Nourish and Strengthen Nails Naturally With Oils and Extracts

Infected Nails 

Nails are horn-like envelopes covering the tips of the fingers and toes. They are made of a tough protective protein called keratin. Healthy nail beds are pink, indicating a rich blood supply.

Nails abnormalities indicate nutritional deficiencies or an underlying disorder. Nail infections increase with aging.

Bacteria, fungi, and viral warts can infect the nail causing problems such as discoloration, dryness, distortion or pain, entering the nail when it is cut, exposed to irritating chemicals, or crushed.

The following are the most likely causes that we can observe in our nails:

• Brittle or crumbly nails: Mostly is a sign of long-term exposure to chemicals or water or zinc deficiency. They may also signify a fungal nail infection, under-, or overactive thyroid, or nail psoriasis.
• Cuts and cracks in nails may indicate the need for more water intake.
• Discolored nails: Yellow nails are a sign of fungal nail infection or nail It may also indicate problems with the lymphatic system, sinusitis, jaundice, chronic paronychia, or diabetes.

Green-black nails if it isn’t a nail fungal infection such as pseudomonas, it may be an internal bacterial infection.

Grey nails can be caused by medication such as minocycline.

White nails with pink near the tips can be a sign of cirrhosis.

• Thick nails may signify a fungal nail infection, bad blood circulation, or thyroid disease.
• A half-white nail with dark spots at the tips indicates a kidney problem.
• Overgrown horn-like toenails, (known as onychogryphosis). The nails become too hard to cut them. It is a disease that we usually see in older people or after long-term pressure on the nails.
• Thinning nails may signify lichen planus.
• Loose toenails: It is an injury caused by over-manicuring and cleaning under the nails with a sharp object. It may also indicate a fungal nail infection, psoriasis, poor circulation, warts, or an allergic reaction.
• Downward curved nail ends may indicate heart, liver, or respiratory problems.
• Red skin around the cuticles may signify a poor metabolism of essential fatty acids or lupus.
• Unusually wide, square nails can suggest a hormonal disorder.
• White lines running across nails are a sign of low levels of protein in the blood due to liver disease or malnutrition.
• Nails separated from the nail bed may signify a local infection or a thyroid disorder.
• Nails that broaden toward the tip and curve downward are a sign of lung damage.
• If the white moon area of the nail turns red, it may indicate heart problems.
• Nails with coloring hammered brass indicate a tendency toward partial or total hair loss.
• Flat nails can indicate Raynaud's disease.

Recommendations

• Take Lactobacillus daily. It helps restore beneficial bacteria in the intestine.
• Soak the nails in warm olive oil for ten minutes daily. They strengthen.
• Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates.
• Avoid tight-fitting shoes or gloves.
• Wear cotton or wool socks in order to allow moisture to escape from the feet.
• Apply a moisturizing cream daily in order to prevent dryness.
• Eat a diet rich in sulfur and silicon such as fish, broccoli, or sea vegetables.
• Apply a tincture of iodine to the nails until they become healthy.
• Keep nails clipped.
• Take supplements of vitamins B-complex, C, D, silica, zinc, calcium and magnesium, and iron.
• Drink a lot of water and a fresh carrot juice daily.
• Take a diet rich in essential fatty acids, kelp, or spirulina.
• Eat citrus fruits, vinegar, and salt.
• Eat fresh fruits and raw vegetables.
• Take care of the instruments that use your manicurist. They must be sterile.
• If you wear nail polish, use a base coat underneath it to prevent yellowing.

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