Nails are designed to protect finger tips and toe tips from damage. Nails being pointers to the general health of an individual; they have an important role to play in medical science also.
Exposure of nails to polluted environment makes it highly prone to infections. We use hands to take food and it is easy to transfer bacteria accumulated under the nails to mouth. So it is essential that everyone should have a minimum awareness regarding nail hygiene.
Excessively long nails trap more bacteria. So always keep your nails short and clean. - Make it a regular habit to spend a few minuets a day to care your nails.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after taking food. It would be better if you can use lukewarm water for this.
- A plain washing is not enough. Wash your hands including wrists vigorously, giving special attention to areas under nails.
- Always use a mild soap for washing your hands and finger nails. You should follow the same procedure whenever you touch your pets, garbage, after sneezing or coughing etc. After washing, pat your hands and finger nails dry using a soft towel.
Never allow your finger nails to grow too long. Chances are more for dirt and micro organisms to accumulate under long finger nails. So keep your finger nails short as far as possible and beauty conscious ladies, who are eager to grow their nails, should take extra care to keep their nails and under areas of their nails clean and infection free.
Before you visit a beauty saloon for manicure or pedicure, ensure that the saloon you are going to visit is clean and hygienic.
Usage or sharing of emery boards, filing instruments, pumice stones used in saloons may invite infections. - Make sure that the metal instruments that are being used by your beautician while performing manicure or pedicure are sterilized properly.
- Even while you are undergoing a pedicure or manicure at home use only sterilized equipments and take care to keep them separately every time.
Never use sharp materials other than manicure equipments to clean the areas under nails. Manicure kits are available in the market. It is better that you purchase a standard one for your use. Be extra cautious while dealing with cuticles. Cutting of cuticles may invite infections. To remove cuticles use only quality cuticle removers. You may gently push it off also instead of cutting it.
You should be extra cautious if you are suffering from hang nail problem. In such a case, never use too much pressure on nails while undergoing a manicure or pedicure.
Comparing to finger nails, toe nails are more prone to infections. As in the case of finger nails, never allow your toe nails to grow too long. Properly maintain the length of your toe nails by timely shaping them.
- Give more attention to your feet and toe nails during rainy season. Constant contact of your feet with mud and water may adversely affect the health of your nails and skin.
- Always use good quality foot wear while walking in rain.
- Make sure that your foot wear does not absorb water and soak your feet. This can have even more adverse effect on your nails and skin.
- Wash your feet thoroughly everyday and apply moisturizer to retain its lost moisture.
- Take care of the area surrounding the nail. Bacteria may get accumulated there.
Another problem that usually affects the health of toe nails is a condition called athlete’s foot. To get affected by this problem you need not be an athlete. The main cause behind athlete foot is ring worm or fungus. Normally only men over twenty years are seen to be affected by this problem and the reason is wearing of undersized shoes especially in cold weather. Peeling and cracking of the skin is as a result of reduced oxygen to the skin. Itching can also occur.
The persons affected while athlete’s foot should give extra care to their feet while washing. To maintain hygiene they should dry the areas between toes completely.
- One can avoid this situation by using shoes of correct size. Cotton socks are recommended to them.
- They are advised to change socks whenever they feel that they are wet.
- Use sandals or walk barefoot while at home. This will help to ease the pressure on your toe nails and skin caused by the use of foot wears.
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