Nail Care Tips: What You Need To Know About Disease
Many nail care tips revolve around beauty, for obvious reasons. However, some of the most important nail care tips will help you recognize, and prevent disease which can damage and scar your nails. Healthy nails are beautiful nails, so these nail care tips and skin care tips are extremely important to learn.
Psoriasis and Nails
Psoriasis is a hereditary disorder which most commonly affects the skin on the elbows, knees, face, and even the scalp with a rash like appearance. Eczema can also lead to similar issues. In the finger nails, psoriasis may appear as pits in the nail plate, or as the nail plate separating from the nail bed (onycholysis). Other symptoms include the nail loosing its normal luster, appearing discolored, or grossly thickening. You should not seek any nail care tips other than getting medical advice – do not get a manicure on a nail suffering from psoriasis.
What is Paronychia, and How Do I Cure It?
Paronychia is an inflammation of the nail folds typically caused by prolonged exposure to moisture. Secondary infection can be caused by exposure to bacteria or fungus, which leads to swelling and redness. If the infection goes untreated for an extended period of time, the nail plate can become deformed, and no nail care tips will be able to save it then!
Paronychia can be treated by draining the infected nail fold, taking oral antibiotics, or using a topical antifungal or antiseptic lotion. If you have paronychia it's best to avoid prolonged exposure to water (eg. washing dishes), or try wearing gloves.
Green Nails = Pseudomonas
There is a reason nail care tips involve keeping your nails dry. This is a bacterial infection which occurs between the natural nail plate and the nail bed Many think the 'green' discoloration is some type of mold, however mold is not a human pathogen. The discoloration is simply a by-product of the infection and is caused primarily by iron compounds.
Pseudomonas thrive in moist places; it feeds off the dead tissue and bacteria in the nail plate, while the moisture levels allow it to grow. The after effects of this infection will cause the nail plate to darken and soften underneath an artificial coating. The darker the discoloration, the deeper into the nail plate layers the bacteria has traveled. Seek medical attention for a cure.
Onychorrhexis
Simply put, this is brittle nails which often split vertically, peel and/or have vertical ridges. While some causes of onychorrhexis are of heredity, the use of strong solvents in the workplace or the home, including household cleaning solutions are believed to be additional causes or triggers. It is also common to suffer from dry skin at the same time. Classic nail care tips involving oil or paraffin treatments will re-hydrate the nail plate, making this a minor element to correct. If symptoms persist, seek medical advice.
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