Nail health and hygiene are often overlooked, despite their importance to overall health. Dirty or contaminated nails can serve as breeding grounds for infections. Infections in the nails can result in pain, redness, swelling, and pus.

Long, unkempt nails can also pose a risk of injury, particularly during physical activity. How do you properly maintain your nail health? Follow these few steps.

How To Maintain Nail Health

Proper nail care is an essential part of overall health. Clean, strong, and problem-free nails are signs of good health. Here are some tips from dermatologists to maintain healthy nails:

Keeping nails clean and dry

Always wash your hands and feet with soap and clean water, and dry them thoroughly afterward. Excess moisture under the nails can cause fungal growth and infection.

Cut your nails straight

Use sharp nail clippers to cut your nails straight. Avoid cutting your nails too short or too long. Slightly round off the nail tip to keep it from breaking or tearing easily.

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File your nails regularly

Use a nail file board to keep your nails neatly shaped and free of tears. Avoid filing your nails too deeply, as this can cause irritation or damage.

Do not bite your nails

Biting your nails can cause them to become brittle and prone to breaking and splitting. It also makes the nails more vulnerable to infections and other health issues.

Nail biting also removes or damages cuticles, interfering with normal nail growth.

Avoid using your nails as a tool

Using nails for menial tasks like opening cans can damage and injure the nails. Broken or damaged nails are also more susceptible to infection.

Nails are not designed to withstand heavy pressure or weight. Using the nail as a tool can result in structural damage and even detachment of the nail bed.

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Trim nails regularly

Keeping your nails short can reduce the risk of injury from being bumped, pinched, or broken. This applies to both fingernails and toenails. Toenails that are too long are more likely to collide with nearby objects and become caught in shoes, increasing the risk of injury.

Wearing well-fitted shoes

Well-fitting and comfortable shoes are essential for maintaining nail and foot health. Shoes that are too tight or too loose can cause excessive friction between the nails and the feet. Excessive friction leads to irritation, blisters, and even sores on the nail and surrounding skin.

Furthermore, ill-fitting shoes can cause pressure on specific areas of the foot. Excessive pressure on the nail causes discomfort, injury, and nail deformation, including ingrown toenails.

Changes in the nails can be a sign of a serious health problem. If you notice yellowish, blackish, or bluish discoloration on your nails, as well as signs of infection and irritation accompanied by pain or discomfort, you should see a dermatologist.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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