Strong, Healthy Nails

Fingernails—and toenails, too—are products of your epidermis and are composed of the protein keratin. Each nail grows outward from a nail root that extends back into a groove of skin.

Fingernails normally grow at the rate of 1/8th inch a month, approximately 2 or 3 times faster than toenails. Growth slows in old age. Sudden or significant changes in the appearance of the nails can be a first sign of illness. Abnormal or unhealthy nails may be the result of a local injury, a glandular deficiency such as hypothyroidism, or a deficiency of certain nutrients.

Follow these 14 tips for not only well-groomed, but healthy nails on all 20 fingers and toes.

1. To keep your nails hydrated, rub a small amount of petroleum jelly into your cuticle and the skin surrounding your nails every evening before you go to bed or whenever your nails feel dry. Substitute jelly castor oil. It's thick and contains vitamin E, which is great for your cuticles. Or head to your kitchen cupboard and grab the olive oil. It also works to moisturize your nails.

2. Wear rubber gloves whenever you do housework or wash dishes. Most household chores are murderous on your nails. To protect your digits from dirt and harsh cleaners, cover them with vinyl gloves whenever it's chore time. And for extra hand softness, apply hand cream before you put on the rubber gloves.

3. Pay attention to the cuticle – the seal between the nail and skin. Don’t clip or remove the cuticle, which can leave the nail open to infection. Instead, push back the cuticle gently with an orangewood stick. Do this after showering, when the cuticle is soft.

4. To trim nails, cut straight across with sharp nail scissors or clippers. Slight rounding of the tips is fine, but avoid filing nails into a point, which may cause weakening and make the nails more prone to damage. Soak nails that are difficult to trim in warm salt water for 5 minutes before trimming.

5. Dry your hands for at least two minutes after doing the dishes, taking a bath/shower. Also dry your toes thoroughly after swimming or showering. Leaving them damp increases your risk of fungal infection.

6. Air out your work boots and athletic shoes. Better yet, keep two pairs and switch between them so you're never putting your feet into damp, sweaty shoes, which could lead to fungal infections.

7. Wear 100 percent cotton socks. They're best for absorbing dampness, thus preventing fungal infections.

8. To make your nails as strong and resilient, take 300 micrograms of the B vitamin biotin four to six times a day. Swiss researchers found that people who took 2.5 milligrams of biotin a day for 5.5 months had firmer, harder nails.

9. Add a glass of milk and a hard-boiled egg to your daily diet. Rich in zinc, they'll do wonders for your nails, especially if your nails are spotted with white, a sign of low zinc intake.

10. File your nails correctly. To keep your nails at their strongest, avoid filing in a back-and-forth motion. Only go in one direction. And never file just after you've gotten out of a shower or bath. Wet nails break more easily.

11. Massage your nails to keep them extra strong and shiny. Nail buffing increases blood supply to the nail, which stimulates the matrix of the nail to grow.

12. Polish your nails, even if it's just with a clear coat. It protects your nails. If you prefer color, use a base coat, two thin coats of color, and a top coat. Color should last at least seven days but should be removed after 10 days.

13. Avoid polish removers with acetone or formaldehyde. They're terribly drying to nails. Use acetate-based removers instead.

14. At salons, be sure manicure and pedicure tools are sterilized in an autoclave, a machine that uses high heat to kill bacteria and viruses, or take your own set of tools to the salon.

Taking good care of your nails will help keep your nails healthy and also give you the opportunity to inspect them. Good habits and a little nail-care know-how can help prevent many minor nail problems. With a little care and attention to your nails, you’ll not only improve their appearance, but also ensure that your nails remain healthy.