7 Nagging Nail Care Issues Solved ...

1. Rough Cuticles

Having dry, rough cuticles is one of the most irritating nail care issues to have. They’re unsightly and when you cut them, it can cause a scab and can even start peeling which can result in an infection. If you currently cut your cuticles or your manicurist cuts them, consider just pushing them back instead. Your cuticles are meant to help keep your nails healthy and protect them from bacteria so cutting them might help your manicure look nicer, but for nail health, just push them back. It’s also important to keep your nails dry and moisturized. If your hands are exposed to a lot of water or chemicals like household cleaners, wear gloves.

2. Nail Fungus

Discovering that you have fungus on your nails can be infuriating. There are actually quite a few reasons why a person can get nail fungus. One of the most common causes of nail fungus is due to improperly sanitized tools from nail salons, so if you frequent nail salons for manis and pedis, don’t be afraid to ask questions and make sure the tools being used on you are clean. Other ways to avoid nail fungus are to keep your finger and toe nails clean, dry and always be gentle when you trim or file nails. If you already have nail fungus, you can always go see your doctor or try some popular home remedies which include applying apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil to the affected area.

3. Weak Nails

I have no problem with my nails growing, but I have a huge problem with them not breaking and bending once they grow out. If you too experience this frustrating nail care issue, there is hope! You can try using a nail hardener or nail treatment that you get at your local drugstore or beauty store. In addition, you can try incorporating more nail-friendly foods into your diet such as bananas, beans, salmon, eggs, flax seeds, fish oil, whole grains, low-fat dairy, spinach, oatmeal and green beans. All of those foods contain nutrients such as protein, biotin, zinc, Vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids which help promote strong, healthy nails.

4. Hangnails

Hangnails are another nail nuisance that most people encounter no matter how meticulous they are with their nail care routine. Hangnails are dry areas of skin around your fingernail that can be torn off. There are various causes of hangnails which is why so many of us experience them and while they might seem quite harmless, tearing or biting off a hangnail can result in infection as well as other issues. Hangnails are most often caused by dry air, dry skin and frequently biting your nails. Preventing them can be as easy as keeping your hands moisturized, properly trimming your nails, refraining from biting your nails and keeping your hands shielded from chemicals and prolonged exposure to water. If you already have a hangnail or two, the best thing to do is to soak your finger in warm water for a few seconds and then take some cuticle scissors to gently trim off the hangnail and apply lotion. Continue to do this until the hangnail heals.

5. Stained Nails

As much as I love rocking a bright red or vampy berry-colored nail, I hate the aftermath. Removing red and dark nail polish, in addition to the yellowish tinge left on your nails, can be such a pain! Luckily, there are some great home remedies for getting rid of the stain on your nails. But before we get into that, I'd like to remind you to always use a base coat whenever you apply a red or dark nail polish. This will help prevent stained nails and will help your nail polish to last longer. If you already have stained nails, Birchbox suggests mixing a tablespoon of baking soda, ½ teaspoon of olive oil and a few squeezes of lemon juice in a small bowl. Once you’ve mixed the ingredients, apply it to your nails, leave it on for about 5 minutes and rinse off.

6. Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails are about as fun as stubbing your toe, but the pain lasts longer! If you’ve never experienced an ingrown toenail where your toenail grows and cuts into your skin, consider yourself lucky. In order to prevent getting an ingrown toenail, make certain that you trim your toenails straight across and avoid wearing pointy-toed shoes whenever possible. If you happen to have one as we speak, TotalBeauty.com suggests the solution is as easy as grabbing some dental floss and gently nudging it under the nail plate that’s growing over your skin to detach it. Keep this up daily in order to decrease swelling.

7. White Spots

We might assume that white spots on our nails is due to a vitamin deficiency or something health-related, however it’s most commonly due to trauma to the nail. Let’s say you accidentally bumped your nail on something. You might not think that you injured your nail at all, maybe it didn’t even hurt, but the nail cells underneath were damaged as a result. There isn’t any treatment for this nail care issue as the spots will grow out. If you see other discoloration to your nails, give your doctor a visit to get them checked out.

Have you experienced any of these common nail care issues? I know I have and while they can be a real drag, practicing good nail care goes a long way in preventing many of these inconveniences. Keep hands and nails away from extended contact with water and harsh chemicals and keep them hydrated as much as possible. Do you have any nail care tips that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them!

Sources: health.howstuffworks.com, womansday.com, mayoclinic.org, health.howstuffworks.com, blog.birchbox.com, totalbeauty.com, pamf.org, examiner.com