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Fingernails

Your fingernails reveal a lot about your general health, take a look, are your nails strong and healthy looking' Or do you see ridges or areas of unusual colour or shape. Many less than desirable nail conditions can be avoided through proper care, but some actually indicate an illness that requires attention.

The fingernail

Your nails are made up of layers of keratin, a protein that's also found in your hair and skin. Each nail is comprised of several parts.

• Nail plate.
  The nail plate is the part of your nail that's most visible, what you see when you look at your fingernails.
• Nail folds.
  This is the skin that frames each of your nails on three sides.
• Nail bed.
  Your nail bed is the skin beneath the nail plate.
• Cuticle.
  Your cuticle is the tissue that overlaps your nail plate at the base of your nail.
• Lunula.
  The lunula is the whitish, half-moon shape at the base of your nail.

Your nails grow from the area under your cuticle, as new cells grow, older cells become hard and compacted and are eventually pushed out toward your fingertips. Nails grow at an average of one eighths of an inch a month. The nails grow faster on your dominant hand, and they grow more in summer than in winter. Nails are also permeable, which means they let in liquids that come in contact with them.


Proper nail care

To keep your nails healthy and looking their best, treat them gently and moisturize them regularly. Protect your nails. Wear cotton lined rubber gloves when using soap and water for prolonged periods or when using harsh chemicals. Gloves help protect your nails when washing dishes, for example. Avoid abusing your nails. Don't use them as tools to pick, poke or pry things.

Don't bite your nails or pick at your cuticles. These types of habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut alongside your nail can allow bacteria to enter and cause an infection. Because your nails grow slowly, an injured nail retains signs of an injury for several months. When you're moisturizing your hands, rub the lotion into your nails as well.

Caring for weak nails

• Keep your nails short, square-shaped and slightly rounded on top.
• Trim brittle nails after a bath or a 15-minute hand-soak in bath oil.
• Apply a moisturizer each time you wash your hands
• Apply a nail hardener
• Don't use nail polish remover more than twice a month

If you suspect you have a problem, talk with your doctor. He or she will likely examine you or refer you to a doctor who specializes in skin conditions (dermatologist). The doctor's visit will include an examination of your nails along with other observations and tests to make a diagnosis.