| Nails are one of the indicators of your general health and well-being. They arenot merely present just for cosmetic purposes but they protect the delicate tipsof your fingers and toes. As nails bear a lot of wear and tear on a daily basis,many nail disorders may be a result of external factors or injury. However, somenail problems can be due to internal illnesses in your body. For example, nail discolorationsmay signal various lung, heart, lungs and liver diseases. Here are some of the commonlyencountered nail problems. |
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Brittle nails Brittle or splitting nails are common nail problem. Internal diseaseor vitamin deficiencies are rarely the cause for brittle nails but the usual causeis an external factor. It may be due to repeated wetting and drying of fingernails.If the toenails are not affected, the primary cause is typically environmental.Brittle nails can be divided into two types: - Dry and brittle—It is caused by too little moisture, characterized by dry and flakingnails. People with dry skin and elderly people, especially during winter are moreprone to this condition
- Soft and brittle—It is caused by too much moisture andmore common in people who wash their hands frequently.
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Tips to prevent brittle nails - Using a lotion will protect your nails from excessive dryness.
- Wearing gloveswhen performing household chores can have a good effect on preventing brittle nailsas household chores involve getting your hands wet frequently.
- Be gentle to your nails while filing and round the tips in a gentle curve.
- Do not remove your nail polish too frequently to avoid the harmful effects of nailremover as it contains acetone.
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Hangnails
Hangnails are tears in the skin along the sides and base of the nails. It is dueto excessive dryness of the cuticle. Habits like biting nails, chewing or pickingnails encourage the development of hangnails. Improper manicuring and accidentalinjury can also cause hangnails. |  |
Tips to prevent hangnails: - Keep the skin around the nail well moisturized by regularlymassaging with cream.
- Avoid repeated washing ofhands as it cause dryness of skin.
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Paronychia
Paronychia is an infection or inflammation that develops along the edge of the nail,which may become red and swollen. It is very painful and if left untreated, canlead to a more severe infection. Pus may also appear under the skin surroundingthe nail. Paronychia can be caused by injury around the area from the biting orpicking the nails. Bacterial and viral infection can occur at the same time. |  |
Remedies for paronychia - Keep your hands clean and dry.
- Avoid any wet work or use water-proofed glove which has a cotton liner.
- Wash your hands thoroughly, preferably with an antibacterial soap if your handsget dirty.
Paronychia is usually treated with topical creams or lotions. In addition, doctorsmay prescribe antibiotics or antifungal drugs.
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Fungal infections
Fungal infections, also calledonychomycosis are one of the most common nail-relatedproblems. Fungican survive without sunlight, so toenails are most susceptibleforfungal infections as they are more confined to warm and moistenvironment, suchas sweaty shoes or bathroom floor. Fungus can bespread through contact with aninfected person. | 
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Since fungal infection occurs under the nail plate, it may cause discoloration ofnail and may even separate your nails from the nail bed. Fungal infection may startas a white or yellow spot under the tip of your finger or toenail but they are notalways itchy or painful. In severe cases, nails may get thickened and appear deformed.Nails may even appear in dark colored as debris accumulates under your nail beddue to the infection.
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Tips to prevent fungal nail infections - Trim your nails short.
- Keep your nails clean and dry.
- Absorbent socks should be worn. Change them often, if your feet sweat excessively.
- Do not go barefoot in showers or in public places.
- Antifungal foot powders can be used.
- Wash your hands if you touch an infected nail.
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Ingrown toenails
An ingrown nail is a common condition in which the edges of your nail grow intothe soft skin of your toe. It is a painful condition and can cause redness and swellingaround the ingrown edges. If left untreated, it is prone to secondary infection.Pus may accumulate under the skin next to the nail. Common causes of ingrown toenailinclude poorly fitting shoes, toe injuries, cutting your nails too short or trimmingthe nail into a curve.
Tips to prevent ingrown toenails |  |
- Trim your toenails in a straight line across. Do not curve your nails while trimming.
- Do not trim your toenail too short.
- Wear shoes that fit you properly—both in length and width.
Treatmentdepends on the severity of the condition. If it is mild, your doctormay put sterile cotton under the nail by lifting the edge of the nail,until the swelling goes away. | 
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In severe condition, your doctor may numb your toe with a local anesthesia,then trims or remove the ingrown section of the nail.
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