Page 55 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: SKIN, HAIR, AND NAIL PROBLEMS 53

Disfigured or brittle nails

The most common cause of disfigured nails is a fungal infection. This usually affects toenails, particularly if
your feet sweat a lot or you do not dry them properly after washing, although fingernails can also be infected
if moisture gets trapped under artificial nails. The nail becomes thickened, crumbly, and white or yellow, and
may grow misshapen or separate from the nail bed. Other nail problems include dry, hard, and brittle nails
that are prone to splitting; white patches on the nails due to minor injuries; and fine vertical ridges on the
nails, which are common in older people. In a few cases, nail changes indicate an underlying illness.
See also Ringworm, p.48; Ingrown toenail, p.55.

See your doctor first
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
● You have a fungal infection of the nails Nail care This nail-care regimen will help
keep your nails strong and healthy and reduce
● You develop abnormalities such as curved
brittleness or splitting.
or clubbed nails or pits on the nail surfaces
Trim your nails regularly so that they are
square at the sides and slightly rounded on
1 the top. Trim hard or brittle nails after a bath
What you can do yourself or soak them in water first.
Use the following tips for fragile, brittle nails and File your nails in one
to treat a fungal infection, alongside treatment direction only, using
prescribed by your doctor. 2 gentle strokes from the
side of the nail to its
● Wash your hands after touching an infected nail. tip. Using a “sawing”
If your toenails are affected, don’t walk barefoot motion with the file
around swimming pools, showers, and locker weakens the nail.
rooms; you may pass the infection on to others.
● Wear cotton socks rather than those made
of synthetic fibers and change socks, pantyhose, Don’t have your
cuticles removed
or tights daily. Wear properly fitting shoes, made 3 during manicures;
from natural materials that do not trap moisture. instead, soak your
If your feet sweat, take your shoes off during the fingernails in warm
day, if possible, or wear open-toed sandals. water, then push the
cuticles back gently
● Practice good nail care to improve dry, brittle
with an orange stick.
fingernails (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right).
● Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves to protect your
At bedtime, rub a moisturizer into the cuticles
hands when doing chores such as washing dishes and skin around the nails. Apply a moisturizer
or using household cleaning products. 4 afterward whenever you wash your hands.
● Try painting on a cosmetic nail hardener once
a week. Don’t wear artificial nails or nail polish.
● Very occasionally, buff vertical ridges on nails Seek further medical advice
with a fine emery board to smooth them out. Be
careful not to buff too much or you may thin the nail. See your doctor if your nail problems persist or
if you develop any unexplained nail symptoms.