloves before doing a task which usually gets the nails dirty, and keep them trimmed relatively short.

Fingernail infections

Fungal infections can occur in the fingernail area; this is most probable for people who frequently get their hands wet. Signs of these infections may include brittleness, discoloration, and/or pain. Bacterial infections are also possible, and might be indicated by itching, pain, pus, or discoloration. Your health care provider can more accurately determine if an infection is present, as well as the specific type.

If you have an infection, avoid using the hand towels other people use, and do not utilize the same trimming device for uninfected nails. Various antifungal products are available at pharmacies, but drugs prescribed by a doctor are much more likely to work effectively.

Fingernail polish

Some polishes can cause infections, trigger allergies, or increase the risk of other problems. Use care to keep young children and pets away from fingernail polish, as it may poison them if swallowed. Always keep polish away from heat elements and flames as well.

When applying nail polish, do not accidentally get it on other parts of your body, especially when using it for the first time; this will worsen the effect of any allergic reaction. Polish removing pads or fluids can be applied to take it off; packages of these are usually priced at less than four dollars.

Getting a manicure

A manicure is a type of professional fingernail and hand care treatment. It is also possible to perform a manicure yourself. The price of a professional manicure is about $10-35, while self manicure kits cost as little as five dollars. French manicure products and services are slightly more expensive.

Nail salons

There are signs to look for when choosing a nail salon. Both the salon and its employees ought to be licensed. Soap that is anti-microbial should be used to clean both the customer and employee's hands before any services are performed. The salon should also be adequately ventilated, clean, and have sterilized implements.

Preventative care

To prevent potential health problems involving your fingernails, use care not to chew or pick at them. Don’t use them for tasks which are likely to cause breakage or tearing. Be sure to consume a sufficient supply of vitamins in your food and/or supplements, as an inadequate intake of some vitamins can cause ailments of this type. You shouldn’t remove or trim the cuticles; this can cause skin damage, and makes infection more likely.

How to care for brittle or weak nails

If nail weakness or brittleness is a problem, clip the fingernails frequently and apply a moisturizer after taking showers or baths. Don’t polish your nails, unless you use a type of clear polish which has protein in it; this kind of polish can actually improve the strength of your fingernails. As you become older, brittleness is more likely to occur.

Two remedies for this problem include a vitamin called Biotin and nail hardener formulas, which are available for about $4-7 at drug stores. Containers of Biotin generally cost at least ten dollars, and people are discouraged from using this vitamin if they are children or have experienced kidney stones in the past.

How to care for hangnails

A “hangnail” is actually not a fingernail, but a thin strip of dead skin below or alongside one of the nails. It is best to clip these off, rather than using other techniques like pulling on them. If you bite or yank off a hangnail, an infection and/or damage to the skin around it may occur.

Other problems

Some nail issues are caused by health problems in other parts of the body, and cannot be resolved by directly treating the fingernails. Liver or kidney disease may harm your fingernails, along with psoriasis, poisoning, or inadequate nutrition.

Keeping the above-mentioned cautions in mind and following these tips on how to care for your fingernails will enable you to have nails which both look and feel excellent.