Nails – the beauty of your hands

By Dr. Karuna Malhotra

Are you taking good care of your nails? Nails are the beauty of the once hands. However, it is important to be informed about how to take good care of our nails and to remember few do’s and don’ts.  

Your fingernails — composed of laminated layers of a protein called keratin — grow from the area at the base of the nail under your cuticle. As new cells grow, older cells become hard and compacted and are eventually pushed out toward your fingertips.

Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits or grooves. They're uniform in colour and consistency and free of spots or discolouration. Sometimes fingernails develop harmless vertical ridges that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Vertical ridges tend to become more prominent with age. Fingernails can also develop white lines or spots due to injury, but these eventually grow out with the nail.

Not all nail conditions are normal, however. Consult your doctor or cosmetologist or dermatologist if you notice:

• Changes in nail colour, such as discolourationof the entire nail or a dark streak under the nail
• Changes in nail shape, such as curled nails
• Thinning or thickening of the nails
• Separation of the nail from the surrounding skin
• Bleeding around the nails
• Redness, swelling or pain around the nails

Protect them:

To get healthy cuticles and avoid dryness, one should use cuticle oil daily. Also, get a regular manicure done by a professional nail technician at least three times a month. Wear rubber gloves for your washing chores. Massage cream on the nails and cuticles daily, especially after using detergents and soaps.

Cuticles must never be cut. Instead after soaking the nails in warm water, apply cream on the nails to soften the skin. Then push them back gently using a cotton bud. Avoid using a sharp instrument.

Shape your nails once a week. Try square shape as it is easy to maintain and there is lesser chance of breakage, if the nail polish chips, do not peel it off as this removes the protective layer of the nail, thereby damaging it.

Do not ever bite your fingernails or pick at your cuticles. These habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut alongside your fingernail can allow bacteria or fungi to enter and cause an infection. When you use hand lotion, rub the lotion into your fingernails and cuticles, too.

If you have a nail problem that doesn't seem to go away on its own or is associated with other signs and symptoms, consult your doctor or dermatologist for an evaluation.