Take Care of Your Fingernails

Mom never stops
being your mother

Last week I was happy to announce that I finished updating this blog. After 25 years, I organized topics a little better and added a bit of whimsy. This week it's about how to take care o your fingernails. It's more important than I realized.

Did you know that your fingernails are a gauge for your body's health? Go ahead. Glance at your fingernails right now. Do they look good? Strong? Healthy? Do you see any ridges, nail dents or any unusual color? Do your fingernails break and crack easily?

Fingernails are actually laminated layers of a protein called keratin that grow from the base of the nail under your cuticle.

Fingernails that are healthy look smooth without any pits or grooves. The nail is uniform in color and free of any discoloration.

Your nails can signal health problems such as iron deficiency, kidney disease and nutritional deficiencies. Nail discoloration and changes in how fast your nails grow also signal various lung, heart, kidney and liver diseases, as well as, diabetes and anemia.

Here are signs of not-so-healthy fingernails. According to the Mayo Clinic, consult a doctor if you see:

* Nail color changes, discoloration or dark streak under the nail
* Changes in your nail shape, such as curled nails
* Thinning or thickening of the fingernails
* Separation of the fingernail from the surrounding skin
* Bleeding around your fingernail
* Redness, swelling or pain around a fingernails

Here's how to take care of your nails: The Mayo Clinic recommends that you use moisturizer at least once a day. Gently rub hand lotion on your fingers, and slowly massage into your fingernails and cuticles before bed. It only takes a few minutes. Both men and women should take care of your fingernails.

  Happy thoughts!