Ayanna Williams had been growing her nails for over 25 years but she finally decided it was time for the ultimate manicure. Measured at a final length of 733.55cm (24ft 0.7in), Ayanna holds the current record for the longest fingernails on a pair of hands (female) – a record title she has held since 2017.
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I have noticed recently that my nails have an unusual color and shape, and I don’t understand why. Although I do enjoy gardening, I don’t have a job where I use my hands more than normal. I want my nails to be sturdy and healthy-looking. Can you provide some insight on how to achieve this and tips for properly taking care of my nails?
ANSWER: For anyone concerned with nail health, the first step is to take a close look at your fingernails. Are they strong and healthy-looking? Or do you see ridges, dents or areas of unusual color or shape? Many less-than-desirable nail conditions can be avoided through proper fingernail care. However, others can indicate an underlying condition that may need attention.
It’s important to understand what’s normal and what’s not. Your fingernails are composed of laminated layers of a protein called keratin that grow from the area at the base of the nail under your cuticle. Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits or grooves. They’re uniform in color and consistency, and free of spots or discoloration.
Sometimes fingernails develop harmless vertical ridges that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Vertical ridges tend to become more prominent with age. Fingernails also can develop white lines or spots due to injury, but these eventually grow out with the nail.
Taking care of your fingernails can be easy and attainable.
Not all nail conditions are normal, however. Consult your primary health care provider or a dermatologist if you notice:
- Changes in nail color, such as discoloration of the entire nail or a dark streak under the nail.
- Changes in nail shape, such as curled nails.
- Thinning or thickening of the nails.
- Separation of the nail from the surrounding skin.
- Bleeding around the nails.
- Swelling or pain around the nails.
To keep your fingernails looking their best, here are some easy tips to follow:
- Keep your fingernails dry and clean. Doing this prevents bacteria from growing under your fingernails. Repeated or prolonged contact with water can contribute to split fingernails. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when washing dishes, cleaning or using harsh chemicals.
- Practice good nail hygiene. Always use sharp manicure scissors or clippers when taking care of your nails. It’s important to trim your nails straight across, then round the tips in a gentle curve.
- Use moisturizer daily. When applying hand lotion, rub the lotion into your fingernails and cuticles, too, for optimal care.
- Apply a protective layer. This is a step in a healthy nail routine that people oftentimes don’t know about or overlook. Applying a nail hardener might help strengthen nails and cuticles.
- Ask your health care provider about biotin. Some research suggests that the nutritional supplement biotin might help strengthen weak or brittle fingernails. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns about if this right for you.
Taking care of your fingernails can be easy and attainable. If you start to notice anything abnormal, reach out to your primary health care provider or a dermatologist for more information.
COVID-19 is opening the door on a problem that has long vexed the medical community: the overtreatment and unnecessary treatment of patients.
Practicing certain behaviors can train your brain and body to mitigate your reaction to stressful situations.
Try to get most of your calcium and vitamin D from your diet. You can fill any gaps with a supplement. But don’t assume that “more is better.”
Although it may not be serious, a mole that bleeds is a possible sign of melanoma. Talk to a health care provider if you notice any changes in moles.
Sitting behind a computer screen all day can strain your eyes, but do glasses that claim to block blue light really help?
Have you noticed that you put things off more during the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, you are not alone.
In the United States, as many as a third of adults regularly partake in a midday catnap, according to the National Sleep Foundation. But the research on napping isn’t all rosy.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Health News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
Denial of responsibility! NewsAzi is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
