Health
The Nail-Tale
Nails can be quite small in size, but they too deserve to be strong, healthy and trendy like other parts of our body. Regular trimming, pushing back the cuticle, having a healthy diet- all of these can get you closer to a great set of nails. However while you are busy finishing your “to do” checklist, you might overlook what are the few things that can be considered taboo for your nail health. Take a look at five things you should not do to your nails!
Biting your nails
While doctors call it onychophagia , others might call it a bad habit. Nail biting is a habit which we practice out of anxiety, stress or boredom. One problem with nail biting is that it's considered socially unacceptable; ragged, bitten nails aren't attractive, and neither is the act of biting your nails. Some people bite their nails so badly that their fingers bleed, or the nails are so stunted that there is almost no nail left. Apart from the beauty factor, nail biting can also cause a negative impact on your health. While biting your nails, you transfer bacteria back and forth between your mouth and fingers. Even worse, you can permanently damage your nails, your gums and your teeth. In addition, compulsive nail biting is sometimes a sign of an underlying mental health condition, such as anxiety or an impulse control disorder.
Pulling off hangnails
Hangnails are the dry, sometimes brittle triangular-shaped tags of skin around your fingernails that can be torn off. Because there are many different causes of hangnails, everyone gets them occasionally. You might rip live tissue along with the hangnail. Instead, carefully clip off hangnails. Avoid biting your hangnails. This can cause tension and tearing to your skin, making the problem worse. The deep cuts caused by biting hangnails will likely be more painful than the original hangnail. Hangnails are often caused by dry skin. Therefore, soaking your nails regularly is a good way to prevent getting them in the first place. Using petroleum jelly or lotion on your fingers is also a good idea.
Abusing your fingernails
Do you know what can be a serious offence to your nails? Considering them as a substitute for screw, knife or other stuff to pick, poke or pry things. This can break your nails and damage your nail beds. So stop abuse your fingernails and let them be in their natural shape.
Over using chemical and nail products
While the great majority of polishes are relatively harmless to the nails, the same cannot be said for many polish removers. Nail polish removers, no matter how cleverly and carefully formulated or well manufactured, are essentially modified paint strippers, as even be faintest whiff of an open bottle attests. Try to give your nails a break from all the sassy nail colours and nail remover sitting on your shelf and let your nails show their original colour once in a while.
Ignoring different nail problems
If your nails start turning blue or your nails show a few horizontal white lines on them or if they become very brittle, thin and lifted, these all can be indications of some serious complications. If you have a nail problem that doesn't seem to go away on its own or is associated with other signs and symptoms, consult your doctor or dermatologist immediately.
Source- internet
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