Onycholysis

Onycholysis is a nail disorder characterized by separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. It frequently begins at the free edge and extends upward to the cuticle area. Less frequently, it begins at the cuticle area and extends downward. Onycholysis is most often caused by fungal and bacterial infections, excess moisture under and around the nail, and trauma. It can also result from medical conditions such as anemia, diabetes mellitus, hyper- and hypo- thyroidism, impaired oxygen and blood circulation, leprosy, lupus, sarcoidosis, syphilis, pregnancy, psoriasis, dermatitis, hyperhidrosis, congenital abnormalities of the nail, and carcinoma of the nail bed.

As a nail professional and soon to be nurse, the majority of onycholysis cases I’ve seen, resulted from trauma or fungal infections. Types of trauma includes: items being dropped on the hands, feet, or nails; stumping of the toe on hard objects; using shard tools to clean under the nails; and long toenails hitting the top of closed toe shoes (i.e. runners and walkers). Fungal and bacterial infections are often due to excess moisture, walking around barefoot, and getting pedicures at unsanitary salons.

To prevent onycholysis caused by trauma and infections, you should: dry feet thoroughly before enclosing them in socks and shoes; avoid wearing dark colored socks because fungus and bacteria breed in moist-dark conditions; keep toenails short or flushed with the skin; and use blunt implements to clean under nails using light strokes.

If you suspect that your finger or toe nails are undergoing onycholysis, please consult a licensed and sanitary nail professional, physician, and/or podiatrist. There are medications and over the counter topical agents that can be given or suggested to prevent further separation and/or generate new nail growth.

Scientifically Proven

Nourishing your mind, body, and spirit enhances your natural glow. A healthy diet, exercise, and skin/nail routine are what produce and keep healthy and strong nails, hair, and smooth skin. In addition to those things as well as regular scheduled manicures, certain supplements can provide a constant supply of essential nutrients that you may not receive from your diet. The following have been scientifically proven to help deliver firmer and healthier nails and skin.

Healthy and Strong Nails
Biotin - is a B vitamin needed for the formation of energy yielding fatty acids and glucose, and helps with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It’s a water-soluble vitamin that won’t build up in the body and cause side effects. It can be found naturally in food such as liver, cauliflower, salmon, carrots, egg yolks, sardines, mushrooms, bananas, and legumes. A recent study published by a professor of clinical dermatology at Columbia University, show that daily supplementation with 2.5mg of biotin significantly improves nail strength; thus making them firmer, harder, and less likely to crack or chip.

Soft and Smooth Skin
Omega-3 Fatty Acids – have been proven in countless studies to help heal dry skin and the rough red patches of psoriasis and eczema. A published study in the British Journal of Dermatology announced that volunteers with severe dermatitis taking high levels omega-3 oils saw a 30% decrease in symptoms. Omega- 3 essential fats surround the membranes of our skin cells. Our bodies cannot produce these essential oils, therefore we must obtain them from diet or supplements in order to keep the lubricating layer that keeps skin supple. They also aid in the production of hormones that improve skin texture and help combat the inflammatory damage caused by free radicals. Omega-3s can be obtained by eating salmon, mackerel, and albacore tuna twice a week and/or by taking 1,000mg of omega-3 oils a day


Always check with your physician before beginning a supplement regimen.

Hello Fall

Fall has graced us with its presence and before you know it, winter will be here. As many of you know, the cold, dry weather can wreak havoc on your skin, especially your hands and feet, causing them to become dry, cracked, and flaky. One way to combat this problem is to keep your hands and cuticles moisturized. There are many products on the market but there are some natural products that I recommend which are:

100% PURE & NATURAL SHEA BUTTER / SHEA INFUSED SHEA BUTTER
Shea butter is an all-natural vitamin A cream that serves as a superb moisturizer with excellent healing properties for the skin. The moisturizers in shea butter are the same moisturizers produced by the sebaceous (sweat) glands in the skin. Some body’s sebaceous glands produce more while other produce less. Shea butter is great for use on all skin types with all types of skin conditions. I also know first hand that it promotes and accelerates wound healing and soothes dry itchy skin.

Hands, Feet, Body
You can use shea butter as a total body moisturizers and on hands and feet throughout the day. For advanced moisturizing of the hands and feet, put on cotton gloves or socks after application.

OLIVE OIL
Olive oil is a natural product that can serve as a great hydrator to regenerate and soften the skin. It also hydrates and strengthens nails.

Hands, Feet
To obtain and/or maintain soft and smooth hands and feet, apply a generous amount of olive oil after your shower or bath and cover them with cotton gloves and socks. This could be done daily or several times a week.

Nails
If you have dry and brittle nails, you should soak them in a small cup of olive oil. This could be done several times a week to not only strengthen nails and soften cuticles, but to make nails shiny and healthy.

ALMOND OIL
Almond oil is a light, non-greasy oil that is great for nourishing the skin. It also contains strong concentrations of Vitamin E. Because of its non-greasy nature, it is easily absorbed into the skin. It has soothing, healing, lubricating, softening, revitalizing, and nourishing properties. It is also rich in minerals, vitamins, and proteins; therefore, it is excellent for sensitive or irritated skin. I do not recommended the use of almond oil if you normally have nut allergies in food.

Hands and Feet
You could use the same suggestions of use given above in the olive oil section. It can also be used as a total body moisturizer.

Body
Apply and rub into skin after your shower or bath.


Feel free to share your thoughts regarding my suggestions above as a comment to this blog entry. Also if you have any suggestions of all natural products for healthy hands and feet, feel free to share with Simply Beautiful blog readers.

You Get What You Pay For

Since I’ve been into nail care, I’m always amazed at the number of individuals who sacrifice quality service for cheap, bottom-dollar service from discount nail shops. I totally believe that you get what you pay for. This means that if you pay for a $25 pedicure, I guarantee your walking out the door with just as much dry and callused skin as you walked in with, as well as cuticle build-up, ridges, and possibly bacterium or fungus. Never the less, your nails will be esthetically pretty but the polish will only last for a couple of days…then its peeling and chipping time! If you get a $10 manicure, you may get cut from the nippers and develop hangnails within a day or two. If you get a $12 acrylic fill-in, your acrylic probably lifts within a week. Another downside of receiving service at a discount nail shop is that you don’t know what quality, professional brand name products, if any, they are using.

On the other hand, if you go to a professional nail salon or spa, you know that if you are paying $40 and up for a signature or spa pedicure, $20 or more for a classic or spa manicure, and $25 and up for artificial nail services, you are more than likely receiving quality service.

So f you’re searching for professional quality nail care service, please contact me for my service menu or the name of a shop or spa in your area (MD, DC, VA).

Have a Simply Beautiful Weekend!

All or Nothing!

If you wear any type of nail polish on your fingernails or toenails, I’m sure you have experienced some minor or major chipping. This can be frustrating and most of us continue to allow it to chip instead of taking it off and applying new polish. But I am here to tell you that you must make sure you have even and complete coverage of polish.

Causes...
Chipping is bound to happen! How soon and how much are determined by a number of factors:

1. The type of work performed by the hands
2. How the nail was prepped before the polish was applied
3. The quality of the polish (base & top coat, color polish or nail strengthener)
4. Health conditions that affect the fingernails and toenails

Do’s and Don’ts...
Since I’ve been into nail care, I’ve learned to adopt an “All or Nothing” mentality when it comes to nail polish; and I suggest you adopt this same frame of thinking. Polish makes your hands and feet “pop with color” and adds personality and interest. So if your nail polish has begun and continues to chip, remove the polish. Never put another coat of the same or a different color on top thinking this will cover the chipping. Now you have created a situation in which your polish is uneven: thick in some places and thin in others. Not to mention, when you finally take the polish off, it will take more cotton, remover, and time. Even clear polish chips and peels and when that happens, you are left with shiny spots here and dull spots there.

Solutions...
Some solutions that may help minimize chipping and keep polish “looking fresh, shiny, and bright,” is to put a clear coat of polish on your nails every two days, wear gloves when washing dishes or your hair, do not tap your nails on surfaces or put your fingers in your mouth.

So Now...
So remember, think, nice, even, complete coverage when wearing polish and adopt the phrase “All or nothing!”

Why should I care about keeping my nails, hands and feet groomed?

Have you ever paid attention to someone’s hands or feet and thought something like “How could they have the audacity to walk around looking like that?” It’s the truth right? But the main reason why many individuals walk around with issues like dry hands, skin build-up on their feet, and long discolored thickened toenails, is because they are not educated on the importance of nail and skin care.

Keeping well-groomed nails, hands, and feet, should be a part of your daily hygiene regimen. This goes for both men and women. Frequent manicures, pedicures, moisturizing, exfoliation, and a well balanced diet, will help keep your nails and skin healthy and simply beautiful. You know how good you feel when you get your hair done or cut, when you have on a new outfit, pair of shoes, perfume or cologne? Well having and maintaining nicely manicured hands and pedicured feet will make you feel good as well because it enhances your personal appearance.

Nails are also a prime source for the transmission of macro and microscopic organisms, toxins, and irritants, as well. In addition to bathing, washing your hands periodically throughout the day with antibacterial soap, using hand sanitizer, and even using antibacterial lotion are ways in which you can limit the amount of bacteria your nails harbor and transmit. When washing your hands, you need to make sure to wash under your nails free-edge and around the cuticle area. These are places where bacteria like to camp out. If you have a nailbrush handy, or even an extra toothbrush, you could use it to scrub around and under your nails when washing. When bathing, be sure to wash in between toes and under toenails and make sure your feet are completely dry before placing them in slippers or closed toe shoes. Fungi like to grow in dark, damp and moist places.

I hope today’s entry helps you to understand why it is important to keep your nails, hands, and feet well groomed!