Solutions For Nail Problems

• BACTERIA
  Often referred to as mold though the infection is actually caused by a bacteria called pseudomonas (also known as Greenies) which makes a green, greenish-black or yellowish-green color stain on the nail bed. This bacteria thrives in a warm and moist environment, especially in between the artificial nail and natural nail where moisture can be trapped if the artifical nail has not been fixed properly.

• BITING HABIT
  One popular way is to paint awful tasting nail polishes or liquids to the nail. Another alternative is to go for a professional manicure to get your nails looking really good and so perhaps that will refrain you from giving in to that biting urge.

• BLACK OR PURPISH COLOR
  May be due a traumatic injury to the nail (e.g. smashing) and would recover to it’s original color after healing is completed. Also linked to liver disease.

• BLUISH COLOR
  May be due to poisoning (arsenic) and lack of oxygen in the blood. Get a doctor’s attention.

• BRITTLE
  Other names : dry nails, onychoschisis, onychochizia, onychorrhexis

  Frequent immersion of fingers in water, exposure to harsh chemicals found in cleaning agents or a lack of zinc or EFAs (essential fatty acids) in the diet can cause brittleness. Symptoms include easy peeling at the nail edge, breakage and layering.

  Consume EFA-rich foods such as cold water fish (salmon, herring, halibut and mackerel), seeds and zinc-rich foods such as whole grains, egg yolk, seafood and meat.

  Certain health conditions could also turn nails brittle.

  According to Dr. Heinerman in his book “The Healing Power of Herbs”, he states that horsetail can help not only brittle nails but when combined with other herbs, can help treat other nail disorders such as thick nails, lengthwise ridges, deep blue nails and abnormally wide or squarish nails.

  Ms. Isabelle Navarre-Brown recommends in 76 Ways to Use Noni Fruit Juice (Direct Source, 2001) that noni fruit juice can be used to strengthen brittle, broken and unhealthy nails. Here’s how :
  1. Pour 1 or 2 tablespoons of noni juice into a bowl.
  2. Tear a cotton ball into several pieces big enough to cover the nails.
  3. Dip 1 side of a cotton piece into the bowl and place it (the wetted side) onto the nail.
  4. Repeat step 3 on each nail you wish to treat.

• CLUBBING
  Nails become enlarged and rounded. Has been linked to lung and heart diseases that cause a depletion of oxygen in the blood, and bowel disease.

• FUNGUS INFECTION
  Other names : mycotic nails, onychomycosis

  It is caused by microscopic organisms related to mold, yeast and mildew. Symptoms include itch, skin dryness, pain, blisters and the loosening of the nail plate. Nail fungus may spread when footwear is shared or in shower rooms (floor surfaces).

  Toenails are generally more prone to such an infection though fingernails are not spared either. Try applying grape seed extract twice a day and keep nails short.

  Ms. Isabelle Navarre-Brown recommends in 76 Ways to Use Noni Fruit Juice (Direct Source, 2001) that noni fruit juice can be used to treat fungus by applying on the affected nails with a cotton ball dipped in noni juice. Follow instructions as stated on Brittle nails.

• HANGNAIL
  A tiny piece of dead skin that lingers next to the fingernail. It is often the result of frequent exposure to water or it could be a lack of Vitamin B and C in the diet.

  Do not pull it off, trim it carefully. Pamper nails daily (or whenever needed) with a moisturizing lotion. Also take Vitamin B-rich foods like brown rice and green leafy vegetables and Vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables and peppers.

• INGROWN NAIL
  Other name : onychocryptosis

  Ingrown nail results when corners of the nail curves into the skin on the side of the toe. However
  some people born with ingrown toenails.

  Ms. Isabelle Navarre-Brown recommends in 76 Ways to Use Noni Fruit Juice (Direct Source, 2001) that noni fruit juice can be used to treat ingrown toenails by applying on the affected nails with a cotton ball dipped in noni juice. Follow instructions as stated on Brittle nails.

• PALE COLOR
  If nails look much lighter than the accompany skin, it may be due to a lack of iron or an underactive blood circulation. Consume more whole grains and green leafy vegetables.

• THICK TOENAILS
  A variety of causes which includes fungal infection, psoriasis and injury.

• WARTS
  These are skin growths caused by viruses belonging to the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. There are about 60 different types of HPV.

  Periungual warts grow around and under the fingernails and subungual warts grow around toenails. Common warts usually grow on the backs of hands, on arms, elbows and face while plantar warts grow on the soles of the feet and they are tiny black dots in them which are actually clotted blood vessels.

  According to Dr. Heinerman in his book “The Healing Power of Herbs”, he recommends adding a few drops of juniper extract over the padded portion of a plaster and taping it over the warts, making sure that the plaster is changed daily. Or empty it’s powder from a capsule then mix with water to form a paste and rub it onto the affected area before covering with gauze.

  Another method is to try is to apply a rich Vitamin E lotion or tea tree oil onto the affected areas twice a day.

• WHITISH SPOTS
  Other names : Leukonychia
  A lack of zinc or excess consumption of sugars. Cut back on sugar intake and opt for zinc-rich foods such as whole grains, pumpkin seeds, egg yolk, seafood, pecan and meat.

• YELLOW STAINS
  The 2 common culprits are nicotine stains from smoking and overuse of nail polish which can still penetrate through a clear base coat. A very easy solution is to stop smoking and give your nails a polish-free break once in a while.

  It is also associated with diabetes, liver problems and lymph disorders.

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