How to Toughen Your Nails and Keep Them Free From Infection By Janet Martin At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

A lot of people end up having weak and brittle nails because they do not know how to properly care for them. Caring for the nails is actually very easy. You do not need special gadgets, expensive lotions or creams just to make your nails strong and healthy.

But despite the simplicity of this task, there are still a lot of individuals who complain of brittle, weak, and chipped nails. It is also important to note that nails, both on your fingers and toes, can get easily infected if they are always chipped and broken. Furthermore, infections like nail fungus can be quite hard to get rid of so it is better for you to find ways to prevent such problems by knowing how to properly care for your nails.

Here are some easy nail-strengthening tips:

Go For Protein-Rich Foods

If you see that your nails are starting to look unhealthy and are easy to break, then you need to help restore their health by eating foods that are rich in protein and sulfur. These two substances are needed to make your nails strong and resistant to breaks. Some of the foods that you can add to your diet not only to help you become healthier but also to make your nails tougher include cucumber, apples, garlic, asparagus, grapes and onions.

You should also know what types of food you need to consume to help alleviate specific nail problems that your have. If you have hangnails, consuming foods that are rich in folic acid and vitamin C will be of great help. For brittle and often dry nails, you may want to add Vitamin A and calcium to your daily consumption. It is also important to note that deficiency in Vitamin B12 can make your nails dry and have ends that curve and discolored.

Stop Biting Your Nails

Although many are aware that nail-biting can make nails chip and become brittle, a lot of people still can't stop this habit. If your nails get injured or chipped because of your non-stop biting, they will be prone to many infections and diseases.

Nails Are Not Tools

Unless you are caught in emergency situations, like being trapped alone in an elevator, you should never use your nails as tools. Do not use your nails to open a bottle or a plastic container nor as a sticker remover. Your nails are not designed to do these tasks so refrain from relying on your nails to do mechanical tasks. There are tools and equipment available to help you get through opening your mails, scratching sticker off a surface, or scraping off dirt from your windshield.

Proper Mani/Pedi Rules

If you are the kind of person who loves having manicure and pedicure, be sure to use tools that are clean and sterilized. Many illnesses, even hepatitis B, are transferred from one person to another just because of using unsterilized nail cleaning tools. When you get your nails polished, be sure to wear a base polish first before colored nail polish. This will help strengthen you nails and prevent them from turning yellow.

Use Gloves

If you are gardening, washing the dishes or clothes, or handling chemicals, it would be best to wear rubber gloves to help protect not only your nails, but your hands and skin as well. Cleaning materials and garden fertilizers contain harsh chemicals that can make your skin and nails dry and dull.

Fight Nail Fungus

At the first sign of nail fungus, you should start to find ways to treat it. Of all the nail problems, nail fungus is the hardest to eliminate and get rid of. Furthermore, such infection is easy to spread. In just a matter of days and weeks, nails near the infected one may already start catching the infection.

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