Nail biting is one of these things we all want to get rid of, and we just can’t seem to finally make it. Over the years, many treatments have been created as an effort to put an end to this bad habit. Let’s look at them and see what they are all about:
Hypnotherapy
Don’t be too skeptical. Many nail biters have had great success with hypnosis programs. Since most of the time this is a subconscious activity, it makes sense to treat it from the subconscious point of view. Hypnotherapy will help you cope with your anxiety and stress levels in a more positive way. You can either go to a hypnotherapist for a more personalized session, or you could try an “stop nail biting” hypnotherapy tape.
Medications
When treated form a medication point of view, doctors prescribe anti-depressants for nail biting. These medications include: fluoxetine, clomipramine, setraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopram, venlafaxine and nefazodone. Also little dose of anti-psychotics can be used to augment the anti-depressants: ziprasidone, quetiapine, aripripazole, risperidone and olazapine. These are used not because the patient has psychosis, but as a means to augment the power.
Behavioral Therapy
This is a therapeutic method that consists of unlearning bad behaviors. Some patients have found this helpful as they unlearn the habit of nail biting (Habit Reversal Training) and replace it with something of a constructive nature. This treatment seems to work better when combined with medications.
Nail Polishes and Topical Treatments
This may be considered the simple method to stop nail biting. It consists of putting things on your nail that will keep you away form biting them. From nail polish, that makes it impossible for you start biting your nails to natural creams that leave a bitter taste in your mouth while giving your nail its necessary nutrients. This treatment has worked for a lot of people, but it takes time, since it is a process of also “unlearning”.
Sheer Will power
Although this may seem as the obvious treatment to stop nail biting, (Just say stop!) Is in fact one of the least effectives. Often people do things such as post-it notes, New Year’s Resolutions, etc. that get lost in the mind after some weeks. But the process of mastering your mind can be rewarding on its own. If you are ready for the test, just start now, get accustomed to watching yourself, and the times when you start biting your nails. Getting to know yourself is the first step.
http://stopnailbiting.net/nail-biting-treatments.html
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Doing Your Nails
"Doing" Your Nails--How to Give Yourself a Manicure
You will enjoy having nails that look well-cared-for. Nice-looking nails can be an accessory to any outfit. As you know, nail polish comes in about a million colors, glossy or metallic, with or without glitter. Nail polish can be a fun way to express your personality.
Storing nail polish in the fridge extends its shelf life. (When polish is exposed to heat, it thickens and gets hard to apply.) Be careful: Food and chemicals don't mix! To avoid contaminating Mom's favorite leftovers, store polish in a plastic container before chilling. When you're ready to do your nails, rub the bottle gently between your palms to warm it up. Don't shake it; shaking mixes air into the polish and causes bubbles.
Use a fine emery board to shape your nails. Working in one direction only, file from the sides to the center. See nail shapes below.
Give your fingertips a soaking in warm soapy water so the cuticles will soften up. Then dry your fingers.
Push cuticles down with an orange stick.
Buff the nails with a nail buffer, from the tip to the cuticle.
Rub some hand cream into your hands and nails. Make sure to removed it from your nails before you polish them. This will condition your nails.
When you polish your nails, use a base coat of clear, two to three coats of polish and a top coat of clear or "top coat" that you should apply every four days to keep your polish from chipping and lasting longer.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
You will enjoy having nails that look well-cared-for. Nice-looking nails can be an accessory to any outfit. As you know, nail polish comes in about a million colors, glossy or metallic, with or without glitter. Nail polish can be a fun way to express your personality.
Storing nail polish in the fridge extends its shelf life. (When polish is exposed to heat, it thickens and gets hard to apply.) Be careful: Food and chemicals don't mix! To avoid contaminating Mom's favorite leftovers, store polish in a plastic container before chilling. When you're ready to do your nails, rub the bottle gently between your palms to warm it up. Don't shake it; shaking mixes air into the polish and causes bubbles.
Use a fine emery board to shape your nails. Working in one direction only, file from the sides to the center. See nail shapes below.
Give your fingertips a soaking in warm soapy water so the cuticles will soften up. Then dry your fingers.
Push cuticles down with an orange stick.
Buff the nails with a nail buffer, from the tip to the cuticle.
Rub some hand cream into your hands and nails. Make sure to removed it from your nails before you polish them. This will condition your nails.
When you polish your nails, use a base coat of clear, two to three coats of polish and a top coat of clear or "top coat" that you should apply every four days to keep your polish from chipping and lasting longer.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
Common Nail Problems
Brittle Nails
These often occur from iron deficiency, circulation problems and other problems of the body's endocrine system.
Discoloration
Cigarettes, hair dyes and even tints sometimes discolor the nails.
Dry nails
Dry skin gets worse in winter and/or colder months, and so does the condition of some nails. Some get brittle, which is why you have to be careful about soaking them in water with chlorine, soap or detergents. Rubber gloves and warm gloves worn outside in cold weather can help.
White spots
Don't believe what you hear. You probably don't have a mineral or calcium deficiency. White spots usually develop because you've hit your nails against something.
Greenish Nails
Greenish nails are usually a result of a localized fungal infection. If you find greenish nails under your nail polish, consult your health-care provider, as there are treatments for this kind of fungal infection.
Ridges
Ridges can appear either vertically or horizontally. Horizontal ridges called Beau's lines can result from severe stress. Some of these ridges are genetic--they're inherited--and get worse as you age. Vertical lines can indicate poor nutrition or iron deficiency.
Sometimes your nail looks as if it's going to literally lift off from the nail bed. It's scary and could be a sign of psoriasis, a skin disorder. Or it might be because your hands are spending too much time in water, detergents or soaps. If this is caused from having your hands in water too much, you might want to consider wearing rubber gloves when washing dishes or doing housework.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
These often occur from iron deficiency, circulation problems and other problems of the body's endocrine system.
Discoloration
Cigarettes, hair dyes and even tints sometimes discolor the nails.
Dry nails
Dry skin gets worse in winter and/or colder months, and so does the condition of some nails. Some get brittle, which is why you have to be careful about soaking them in water with chlorine, soap or detergents. Rubber gloves and warm gloves worn outside in cold weather can help.
White spots
Don't believe what you hear. You probably don't have a mineral or calcium deficiency. White spots usually develop because you've hit your nails against something.
Greenish Nails
Greenish nails are usually a result of a localized fungal infection. If you find greenish nails under your nail polish, consult your health-care provider, as there are treatments for this kind of fungal infection.
Ridges
Ridges can appear either vertically or horizontally. Horizontal ridges called Beau's lines can result from severe stress. Some of these ridges are genetic--they're inherited--and get worse as you age. Vertical lines can indicate poor nutrition or iron deficiency.
Sometimes your nail looks as if it's going to literally lift off from the nail bed. It's scary and could be a sign of psoriasis, a skin disorder. Or it might be because your hands are spending too much time in water, detergents or soaps. If this is caused from having your hands in water too much, you might want to consider wearing rubber gloves when washing dishes or doing housework.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
Nails
Fingernails are just another type of skin, but not all nails are created equal. The nails protect the nerve-rich fingertips and tips of the toes from injury. Nails are a substructure of the outer layer of the skin, and are composed mainly of keratin, a type of protein. Nails grow at the rate of about 0.05 to 1.2mm per week. The nail bed is the skin on top of which the nail grows. Healthy nail beds are pink to dark pink, which shows a rich blood supply.
Fair-skinned people have pinkish nails, while other people have brown or black ones. But one thing is for sure: Nails often tell a story. The nails can reveal a lot about the body's internal health. Healthy nails are often a sign of good health, while bad nails are often a tip-off to more serious problems. A high-protein diet can help your nails grow stronger and healthier.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
Fair-skinned people have pinkish nails, while other people have brown or black ones. But one thing is for sure: Nails often tell a story. The nails can reveal a lot about the body's internal health. Healthy nails are often a sign of good health, while bad nails are often a tip-off to more serious problems. A high-protein diet can help your nails grow stronger and healthier.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
Pick Your Nail Shape
Sharp-corner Square
Totally trendy now. Ttrends change, but these nails always looks good. This shape looks great with short nails and longer ones too.
Long & Oval
These nails look glamorous, but break easily and make typing more difficult.
Rounded & Short
Good for the active gal who hates to fuss. A low-maintenance manicure.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
Totally trendy now. Ttrends change, but these nails always looks good. This shape looks great with short nails and longer ones too.
Long & Oval
These nails look glamorous, but break easily and make typing more difficult.
Rounded & Short
Good for the active gal who hates to fuss. A low-maintenance manicure.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
Nail Fungus
Overview
Nail fungus (also known as Onychomycosis) is made up of tiny organisms (Tinea Unguium) that can infect fingernails and toenails. The nails of our fingers and toes are very effective barriers. While this usually just makes it difficult for an infection to invade the nail, the barriers can work just as hard to keep infections inside the nail once they've invaded.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 35 million people in the United States get nail fungus. The fungus lives underneath the nail because the nail provides a safe, dark, damp place that actually protects the fungus while it grows. This is why it can be difficult to treat nail fungus.
Most often, nail fungus appears in the toenails because socks and shoes keep the toenails dark, warm and moist. The toenails are six to seven times more likely to be infected than fingernails.
Symptoms
Fungi often cause the area around the base (and sides) of the nail to become red and irritated. At first, the edges or base of the nail is affected. As it spreads, the nail and nail bed show changes. There is often mild discomfort, itchiness or pain around the cuticles (the flesh surrounding the nails). Bleeding or detachment of the cuticles may occur. The nail can become yellow-green, dark yellow-brown and sometimes white spots are seen. The nails thicken and develop abnormal grooves, lines and tiny punched out holes. For more information on symptoms, click here.
Treatment
The best treatment is prevention. Keep your nails cut straight across. If nails are hard to cut, soften them by soaking in salt water (use 1 teaspoon per gallon of water and then dry well). Keep feet dry and well ventilated. Be careful with artificial nails and be selective about choosing your manicurist. Ask about how they sterilize their instruments.
The organisms can sometimes spread from one person to another wherever air is moist and people’s feet are bare. This can happen in places like shower stalls, bathrooms or locker rooms or it can be passed around on a nail file. To avoid contracting nail fungus this way, always wear flip flops in a public shower and don't share nail files and emery boards.
Nail polish and plastic or acrylic nails can also trap moisture and fungi, so use lighter shades of nail polish to help light get through the nail. Also, avoid artificial nails.
Topical creams applied directly to the infected site are often used for less serious infections. Visit the foot care section of your local drug store chain. Creams include Lotrimin, Monistat, Nizoral, Tinactin and Lamisil. If the topical treatments fail, more potent medications can be taken orally if your health care provider thinks it is necessary. For more treatments, click here.
Nails can reveal a lot about the body’s internal health. Healthy nails are often a sign of good health, while bad nails are often a sign of more serious problems. A high protein diet may actually help your nails grow stronger and healthier.
Ask Your Physician
See a podiatrist or health care provider if you see signs of fungus. Oral medications may have side effects, so tell your health care provider about any other medications, including birth control like the pill or Depo-Provera, if you are prescribed an oral medication for fungus.
Find out more about nail fungus and prevention.
/http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
Nail fungus (also known as Onychomycosis) is made up of tiny organisms (Tinea Unguium) that can infect fingernails and toenails. The nails of our fingers and toes are very effective barriers. While this usually just makes it difficult for an infection to invade the nail, the barriers can work just as hard to keep infections inside the nail once they've invaded.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 35 million people in the United States get nail fungus. The fungus lives underneath the nail because the nail provides a safe, dark, damp place that actually protects the fungus while it grows. This is why it can be difficult to treat nail fungus.
Most often, nail fungus appears in the toenails because socks and shoes keep the toenails dark, warm and moist. The toenails are six to seven times more likely to be infected than fingernails.
Symptoms
Fungi often cause the area around the base (and sides) of the nail to become red and irritated. At first, the edges or base of the nail is affected. As it spreads, the nail and nail bed show changes. There is often mild discomfort, itchiness or pain around the cuticles (the flesh surrounding the nails). Bleeding or detachment of the cuticles may occur. The nail can become yellow-green, dark yellow-brown and sometimes white spots are seen. The nails thicken and develop abnormal grooves, lines and tiny punched out holes. For more information on symptoms, click here.
Treatment
The best treatment is prevention. Keep your nails cut straight across. If nails are hard to cut, soften them by soaking in salt water (use 1 teaspoon per gallon of water and then dry well). Keep feet dry and well ventilated. Be careful with artificial nails and be selective about choosing your manicurist. Ask about how they sterilize their instruments.
The organisms can sometimes spread from one person to another wherever air is moist and people’s feet are bare. This can happen in places like shower stalls, bathrooms or locker rooms or it can be passed around on a nail file. To avoid contracting nail fungus this way, always wear flip flops in a public shower and don't share nail files and emery boards.
Nail polish and plastic or acrylic nails can also trap moisture and fungi, so use lighter shades of nail polish to help light get through the nail. Also, avoid artificial nails.
Topical creams applied directly to the infected site are often used for less serious infections. Visit the foot care section of your local drug store chain. Creams include Lotrimin, Monistat, Nizoral, Tinactin and Lamisil. If the topical treatments fail, more potent medications can be taken orally if your health care provider thinks it is necessary. For more treatments, click here.
Nails can reveal a lot about the body’s internal health. Healthy nails are often a sign of good health, while bad nails are often a sign of more serious problems. A high protein diet may actually help your nails grow stronger and healthier.
Ask Your Physician
See a podiatrist or health care provider if you see signs of fungus. Oral medications may have side effects, so tell your health care provider about any other medications, including birth control like the pill or Depo-Provera, if you are prescribed an oral medication for fungus.
Find out more about nail fungus and prevention.
/http://www.livestrong.com/article/13863-nails/
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