Green nail polish may be hot this summer, but "it makes me think about nail infections," says dermatologist Cynthia Bailey. Black or green discoloration is usually a sign of a bacterial infection, says Bailey, of Sebastopol, California. Fungus, yeast and discolorations are some of the conditions that can send us seeking medical attention. And for good reason. "Changes in the nail can signal problems with your overall health," says Joshua Zeichner, director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research at Mount Sinai Hospital's Department of Dermatology in New York. Liver disease, kidney disease, medication side effects, even certain cancers can cause changes in the nails, he says. Serious medical conditons aside, even routine dishwashing or getting a manicure can be hard on nails. But we can lessen the damage, experts say:
Protect cuticles. The strip of hardened skin at the base and sides prevents microbes from infecting your nails. Damage it and your risk the nasty infection paronychia, Bailey says. It's ok to push cuticles back gently, but don't cut them, Zeichner says. "If you get a hangnail, cut it cleanly with a cuticle scissor, but don't pick at it. That can lead to infection."
Get wet. Clipping and filing dry nails only makes splitting worse, Bailey says. After showering or soaking nails, "towel off the water and use sharp clippers, followed by gently buffing the edges." Nails should be cut straight across to prevent edges from becoming ingrown, a condition that can lead to painful infection, Zeichner says.
Baby your brittle nails. Age and harsh products "reduce the natural oils that act as a glue to hold the nail layers together," Bailey says. To counter the loss, apply cream, oil or ointment to the hands and nails several times a day, she adds. "Regularly applying a thick cream like Bag Balm, for example, at bedtime for several months makes a big difference."
Limit the use of nail polish removers, including acetone-free varieties, which are very hard on fragile nails, she says. And your mother was wise when she put on rubber gloves to wash the dishes, Zeichner says: "Excess exposure to water, especially warm water, can dehydrate the skin and nails."
Be patient. Fingernails grow about one-tenth of an inch a month, the American Academy of Dermatology says. Gelatin capsules won't speed it up, Bailey says, but vitamin supplements containing biotin "may help weak or fragile nails, as does a balanced diet."
Pratice salon smarts. Some people are allergic to chemicals used in acrylic nails and can develop severe rashes that can spread, Bailey says. Applying acrylic nails also creates many nooks and crannies for organisms to live, which can result in fungal, bacterial and yeast infections" she says.
Sanitation "is always in the forefront of the nail industry," says Sree Roy, managing editor of Nails Magazine, which covers salons. Though state health departments regular salon sanitation, clients should ask about how a salon handles sanitation and disinfection, look for its policy statement on the premises or on its website, and look for salons that highilight good sanitation.
Opt for non-toxic polishes. An increasing number of nail polishes have been reformulated to remove potentially carcinogenic ingredients dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde and toluene. "But even within the same brand, some may still contain some of these ingredients, so it is important to check the individual color," Zeichner says. If the label isn't clear, he recommends checking the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database (ewg.org/skindeep) for personal-care product safety infirmaiton.
Michele Healy, USA Today
