How much attention to you give your nails? Healthy, strong nails are important. Not only do they promote a more attractive appearance, but they also reflect the health of your body too. As board certified dermatologists, we are equipped to treat all types of conditions involving the skin, hair and nails. Therefore, if you have nails that are brittle, discolored, damaged or infected, we want to know about it.
To keep your nails in top condition, you don’t have to get regular manicures. There are things you can do at home to keep your nails looking healthy and strong:
- Wear gloves. Gloves can offer protection for your nails against harsh exposure. While you may be more mindful of wearing your gloves in cold weather, you should also consider slipping on a pair of gloves to do the dishes. Whether you are giving your plates a pre-dishwasher rinse under hot water or scrubbing a pan with dish detergent, your nails can be deprived of vital moisture and nutrients under such elements.
- Consider cuticle cream. Your cuticles are the foundation of your nail health. Therefore, take the time to rub cuticle moisturizer at the base of your nails each day. It’s a simple task that can support nail strength and growth.
- Add biotin. Biotin is a B vitamin that is known for preventing brittle nails. Don’t assume that taking biotin will make your nails grow more or at a faster rate. However, this supplement can certain protect nails from splitting or cracking, which is quite an unfortunate event to someone trying to grow out their nails.
- Moisturize after you wash. Handwashing is an important step towards preventing the spread of germs. We teach kids at a young age to lather up in soap and scrub their hands thoroughly for a proper amount of time. While this certainly works to eradicate harmful bacteria, it can also do some damage to your nail health over time. Therefore, follow up your handwashing session with a moisturizer when possible. Moisturizers that contain lactic acid can be especially effective in preventing nail splitting, cracking and breakage.
If you need help restoring the health of your nails, come see us at Olansky Dermatology. We offer a wide variety of treatment for the hands, from treating nail fungus to removing age spots. Start pampering your nails today!
