Taking care of nails

Do not keep nails painted continuously. It causes keratin, of which nails are made, to split.

For horny, largely vestigial growths at the tips of your fingers, they are pretty important. For reasons of hygiene and for the multi-million dollar cosmetic industry.

It takes five months for nails to replace themselves. Grow nails only if you can keep them clean. (Sridhar Chillal has clawed himself into the Guinness Book of World records with nails on each finger of his left hand measuring about 3½ feet. With nails like that the hand must be pretty useless). Short nails make less trouble. Clip nails short, along their shape. Don't cut them so close that it pinches the skin.

A healthy body ensures healthy nails. Brittle or discoloured nails show up deficiencies or disease conditions.

Do not keep your nails painted continuously. It causes the keratin, of which nails are made, to split. Pamper your hands and nails once every three weeks with a manicure.

This requires soaking your hands in warm water for ten minutes, massaging of hands, thorough cleaning and shaping of nails. Choose your manicure kit with care. In some kits, the instruments are crudely made and they will do more harm than good.

(Source: Webhealthcentre.com)