Home Treatments to Keep Nails Healthy.

We bite them. We rely on them to peel the fruit. We them pop open cans. That's too much to ask for something smaller than a postage stamp and is made from the same type of protein that hair. Our nails are made of a protein called keratin, and there is more to them than it seems.

Each of our nails is composed of six parts. The nail fold is the crest of the skin around the nail. The part that we can see and usually called a finger (or toe) is called the nail plate. Beneath the surface of the nail is the nail bed, which nourishes the nail. Que-crescent shaped area at the base of the nail is called the lunula, and is part of the nail matrix. The nail matrix is ​​at the base of each nail, although you can not see - is below the cuticle, a fold of skin made of dead cells that keeps bacteria getting in. The matrix makes the cells need to grow nails.

Nails are complicated bits of protein, and if we miss, what could go wrong. The most common complaints we have about our nails is that they are fragile, they have developed an infection or who have hurt. It is not necessary to have a manicure and pedicure to keep your fingers and toes in good condition if you follow some basic tips at home to help keep your entire finger and nails healthy throughout the year. Let's start with home remedies (and prevention tips) for brittle nails that break easily.

Brittle nails that split, peel and break easily are a common complaint. Brittle nails can happen because nails are too dry, but can also occur if the nails are too soft. Because of this, health professionals often have two recommendations: Apply light moisturizer daily, and avoid harsh chemicals. Applying a moisturizer for nails and cuticles help lock water spot, which is good for strong and healthy nails.

Besides keeping nails hydrated, experts recommend that you avoid exposure to harsh chemicals including cleaning products and acidic foods, like lemons and oranges. When working or cleaning, wear gloves to protect the skin and nails of the damage - use vinyl gloves for wet work and cotton for dry operation.

His hands and feet are there to help prevent injuries in the digits, so occasionally the nails are prone to injury in the line of duty (or on the line of attack of the head of a hammer). Nail injuries can cause bruising, infection and sometimes can stunt the growth of nails. Keep nails short can help prevent injuries polish, as it will be less likely to stick a nail or away from the nail bed. And if not you can always prevent accidental injury, such as the closure of his finger in a door or drawer, you can help reduce the risk of nail trauma with a little common sense: Do not use your nails as tools.

Although yeasts and other fungi and bacteria are invasive nail of equal opportunity, the more likely you'll develop a fungal infection in toenails than in fingernails. This is usually because the fungus that causes an infection in the nail is the same as the one that causes athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is a common infection, but can quickly become hot and humid, as inside socks places.

To help prevent fungal infections of the nails invasion, keep all nails and cuticles clean and dry exfoliation with baking soda, do not bite your nails or pick stepparents (which can open the door to infection fungal or bacterial), and treat ingrown soaked with salt water to keep them clean and free from infection. If you have symptoms of a fungal infection of the foot, over-the-counter topical antifungal drugs containing miconazole or clotrimazole may help to clarify, but if the infection gets into or under the nail, you may need prescription medicines -force to knock him out.