Some people love getting manicures and pedicures on a regular basis to take care of their nails and pamper themselves. But you don’t have to be the “spa type” to care about your nail health and prevent unsightly and painful conditions before they become serious problems. Nail health is a reflection of overall wellness. So chances are that if your nails are unhealthy, other parts of your body are too.
Without adding any chemicals or expensive treatment options, here are some all-natural tips for healthy fingernails and toenails.
Understand Your Personal Nail Problem
There are many different factors that affect nail health and conditions that impact the wellness of your nails. For example, ingrown toenails and nail fungus are common conditions that many people struggle with. Brittle nails are another condition that many people have, and this is often caused by nutrition deficiencies. Also, some skin conditions, like psoriasis and alopecia areata, can affect the nails as well.
Fight Nail Fungus
As mentioned above, nail fungus is one of the most disagreeable conditions that you can experience with your nails. It involves the nail turning thick, brittle, and discolored. One of the best natural remedies for nail fungus is tea tree oil because it has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties. Use tea tree oil right after you bathe or shower so that your nails are softer and more receptive to the oil. You can also fight fungus with powders to sprinkle into your socks and changing into clean socks when your feet become sweaty. If you are in a warm climate, use sandals instead of closed shoes, to allow your feet to stay dry and the air to circulate around your toes. A Seagate natural homeopathic product that can also help is OliveViate. Apply it around the toenail, while also taking Olive Leaf Extract capsules as a supplement. Hopefully you will start to see healthy new pink skin growing out from the cuticle within a couple of weeks.
Get Your Biotin
What you eat has a big impact on your nail health, and one of the most important vitamins in this regard is biotin, which is a B vitamin. Biotin helps strengthen and thicken nails, which is ideal for individuals who are concerned about the brittle nails they have. Just know that you may need to take biotin supplements for several months before noticing a difference.
Consume More Fish Products
Another way that you can improve nail health with you diet is by consuming more fish products. This is because essential fatty acids contained in fish and flaxseed are excellent for strengthening the nails. If you don’t like the taste of fish, you can also take Omega-3 Shark Liver Oil capsules.
Other Foods for Nail Health
But fish isn’t the only healthy food that benefits healthy fingernails and toenails. Other food-based home remedies include extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, lemons, and orange juice. Horsetail is an herb that’s also great for nail health and is a good source of calcium and silica.
Moisturize Nails Daily (unless you are fighting fungus)
Just like skin, nails require a daily dose of moisture. So make sure to moisturize with nourishing ingredients like petroleum jelly or thick creams with natural ingredients. The easiest and best way to moisturize is to apply lotion before bed and then put on gloves or socks. This helps to trap in the moisture while you sleep without inconveniencing your schedule. As a preventative measure, always wear gloves when you do dishes or other household cleaning tasks.
Wear Quality Socks & Shoes
To maintain good foot health, it’s important to wear properly fitting socks and shoes. This means bypassing the high heels and choosing sensible shoes. Wool socks or cotton socks are good because they contain natural fiber. Avoid man-made fibers — nylon, orlon, polyester etc. Wear a clean pair of socks every day, and avoid tight-fitting shoes as much as possible. Once the weather gets warmer, it is better to wear very lightweight shoes or even open sandals that let the air circulate around the toes and allow the toes to stay dry.
Get a Hand or Foot Massage
A hand or foot massage may seem like an indulgence, but it actually works wonders to restore blood circulation to your fingers and toes. Better circulation translates to better nail health. Our extremities are far from the heart and are often affected by blood flow. Exchange massages with your partner for a fun bonding activity, or book a professional massage at your local spa. Not only can massages benefit your physical health, but your state of mind and sense of serenity as well.