Nails reflect our overall health, which is why proper nail care is so important. Here are dermatologists’ tips for keeping your nails healthy: Keep nails clean and dry. Cut nails straight across. Use sharp nail scissors or clippers. Round the nails slightly at the tips for maximum strength. Keep nails shaped and free of snags by filing with an emery board.
Nails reflect our overall health, which is why proper nail care is so important. Here are dermatologists’ tips for keeping your nails healthy:
Keep nails clean and dry.
Cut nails straight across. Use sharp nail scissors or clippers. Round the nails slightly at the tips for maximum strength.
Keep nails shaped and free of snags by filing with an emery board.
Do not bite fingernails or remove the cuticle. Doing so can damage the nail. Do not use your nails as a tool, such as opening pop cans. Trim toenails regularly. Keeping them short will minimize the risk of trauma and injury. When toenails are thick and difficult to cut, soak your feet in warm saltwater. Mix one teaspoon of salt per pint of water and soak for 5 to 10 minutes. Avoid “digging out” ingrown toenails, especially if they are infected and sore. If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, see a dermatologist for treatment.
Do not bite fingernails or remove the cuticle. Doing so can damage the nail.
Do not use your nails as a tool, such as opening pop cans.
Trim toenails regularly. Keeping them short will minimize the risk of trauma and injury.
When toenails are thick and difficult to cut, soak your feet in warm saltwater. Mix one teaspoon of salt per pint of water and soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
Avoid “digging out” ingrown toenails, especially if they are infected and sore. If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, see a dermatologist for treatment.
Wear shoes that fit properly. Also, alternate which pair of shoes you wear each day. Wear flip-flops at the pool and in public showers. This reduces the risk of infections caused by a fungus that can get in your toenails. If your nails change, swell, or cause pain, see your dermatologist because these can be signs of serious nail problems. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, it’s especially important to seek treatment for any nail problems. If you have questions or concerns about caring for your nails, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Wear shoes that fit properly. Also, alternate which pair of shoes you wear each day.
Wear flip-flops at the pool and in public showers. This reduces the risk of infections caused by a fungus that can get in your toenails.
If your nails change, swell, or cause pain, see your dermatologist because these can be signs of serious nail problems. If you have diabetes or poor circulation, it’s especially important to seek treatment for any nail problems. If you have questions or concerns about caring for your nails, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Be gentle on your nails. Your nails are delicate, so treat them that way. Avoid using metal tools under nails, as too much digging can cause the nail plate to separate from the skin (a condition called onycholysis), common for people over 50, says Dr. Stern. Cleaning with chemicals and washing dishes by hand can also weaken nails. Guard them by wearing rubber, vinyl, nitrile, or plastic gloves, says New York City dermatologist Janet Prystowsky, M.D., Ph.D.
Your nails are delicate, so treat them that way. Avoid using metal tools under nails, as too much digging can cause the nail plate to separate from the skin (a condition called onycholysis), common for people over 50, says Dr. Stern. Cleaning with chemicals and washing dishes by hand can also weaken nails. Guard them by wearing rubber, vinyl, nitrile, or plastic gloves, says New York City dermatologist Janet Prystowsky, M.D., Ph.D.
Clip your nails regularly. Consistent trims are as important to your nails as they are to your hair, says Dr. Prystowsky, and make nails less prone to snags and breakage. So aim to clip them every two weeks, adjusting frequency as needed once you see how your nails respond.
Consistent trims are as important to your nails as they are to your hair, says Dr. Prystowsky, and make nails less prone to snags and breakage. So aim to clip them every two weeks, adjusting frequency as needed once you see how your nails respond.
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