Fingernails: Keeping them healthy and strong

Women fall into two camps when it comes to fingernails. Some treat them as accessories, going to great lengths to keep them looking lovely. Others use their nails as tools for prying and poking.

What you probably don't think about is that nails can tell you a lot about your general health. Take a look at your fingernails. Are they strong and healthy looking? Or do you see ridges or areas of unusual color or shape? Many less-than-desirable nail conditions can be avoided through proper care, but some actually are indications of an illness that requires attention.

Whether you see your nails as decorative or functional, here's what you need to know to keep you and them in tiptop shape.

The hard facts

Your nails are made up of laminated layers of proteins called keratin. Each nail is comprised of several parts, including:

Nail plate (part that's most visible)
Nail folds (skin that frames the nail on three sides)
Nail bed (skin beneath the plate)
Cuticle (tissue that overlaps the plate on the rim of the base)
Matrix (area under the cuticle, where the nail grows)
Lunula (whitish, half-moon shape at the nail base)

Nails grow at an average of one-tenth of an inch a month. The nails on your dominant hand grow faster, and nails
grow faster in summer than in winter. Nails also are permeable, which means they let in liquids that come into contact with them.

Signs, signs, everywhere signs

Some nail conditions are harmless. They include vertical ridges, which tend to worsen as you age, and white lines or spots. Spots usually are caused by injury to the nail plate or nail bed. In time, they'll grow out. Other nail conditions can indicate disease, so remove your nail polish when you see your doctor. Here are some conditions that might require medical attention:

Separation of the nail from its bed (onycholysis). It's associated with injury,
psoriasis (a skin condition that produces scaly patches), drug reactions, fungal disease, reaction to nail hardeners or
acrylic nails. Yellow nail syndrome. Swelling in the hands or a respiratory condition, such as chronic bronchitis, can cause one or
more nails to turn yellow or green. This always is associated with very slow nail growth to the point that nails need clipping only every several months. Pitting. Small depressions in the nail are common in people with psoriasis or nail injuries. Terry's nails. Nails look opaque, but the tip has a dark band. This may be a sign of serious illness, such as cancer, congestive heart failure or diabetes, or it just may be aging.

Clubbing. Nails curving around the fingertips may indicate a lack of oxygen. It could be a sign of lung disease. Beau's lines. These are indentations that run across your nail. They can appear when growth at the matrix is interrupted by severe illness
such as a heart attack, measles, pneumonia or by fever. Mees' lines. Caused by arsenic poisoning, these are white
lines that run across the nail, following the shape of the lunula. Spoon nails. Soft nails that look scooped out may be a sign of
iron deficiency anemia. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid.

Vertical nail ridges, which run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail, ...

Vertical nail ridges, which run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail, are fairly common and not a reason to worry. They don't indicate serious illness. These ridges typically increase with age. The exact cause isn't known. But heredity may play a role.
If your fingernails change color or develop horizontal ridges, see your doctor. This may indicate an underlying health problem.

If you suspect you have a problem, see your primary doctor or a dermatologist. He or she likely will include an examination of your nails along with other observations and tests in making a diagnosis. Take good care of my babies

The most important element in caring for your nails is to avoid abusing them. Don't use them as tools. Don't bite them or pick your cuticles. Don't have your cuticle removed during manicures. Lubricate them with lotion like you do your skin — rub in the lotion. Even a minor cut alongside your nail can allow bacteria or fungi to enter and cause an infection (paronychia). Because your nails grow slowly, an injured nail retains signs of its injury for several months. If your nails are brittle or they peel or break, wear cotton-lined rubber or vinyl gloves when using water, soap or chemicals. Moisturize your hands and nails frequently.
Tough as nails

Here are some tips to toughen or protect weak fingernails.

Keep your nails short, square-shaped and slightly rounded on top.
Apply a nail hardener, but avoid products containing toluene sulfonamide or formaldehyde. This chemical can cause
itchiness, redness or irritation of the skin.
Apply a moisturizer each time you wash your hands. At bedtime, moisturize your nails and cuticles, and wear cotton gloves.
Wear cotton-lined gloves when exposing your hands to water or household chemicals.
Don't use nail polish remover more than twice a month. Instead, touch up the polish. When you do need a remover,
avoid those that use acetone, which may dry nails.
Trim brittle nails after a bath or a 15-minute hand-soak in bath oil. Then apply a moisturizer.
Repair splits or tears with nail glue or clear polish.
Avoid diet changes that supposedly strengthen nails. They won't work. Unless you are deficient in protein — uncommon
among people in Canada — adding protein to your diet won't strengthen your nails. Similarly, soaking your nails in
gelatin won't help.

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