Creative Healthy Nails Maintenance Regimen
Are you looking for a creative healthy nails maintenance regimen?
This article contains information on:
● The human nails
● Common problems associated with the nails
● Healthy nail maintenance regimen
Creative Healthy Nails Maintenance Regimen
Have you ever seen someone’s fingernails or toenails and wondered – Ewww! Is that normal?
Or
Have you come across a pair of fingernails, and all you could think of was – Awwww! That’s so pretty.
Once in a while, we all have been in one or both of these situations.
Ever thought about the reason why the first illustration comes
with an eww while the second comes with an aww?
Are your fingernails too soft, too short, too yellow, or just naturally do not appeal?
Stick around, and we will find out why your nails act the way they do.
The Human Nails
The nails are plates found at the tip of the fingers and toes made up of a protein known as Alpha-keratin(a polymer). It exists as claws in other primates and is found in the hooves, horns, and claws of vertebrates.
The primary function of the fingernails is to protect the fingertips, the distal phalanx, and surrounding soft tissues from injuries. It equally functions as an extended precision grip. The growing part of the nail, which is also the living part, is under the skin at the nail’s proximal end and the epidermis.
In humans, fingernails grow faster than toenails. They grow at an average rate of approximately 3.5mm and require three to six months to regrow completely. The toenails grow at approximately 1.6mm a month and require about twelve to eighteen months to regrow completely.
The growth rate could also depend on other factors such as age, sex, diet, exercise level, and hereditary factors.
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Common Nail Problems
It could seem like the harder you try to take care of your nails, the more it looks like you are doing nothing. At times, the nails may pose quite a challenge because they could be too brittle, loose, or discoloured. Some nail problems are easy walkovers as a change in diet, environment, or health conditions brings about all the change we need. Such problems include:
● Nails become thicker or more brittle as you grow.
● Nails can become harder, softer, or more brittle during pregnancy.
● Nails change colour, becoming loose and eventually falling off after an injury.
The five most common nail disorders include Brittle nails, Onycholysis, Paronychia, Psoriasis, and Onychomycosis.
Let us take a brief look at them.
Brittle Nails (Onychoschizia)
Also known as Onychoschizia, brittle nails are associated with splits, peels, or breaks. It could be resultant due to underlying health conditions or other health factors.
Brittle nails are of two types: (i) Dry and brittle and (ii) Soft and brittle.
Dry and Brittle: A result of too little moisture caused mostly by repeated washing and drying of fingernails.
Soft and brittle: caused by overexposure to moisture by detergents, household cleaners, etc.
Causes of brittle nails also include but are not limited to:
● Age
● Iron deficiency
● Low thyroid level( hypothyroidism)
● Raynaud’s syndrome
Onycholysis (Nail Separation)
This is when a nail plate of the fingers or toes separates from the nail bed. Most often than not, it appears as a separated part of the nail with a white, yellow, or green tinge after an injury to your nail.
Injuries arise from wearing tight shoes, allergy to products used on the nail (eg. Polish), or artificial nail tips.
It could last for several months and typically corrects itself after full regrowth of the nail. It affects everybody but is more common in:
● People who are assigned Females at birth (AFAB)
● Adults
● People with psoriasis
Aside from injuries, other causes of Onycholysis are: reactions to chemicals
● Fungal infections
● Medications
● Nail psoriasis
● Iron deficiency
● Hyperthyroidism
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Psoriasis
This is a condition in which the skin builds up and forms itchy dry scales and patches. It occurs when skin cells are replaced more quickly than usual. Experts believe psoriasis arises due to a problem with the immune system. Psoriasis is hard to miss and once detected, requires medical attention as it can be deadly.
Although symptoms of Psoriasis can vary, the most common symptoms include:
● Rashes or patches of red, inflamed skin, often covered with loose silver-coloured scales.
● Itchy, painful skin that can crack or bleed.
● Discolouration of fingernails
● Scaly plaques on the scalp
Onychomycosis
A nail fungus causes thickened, brittle, crumbly, or ragged nails. The fungi are in three main classes – Dermatophytes, yeast, and non-dermatophyte moulds. With Dermatophytes being
the most common cause. It spreads through direct contact. This is touching an infected person or infected surface with the toe or fingernails.
Being a fungal infection, it does not just disappear. If left untreated, it can spread and eventually destroy the nail. The best way to treat it is the use of oral antifungal drugs (eg. Sporanox) as it will ensure the growth of a new nail free of infection while slowly replacing the infected part.
(PS. ensure you consult a doctor before medicating.)
Healthy Nails Maintenance Regimen
You can achieve beautiful, shiny, healthy, and perfect nails. All you need is a conscious determination and effort. You can make these a part of your schedule.
Suggested ways of maintaining healthy nails
● Keep fingernails dry and clean
● Practice good personal hygiene
● Use moisturizer
● Apply a protective layer( this could be a nail hardener to strengthen nails)
● Regular intake of supplements like biotin and diet regulation
● Limiting the use of harsh cosmetics on nails
● Do not bite or chew fingernails
● Report any observed abnormality to the doctor
● When going for manicures and pedicures, ensure proper sterilization of the tools that will be used on you.
You can share your Creative Healthy Nails Maintenance Regimen in the comment section below.
Writer: Daramfon Etim
Reviewer & Editor: Chinyere Nwosu