Nails Health And Beauty » Health

Get Rid of Those Embarrassing Nails With an Effective Over the Counter Nail Fungus Treatment

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:41:02 +0000

Morgan Emerson asked:

A fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails can be embarrassing, irritating, and even painful in some cases. Fungi thrive in warm, moist, and dark places. Warm, moist, and dark sounds a lot like the inside of a shoe which is why a fungal infection of the toenails is very common. An infected nail becomes thick, brittle, discolored, and can even have a foul odor. The good news is that this type of infection can be treated successfully with an over the counter nail fungus treatment.

There are a lot of home remedies floating around on the Internet. People claim that things like Listerine, Vick’s VapoRub, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and many other common grocery store items can cure nail fungus. There are a couple of problems with home remedies however. One problem is that nail fungi can be difficult to treat because they live underneath the nail and it is difficult for some of these common grocery store items to penetrate the nail. The other obvious problem is that these home remedies will not have a reliable set of instructions to follow.

Rather than using some type of home remedy that may or may not actually work, it is better to use a product that has been designed with the specific purpose of treating a fungal infection. It may nail fungus is not treated properly it can come back very quickly. Even if it looks like the treatment has worked and the appearance of the nail improves, the fungus can come back easily if it has not been completely eradicated. There are many over the counter treatment options that are very effective but it is important to follow the directions to the letter to make sure the fungus is truly gone and will not come back.

No matter which type of tree menu choose it is very important to remain consistent and follow the instructions diligently. It could take several months to be completely rid of a fungal infection and if you were to slack off on the treatment and the infection and reemerged you would be back at square one and will have wasted several months. It’s a good idea to consult with your physician before attempting to diagnose or treat any type of medical condition but I would highly recommend avoiding the various home remedies you may find on the Internet in favor of using a quality product that has been proven to be effective.

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Sick of Brittle Nails? 8 Tried and Tested Tips on How You Can Have Strong, Glamorous Nails

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 19:02:26 +0000

Paula Owen asked:

Hands are one of the most essential parts of our body. Without them we cannot perform properly. Of course, our hands will not be complete without nails on it. That’s why it is important to take care of them the same way we do with our hands.

Just imagine a hand without nails. Scary, isn’t it? To avoid losing your nails here are some tips on how to achieve healthy and glamorous ones.

1. Too short and too long nails are a big no-no. If they are too short look a bit odd and unattractive. If they are too long, they can break easily which causes weakening of nails. Grow them to a considerable size.

2. Do not ever bite your nails. People who have this habit are only damaging their cuticles.

3. When doing any household chores like washing the dishes, cleaning the bathroom or gardening always wear gloves. Gloves will help protect them from breaking and getting weak.

4. Soaking your nails with hot oil can help strengthen them. However, do not do this everyday. You can do this three to four times a week. 20 minutes in hot oil should do the trick.

5. When filing your nails, do not use the metal ones as these can break them. Instead, use a wood nail file. These are inexpensive and will not cause any harm or damage to your nails. Just make sure you know the right way to this, because if not, you might do more harm than good.

6. Nail polish adds beauty and color, however too much of this can result in nail discoloration. Plus nail polish also makes nails brittle, causing them to break more easily. It would also be best if you let them rest from nail polish on a weekly basis. If you do not have an important occasion to attend, then don’t use any nail polish. They do need to breathe from time to time.

7. Apply lotion or hand cream after taking a bath or washing your hands. Soap can dry both your hands and nails. Dry nails can be very fragile. Remember, it is not only your skin that needs to be moisturized but also your nails.

8. Eat properly. A proper diet not only leads to healthy nails but your whole body as well. Add more fruits and vegetables into your diet – the nutrients you get from them are essential to your nails. Your nails also need vitamins that you can only get from fruits and vegetables. This will keep you from getting nail diseases.

These 8 helpful and simple ways to help prevent your nails from breaking and becoming brittle. Remember that beautiful hands begin with healthy and strong nails.

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Fingernail Disorders – Paying Attention To Your Nail’s Health Might Save Yours.

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:16:16 +0000

Chuck Lunsford asked:

Fingernail condition has been used for thousands of years to accurately diagnose ailments and maladies in the body. Chinese physicians mastered this practice.

Fingernail changes may signify a number of disorders elsewhere in the body. These changes may indicate illness even before the rest of the body shows any signs. Although I will discuss later in this article what nutrients may help with actual nail problems you should always seek professional help if any of the below changes are observed on the nail.

o Thick nails may indicate a vascular problem.

o Ridges running lengthwise may indicate a kidney disorders.

o White moon area turning red may indicate heart problems. If it turns dark blue then lung problems may exist.

o Brittle nails may indicate possible iron deficiency.

o Yellow nails may indicate internal disorders.

o White nails may indicate possible liver or kidney disorders.

o Nail beading may be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.

o Nails that chip, peel, crack, or break easily show a nutritional deficiency.

o Brittle, soft, shiny nails with no moon may indicate an overactive thyroid.

o Nails separated form the nail bed may indicate a thyroid problem.

o White lines across the nail may indicate a liver disease.

o Red, inflamed looking skin at the bottom of the nail may indicate a connective tissue disorder.

o Ridges across the nail may be a sign of the flu.

o Nails curving downward at the ends may indicate heart, liver, or respiratory problems.

o White lines show possible heart disease, or arsenic poisoning.

o Unusually wide, square nails can suggest a hormonal disorder.

These are a sampling of nails conditions that may point to serious health problems. These are not intended to serve a diagnostic tool. If in doubt seek the diagnosis of a physician.

Don’t wait if you suspect a problem. Seek help. Also consider looking at your eating habits, environment, and general well-being. Consider taking extra vitamin supplementation to balance out your system.

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Yes You Can Stop Biting Nails and Make Your Hands Look Nicer by Following These Easy Tips

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:38:54 +0000

Trevor Johnson asked:

Are you plagued by a nail biting habit? If you are, you certainly are not alone. This habit is one which is shared by millions of people around the world. Everyone seems to have their own story of how they began biting their nails, but there is one thing they all have in common, and this is they want to stop biting their nails. You can learn how to stop biting nails and restore your hands to the appearance they are supposed to have if you care to follow these easy tips which has worked for others.

To end your habit of nail chewing forever, one of the first things you need to do is see that it is a problem which only you can solve. It is a behavior which society frowns upon and is certainly unsanitary. Most individuals would even agree that it is bad manners to chew your fingernails of public, which most nail biters tend to do. If for no other reason, it would be good for you to cease biting nails because it can cause skin infections.

A great way to get started is to start taking good care of your already chewed up nails. An important part of doing this would be taking supplements which will help your nails regain their strength and luster. Healthy nails will be harder to chew so it will be something which will be more trouble than it’s worth to most nail biters who are used to the texture of soft brittle nails.

Artificial nails are a terrific nail biting deterrent. If you cannot afford to go to a salon, you can take a base set of do-it-yourself nails at your local pharmacy or discount store. These will work fine for the purpose of preventing nail abuse. Actually taking care of your nails will give you comfort just as you got from biting them. Of course if you are a man, there is a good chance you do not want to wear artificial nails. For the man who wants to stop chewing their nails, you can get specialty nail polish which is very distasteful when put in the mouth. This is an excellent preventative measure for anyone.

Many nail biters begin this habit when they are bored and have nothing else to do. The perfect solution for this is to substitute something else for fingernails. A gummy style of candy has a nice chewy texture and can be found in sugarless varieties. This gummy candy is perfect for substitution in nail biting. If you would rather, sugarless gum works just as well. Either way, your teeth and lips have something to keep them busy instead of your nails.

You can stop biting nails and completely drop this terrible habit. If you are serious about the appearance and health of your fingernails and hands, then you’ll set your mind to the course of action which needs to be taken. The main thing is that you never give in and call it quits.

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Thick, Discolored Toenails – Causes and Treatments

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:16:23 +0000

Neil Marez asked:

Have your nails lost lustre and shine? Are they brittle? Thickening? Crumbling? Are your nails discoloured, and distorted? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you probably have a fungal infection and fungal infections aren’t nice. These little things can be painful, and horrible to treat.

But I treat my feet well! I hear your cry. Pedicures, the lot. But fungal toenail infections are easier to pick up than you imagine. Visiting pools, gyms and shower rooms are quite often the cause of fungal infections. Fungi thrives in damp, warm areas such as these, and quite often these are the places we go bare foot.

Other common causes are moist feet in closed in footwear, wearing running shoes which have not been cleaned properly and rotated, or nail and skin injuries. No matter how much you take care of your feet, it seems that every time you put your foot inside of a shoe, or onto the ground barefoot, you are at risk of picking up a nasty infection.

But fear not, for it can be treated. Eventually. Over the counter treatments, such as creams and ointments, are not effective at treating toenail discolouration or thickness. Neither are medicines which have been prescribed by your doctor. In fact, prescription medication is not only ineffective, but can have serious side effects.

So if medication is not going to work, how can you treat it? Well there are some specific creams on the market, which actually do work. These do take a long time to fully eliminate an existing fungus infection however, and so you should continue to treat it even when the symptoms of thick, discoloured toenails disappear.

There are other treatments which can help alleviate your symptoms. These are natural treatments. Soaking your feet in beer for example can actually help as beer has antifungal properties. Always get advice about how best to treat your thick, discoloured toenails, and always remember to prevent infection in the future.

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How To Fix Weak Nails

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 03:17:40 +0000

Stewart Wrighter asked:

A lot of ladies might find this usual: You brought some groceries from the store and as you are opening the food packaging or the corrugated boxes using your hands, you find that they have chipped your nails. Costly manicure gone to waste… The problem of weak or brittle nails is common in a majority of the population. There might be two main reasons explaining this problem; either you have a genetic make up for weak nails, or you might have nutritional deficiencies which may result in brittle nails. However, whatever the reason may be, it is not impossible to do something about this problem.

The best way to fix your weak nails is to control your diet. One of the leading causes of this problem is lack of enough nutrients. Just like your hair, your nails are also made up of the protein keratin. Therefore, an increase in the uptake of protein, vitamin and calcium will increase the shine on your nail surface, as well as make the nails strong. High calcium in your diet will again make your nails strong. With that, your diet must also contain vitamins, especially vitamin E. Weak nails might also be a result of biotin deficiency. To avoid that, include biotin supplements in your diet.

Massaging is a great way to enhance the blood circulation of your body. Moreover, it encourages growth too. To strengthen your nails, get hold of a nail strengthening oil or massaging cream that contains protein and massage gently onto the nail surface and cuticles. After you are done, wipe the oil using a piece of cotton or damp towel. Repeat the process at least twice or thrice a week to improve the strength of your nails. You might also consider dipping them in olive oil for 10-15 minutes at least twice a week. This is a great homemade remedy to avoid broken or chipped nails.

Great care needs to be taken when you are applying and removing nail color. When you are applying a nail color, go for the ones that are especially designed to prevent splitting, cracking and chipping of nails. When you are removing it, make sure that the remover does not contain acetone. This is because acetone can make your nails dry and brittle, and they can break off easily.

Finally, you should consider some basics:

• To save your nails from damage, wear gloves when doing different tasks of the house, such as gardening, cleaning, washing the dishes or clothes, etc.

• Take a multivitamins daily with a protein rich diet.

• Do not bite your nails. Cut them in round shapes to avoid chipping.

• Keep them short. Do not grow your nails so long that it becomes hard for you to manage them. If you have a genetic make up of weak nails, you will find it hard to grow them long. Therefore, the best way to avoid split nails is to keep them short and properly filed.

• Drink a lot of water to keep hydrated, and save your nails from being dry.

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Biotin the Best Skin Hair and Nails Vitamin

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 20:17:30 +0000

Cynthia H. asked:

Biotin is?best known vitamin for the health and beauty of skin hair and nails.

What is Biotin? Biotin is a type of vitamin B complex and it is sometimes known as vitamin H (H for hair). Biotin is particularly for anyone who is interested in promoting hair growth and growing thicker hair. Besides, it also ensures the overall health of skin and nails, assisting in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein and maintaining the health of mind and emotional well-being of a person.
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Sources of Biotin:

Natural sources: Nuts, egg yolk, wheat bran, oat, barley, soy, cauliflower, liver and brewer’s yeast. Biotin is also naturally produced in the human body by the good bacteria that lives in our digestive tract. Supplements: There are many brands of biotin supplements available in the market. Some supplements include biotin with other vitamin supplements. The recommended daily intake (RDA) of biotin is 300 mcg. However some experts recommend a daily intake of more than 1000mcg per day to get the result in strengthening nails, preventing hair loss and promoting thicker hair. Although this high dosage exceeds the recommended amount, it is not consider as toxic or dangerous as biotin is a water soluble vitamin and can be safely pass out from our body. So far, there is no serious toxicity due to high consumption has been recorded.
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Is biotin deficiency common? The answer is no, but there it is a possibility that it can happen. An example of the occurrence of biotin deficiency is when one consumes a lot of raw egg whites. Raw egg whites contain avidin (a sugar and protein-containing molecule (glycoprotein)) that binds with the biotin, thus, preventing biotin to be absorbed by the body unless the egg is fully cooked. This usually happens to body builders as they consume lots of raw eggs in their daily diet.
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Some of the common symptoms of biotin deficiency are rashes, dryness or itchiness of skin, brittle nails, grayish skin, muscle ache, depression and lethargy. Lack of biotin will also results in dermatitis and hair loss.
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Also, biotin is not easily absorbed through the skin. It needs to be taken internally, rendering biotin shampoo as quite useless.
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What are the benefits or effects by taking biotin supplements? Biotin helps the health of our hair by increasing the elasticity of the hair’s cortex to prevent breakage, thickens the hair cuticle and diameter of the hair shaft and promotes hair growth. After taking biotin supplements, one may notice stronger hair and nails, faster growing hair and nails, thicker hair, increase of?energy and healthier looking skin.

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Nail Care Essentials To Avoid Dry Fingernails

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 02:11:17 +0000

Tiffany Windhurst asked:

Onychoschizia is a common condition among women that characterizes dry, brittle nails.

This affliction is usually a result of low iron levels and a lack of calcium in the diet. Calcium is especially important in the health and maintenance of both nails and hair. Try eating calcium enriched foods, such as milk, dairy products, as well as increasing omega 3’s with fish and other food to increase the natural oils and moisture in your nails.

Oddly enough, water makes the condition worse. Water often has a drying effect, therefore you should avoid exposing bare nails to water. Use rubber gloves to protect your nails, especially from hot water. Applying a moisturizing lotion or oil to your nails following a shower or bath will help condition your nails and keep them from becoming overly dry.

There are products on the market specifically made to protect and improve dry, brittle nails. Most of these products contain oils or strengthening fibres that moisturize and protect your fingernails. Many of them also help your nails grow. Once your nails return to a healthier state, you will notice less breakage, peeling and cracking.

Proper maintenance of nails includes being gentle when you shape or file your nails. Use an emery board as opposed to a nail file to prevent damage. Chips or breaks should be filed gently in one direction across the top of the nail to avoid splitting or breaking the nail. Back and forth filing actually damages your fingernails.

Night time is the easiest time to care for your brittle nails. Applying a moisturizer or special nail oil to your nails and covering your hands with cotton gloves before bed will increase the beneficial effects of the moisturizer. Rubber or plastic gloves don’t allow your skin to breath and also might make your hands sweaty while you sleep, where as cotton gloves are breathable. Yes, cotton garden gloves will work just fine.

A well balanced and healthy diet is essential to healthy nails. So make sure eating right is part of your nail care routine, so you can enjoy strong, brittle-free nails.

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Thick Toenail Causes and Treatments

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:06:52 +0000

Rob P asked:

Thick toenails are often associated with a toenail fungus. Usually toenails will develop other symptoms such as crumbling or brittleness in the nail, they might become thick, foggy, brittle, or perhaps gain a yellow or brown discoloring of the nail.

Causes of Thick Toenails and Toenail Fungus

It’s important to understand how you developed your thick toenail because you’ll need to take preventative measures in the future. If your toenails are thick as a result of a fungus there are some basic preventative measures you can take.

1. Make sure your shoes aren’t too tight. Tight shoes can build up moisture causing fungus or can cause a thickening of the nail with irritation.

2. Wear sandals in public pool area, spas, locker rooms, and in public showers. Toenail fungus is often spread in moist public environments.

3. Make sure you do not cut your nails too short. Cutting your nails too short can lead to toenail fungus.

Effective Thick Toenail Treatments

Over the counter solutions are generally ineffective at treating thick toenails with fungus. The reason is because the treatment cannot get under the nail well. Overall these treatments are a big waste of money.

Prescription drug treatments for toenail fungus are dangerous, expensive, and more often than not prove ineffective. These drugs put toxins into the body possibly leading to liver damage.

One of the most effective ways to cure toenail fungus I’ve found was by using regular drinking beer and dipping my infected nails into them for about 30 minutes per treatment twice a day. I combined this treatment with a natural treatment and gently filed my nails so the treatment could be absorbed better.

This treatment worked for me within a few weeks of starting treatment. I noticed improvements around the end of the second week.

Remember when you do treat your think toenails to take preventative measures so you don’t get them back! With a little consistency I’m sure you’ll be able to safely and effectively treat your nails.

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Thick Yellow Toenails – Remedies and Prevention

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 01:49:17 +0000

Rob P asked:

Yellow thick nails is a sure sign of a toenail fungus. Thousands of people develop fungus and are left searching for plausible remedy. Fortunately several remedies exist which work to treat your fungus.

Symptoms

It’s a good indication you have toenail fungus if your toenail are becoming a discolored yellow, black, or brown. Nails may also thicken and fog up. They are usually brittle as well and can easily chip or *****. You may also experience a slight smell coming from under the nail. Sporadic pain might be felt while putting weight on the toe.

Understanding Prevention

It’s important to understand how you developed your toenail fungus because when you finally do cure your fungus you’ll want to make sure you never get it back!

Fungus often develops when the toes are exposed to moist places for a prolonged period of time. A sweaty sneaker still not dry from yesterday might cause it. Tight fitting sweaty shoes further compound risks of getting toenail fungus. Public pool areas and showers are also a common place where you can get infected. If you go to these places make sure you wear sandals whenever possible. Another more common method of getting toenail fungus is by cutting your toenails too short. By doing this you might cause small cuts on the toe leaving it open for possible infection.

Fungus Treatments

Prescription medications should be avoided. These ingested medications are filled with toxins that harm other areas of the body. Liver damage can often be the result of taking these drugs. Not to mention these pills are expensive and often ineffective.

Over the counter medications tend to not work as well either. They fail to deliver treatment to the direct source of the problem because they aren’t fully absorbed into the toe.

The best treatment I found was by gently filing my thick yellow toenails after taking a warm shower. The shower made them easier to file. Then I dipped my infected nails in beer for about 30 minutes per treatment twice a day. After the beer soak I applied a natural topical treatment. Within about two weeks I started seeing results.

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