Your cuticles are an important part of your overall nail health. Found at the base of each nail, cuticles are small folds of skin that help keep your nails healthy and strong. When cut or damaged, they can become painful and lead to infection....
Though often overlooked, cuticles play an important part in the structure of your nails. When cuticles are left uncared for, they become dry and dehydrated, resulting in painful and unsightly hangnails. Your cuticles are significant because they...
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...
Nails are formed largely from keratin, which is a protein found in the skin and the hair. Beneath the matrix--the half-moon area below the cuticle on each finger and toe--new skin cells are constantly being formed. The newly-formed skin cells push...
Nail cuticle infections are often caused by bacteria, yeast or fungus. The medical term for an infection around the base of the nail is paronychia. Symptoms include redness, swelling and tenderness at the base of the nail, often the cuticle. The...
The nails on your fingers and toes play an important role in protecting the sensitive skin of your nail plate. The cuticle is also plays an role by sealing the nail bed off from bacterial and fungal infections. Both structures are a common target...
Taking care of your nails with proper manicure methods and moisturizer can go a long way towards keeping them healthy, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. On the other hand, brittle nails and dry cuticles can be an indication of more serious...
Cuticles may be dead skin, but they act as an important barrier between your nails and the outside world. They against bacteria that can enter the body through the nail beds if the cuticles are ragged or bitten. Cuticles that are too dry develop...
Your cuticle bridges the fingers and toes with the nails. Most people don't experience any problems with their cuticles. In some people, however, cuticles can develop dryness. This can be related to harsh external factors that irritate the...
Brittle nails are a bothersome condition due to overdrying of the cuticle and nail bed. This causes difficulty in growing healthy, strong nails. There are several over-the-counter remedies to strengthen and moisturize nails, however, olive oil...
The primary function of fingernails is to support and protect the tissues that are in a person's fingers. Additionally, a person's nails can provide information about the state of their health. According to the American Academy of Dermatology,...
Olive oil has been used for centuries to moisturize and condition the skin. Olive oil is used on the skin for its moisturizing, protecting, and anti-aging capabilities. Olive oil contains linoleic acid, which is beneficial for preventing water...
Cuticle oil is used to moisturize the cuticle, skin and nail area. It can protect the cuticle and nail against damage and improve the health and appearance of the cuticles and nails. Cuticle oil should not be used as a first-line of defense...
The nails in your fingers and toes are important functional parts of your body. Brittle nails have a tendency to break or tear easily, which can be very painful. The appearance and strength of your nails are directly related to the types of food...
Don't get embarrassed about dry, cracked skin on your feet when you wear sandals or other open-toed footwear. Several over-the-counter foot treatments can help combat excessive dryness that contribute to rough, cracked skin. For the best results,...
A pedicure involves improving the appearance of your feet. Whether the pedicure is done by yourself at home or by a professional, it may include cleaning, scrubbing, buffing and moisturizing of the feet. It usually includes care of the nails and...
Commercial cuticle oils are used to keep cuticles of your nails healthy and soft. Oil is an emollient; it seals in moisture and makes skin smooth and soft. Commercial cuticle oils contain simple ingredients and it is easy to make your own cuticle...
Both olive oil and vitamin E are used extensively in skincare. Both oils have purported moisturizing benefits. However, you need to make sure that you are purchasing the right type and quality of olive oil and vitamin E in order to benefit from...
The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology says that brittle nails are usually caused by environmental factors such as transitions from dry cold air to dry heat in Winter. Household detergents and acetone-based nail polish remover can also...
If you have problematic nails, you may want to consider using an over-the-counter cream to encourage healthy growth. These products are formulated for treatment of dry, brittle, cracked and dull nails. Nail creams can soften the skin surrounding...
If your nails break and crumble at the corners, your fingernails are brittle. Brittle fingernails are more likely to break than healthy nails, and may split in the middle. In most cases, brittle nails are no cause for concern, says the Mayo...
Under normal conditions, healthy skin effectively combats attack by viral, fungal and bacterial aggressors. Skin has both a physical and a chemical barrier. The physical barrier is made up of dead cells that are mostly keratin, a protein also...
Healthy nails and cuticles are necessary for nail growth. Nails are made from layers of a type of protein called keratin and can be fragile. Eating a healthy diet and following proper nail care are easy ways to keep nails strong and growing, but...
The cuticle is the protective skin that borders the nails on your hands and feet. Cuticles shield the nail bed from fungus and bacteria by providing a barrier to prevent them from entering. The Mayo clinic advises moisturizing the nails and...
Healthy strong nails are a popular aesthetic feature, but they can also be used as health indicators of the health of the body. Since the growth of nails and their health can actually be seen, doctors are able to look at nails for hints at certain...
Strong, beautiful fingernails not only look good on your hand, they are a sign of good health. Because some conditions, such as heart or kidney disease, can change the color of nails, it is important to pay close attention to the health of your...
Although the cuticles at the base of your fingernails and toenails are composed of dead skin cells, they're fully functional. They help protect the roots of your nails and promote strong, healthy nail growth. Without them, the risk of nail damage...
Nail-biting, or onychophagia, is a condition that involves chewing on the nails, cuticles and soft tissue around the nail beds. A child that feels nervous, anxious or worried may engage in nail-biting without even realizing that she is doing so....
