Ingrown toenails are a common, painful problem that may limit your ability to go about your normal daily activities. This condition most frequently occurs on the big toe, but may arise in the smaller toes as well. Though ingrown toenails can be a...
Fingernails and toenails, like hair, form from protein and act as a protective covering for your digits. Several factors come into play that can affect nail growth. Some of these factors may leave you with deformed or brittle nails, or in some...
The health of your fingernails and toenails indicates your overall health. Nails, which are made up of layers of a hardened protein called keratin, function to protect and support the tissue of the fingers and toes. Many diseases, including lung,...
The condition of your fingernails and toenails can be an indicator of health problems in some cases. Yellow toenails could be caused by fungus, a bacterial infection or nail polish staining, but they are typically not caused by a vitamin...
Bacterial paronychia, a common infection around the nail of a finger, occurs when bacteria enter. Bacteria readily enter small injuries caused by nail biting or picking at the fingers. Thumb sucking can cause paronychia in small children. The area...
Regular trips to the salon can ward off dry brittle nails (or at least cover them up), but they can also be costly. You can grow long healthy nails by eating a balanced diet and practicing simple, at-home nail care.
Unusual nail growth may signify health problems ranging from psoriasis to vitamin deficiency. If your nails have recently exhibited changing growth patterns, visit your doctor to examine the possible causes. While many of these nail problems...
Your body can undergo a variety of symptoms when it's trying to tell you that something is wrong. White lines on the fingernails, fingernail discoloration or texture changes in the fingernail all point to more serious conditions. In some cases,...
Biting your nails and picking at your cuticles won't cause permanent damage to your nails, says Mayo Clinic dermatologist Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D., but it's not exactly hygienic. Biting your nails and cuticles exposes you to bacterial infections...
If you feel uncomfortable showing off your nails, you might suffer from weak, brittle nails that are discolored or have ridges. Improving the health of your nails can help prevent bacterial infections, boost the condition of the nail bed and...
Your nails and your skin have this in common: they both tell tales about your health. Not everyone has the same shape of nails, but certain things all healthy nails have in common. They are smooth, strong, and their color is neither white nor...
An ingrown fingernail occurs when the side of the nail grows into the skin. An ingrown fingernail is usually painful. You may notice redness, swelling or pus pockets around the ingrown area. If the nail is infected or has grown far into the skin,...
Fingernails can provide a snapshot of your overall health. Certain health conditions, injuries or nutritional deficiencies affect nail formation. Because nails grow slowly, deformities caused in the past remain visible for months. Changes in nails...
Nail care and hygiene are necessary to maintain the appearance and health of your hands and feet. Improper nail care may result in numerous painful occurrences and lead to a fungal or bacterial infection developing. Keeping your nails tidy and...
There are many human nail diseases. According to MedlinePlus, toenails and fingernails consist of multiple layers of the protein keratin, hard substance that provides protection to the toes and fingers. Nails typically are smooth and consistent in...
Fingernails and toenails reveal volumes about your body. Nail discoloration can be attributed to reactions to medications, bacterial and fungal infections, age, smoking or melanoma. As cited by Dr. Robert W. Griffith in a December 2009 article...
Nail fungus is a common health problem that can be extremely difficult to treat. MayoClinic.com states that nail fungus can spread from one nail to another, and it can cause your nail to become thicker, discolored, unsightly and, in some cases,...
Nail ridges are raised lines that typically run vertically across the fingernail or toenail. Although they usually develop in adulthood, they can appear in people of all ages, even babies. They often are not a cause for concern, but they can...
A common fungal family called dermatophytes causes ringworm. The fungus can infect any area of the body where there is skin, hair or nails, and the infection is named for the part of the body that it infects. The parasites do not need light to...
Your fingernails actually do serve a purpose. Fingernails help protect your fingertips and make it easier to grasp certain objects such as a loose piece of thread; they also come in handy when you have an itch that needs scratching. However,...
Tea tree oil is extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia leaves, a tree native to Australia. The oil has antiseptic properties and is used in the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections on the skin and nails, especially against Pityrosporum...
In order to see your nails grow you need a daily nail care regimen that will promote strengthening. For optimal results you need to treat your hands with the same tender, loving care that you would give other parts of your body. Providing the...
The outward appearance of your nails can actually be a reflection of the health of your body on the inside. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the rate of growth for fingernails is two to three millimeters a month and toenails is...
Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis most commonly affects the palms of your hands, the soles of your feet and your armpits. Hyperhidrosis can significantly affect your quality of life and can cause considerable...
Excessive sweating while you exercise can be alarming. It can be caused by many environmental factors and conditions, some that require the attention of a doctor. This makes it important to understand what can cause an increased amount of sweating...
The appearance of nails can change because of normal events such as aging; however, MedlinePlus notes that abnormal conditions of the nails include changes in color, texture, shape or thickness caused by injury, infection, disease or poisoning....
The most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis. Patients with this type of psoriasis frequently may exhibit thick patches of reddish skin all over the body, but especially on the elbows, knees, scalp or groin. Some patients have reported...
Tea tree oil, an essential oil steam-distilled from the leaves of an Australian tree in the myrtle family, is used on the skin for cuts, minor burns, athlete's foot and insect bites. It may also be useful for bacterial or fungal skin infections....
