Once you make a detailed note of your nails’ appearance, then it will make it easier to track improvement and healing over time. If your nails have a green or yellow coloring, you may have a nail fungus. Talk to your doctor about possible treatments. Small, white patches on your nail may be from a keratin build-up or they may signal a nutritional deficiency of a vitamin or mineral, like zinc or magnesium. Your doctor can diagnose whether it is a deficiency or not by doing a full-blood count.
There are many illnesses which an effect the health of your nails. Kidney disease, for example, overloads your nails with nitrogen waste products, causing damage. [2] X Research source
Wear gloves to prevent contaminating others. Avoid cooking or serving food to other people during this time. Keep your hands clean, and treat any broken skin around the nail. Apply anti-fungal cream as directed by your doctor.
Sometimes a nail injury is actually a sign that the finger has been fractured. Unless the finger is visibly damaged, an x-ray or MRI will be ordered.
Small, white patches on your nails indicate a keratin build-up, which can be treated by giving your nails a polish break. [6] X Research source
Repeat every few days to keep your nails just skimming the edges of your fingertips. Use the soft side of the nail file to buff the surface of your nails. This can improve blood flow while also creating a surface shine. Apply a nail cream afterwards for even more pay off. [8] X Research source
Washing your hands can dry them out. To protect your skin and nails, keep a bottle of hand lotion next to every sink at home and at work. Apply it whenever you wash your hands. If you have to wash your hands a lot, dermatologist Mohiba Tareen recommends using a lotion that contains dimethicone, a protective ingredient. [11] X Research source
Keep the tea bag patch on your nail for only a week or so at a time. If needed, replace the patch with a fresh one.
If you are irritated by tea tree oil, then try applying lemon juice to your nails with a cotton ball. The acid in the juice can help to kill off any fungus. If your doctor has prescribed an anti-fungal, you should use the medicine instead of at home-remedies. These creams are the most effective way to get rid of a fungal infection.
Even overexposure to dish soap can cause your nails to get weaker, so wear gloves when you’re doing the dishes.
Nail biting can happen in your sleep. To prevent this, put socks or mittens on your hands before you go to bed. If you feel as if your nail biting is crossing the line into a compulsion, talk with a mental health professional.
Tareen also suggests asking your doctor about taking a silicone supplement, which can help strengthen your nails. [19] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
A hand and nail massage with coconut oil, or any oil, is even better as it moisturizes the nail bed.
