Nail Parlour

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Nail:                   Horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits.

Nail Plate:         The visible part of the nail on fingers and toes.

Nail Bed               The skin beneath the nail plate 

Matrix                     Found under the cuticle, the hidden part of the nail unit where the

                          growth takes place.

Eponycium         Or cuticle which is the fold of skin at the proximal end of the nail.

·         or

Lunula         Lunula                   This is part of the matrix and is the whitish, half moon shape at the base

                                         of the nail, usually most pronounced on the thumb.

                                                                     

Tissue that  Nail Folds             Tissue that overlaps the plate and rims the base of the nail.

Paronychium       Which is the fold of skin on the sides of the nail.

Free edge:          Part of the nail that extends past the finger, beyond the nail plate.

                                          There are no nerve endings, thus it does not hurt to cut it.

                   

                  What are nails     Nails are an extension of the skin. They are made of keratin, the same tough,

                                          fibrous protein that is found in eagle talons and rhino horns. If you lose a nail,

                                          it takes more than six months for it to completely grow back. Interestingly,

                                          nails grow faster in the summer, during pregnancy and immediately

                                          after an illness.

                 

                 

     The fingernail as a diagnostic tool

     A healthy nail bed should look pink, a sign that it's receiving a rich blood supply.

     The nail itself should be lustrous, strong and flexible. Nails that appear unusually

     white may signal liver disease, while cherry red nail beds with half moons may

     indicate heart irregularities. If you're anemic, your nails may look pale and easily break. 

     If you're diabetic, you may develop yellowish nails. Unusually thick nails may indicate

     circulatory problems, while severely ridged nails can be caused by kidney disease or

     poor nutrient absorption. Vertical ridges can also indicate a tendency to develop arthritis

     while horizontal ridges can occur as a result of severe stress, either psychological or

     physical, such as from infection and/or disease. 

     Concave, dry or white, spotted nails often mean that you're lacking in iron, calcium,

     zinc, protein, silicon, or vitamins A, B and C.

 

     Strengthening Your Nails

     Soap and water dries out nails just like skin. Regularly moisturizing your fingernails and

     cuticles with lotions or creams containing lactic, glycolic or malic acid helps keep the

     skin supple and myrrh may help condition the nails for longer growth.

    Nail Care
     Since many nail disorders result from poor nail care, developing good nail 

    habits early will help keep them healthy.

    Remember the following tips:

  • Keep nails clean and dry.

    This helps keep bacteria and other infectious organisms from collecting under the nail.

  • Nails should be cut straight across and rounded slightly at the tip for maximum strength.                                     

    Use sharp nail scissors or clippers. Filing the nails into points will weaken them.

  • Avoid biting fingernails, and do not remove your cuticle. 
  • Use a "fine" textured file to keep nails shaped and free of snags.

     Avoid ''digging out'' ingrowing toe nails, especially if they are infected and sore. Seek treatment.