Ragged cuticles can be annoying, but whatever you do, don't snip or bite them; they're the most important part of your nails. Here, dermatologist Phoebe Rich, M.D., of Portland, Ore., explains the correct way to care for this delicate skin.
THE BASIC FACTS
Fingernails and toenails are made of a protein called keratin. The exposed portion is called the nail plate and is composed of dead, compacted and hardened keratin. The nail bed is the skin beneath the nail itself. The cuticle is the dead skin that overlaps your nail plate at the base to form a seal. The nail is formed beneath the cuticle at the matrix.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
In forming a seal between the skin and the nail plate, cuticles protect the body from bacteria, yeast, even fungus. Here's what to watch out for:
* Minor redness, a symptom of irritation, can develop from cutting your cuticles or from immersing hands in household cleaning products.
* Itchiness and blisters around the cuticles and nails can be triggered by methyl methacrylate (MMA), used in the application of acrylic nails, and tosylamid/formaldehyde resin, found in some polishes.
* Discolored debris under the nail or separation of the nail from its bed are signs of a fungal infection.
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS
To keep your nails healthy, Beauty Rx:
1. Keep cuticles from drying out. Apply a moisturizer each time you wash your hands, and don't use nail polish remover more than once a week; it's too drying.
2. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when using household cleaning products.
3. If cuticles look ragged, gently rub away dead skin with a soft washcloth. Never push cuticles too harshly and fight the urge to bite your cuticles.
4. Be sure that your nail technician sterilizes all tools used during a manicure, or bring your own. Notice if the stations are clean, if the nail technician washes her hands between clients and if her license is displayed.
5. If you have an inflammation or an infection, see a dermatologist or podiatrist for a topical antifungal or antibacterial cream, or prescription oral antifungal like Lamisil tablets.
RELATED ARTICLE: THE NAIL
1. nail plate
2. nail bed
3. cuticle
4. matrix
5. bone
RELATED ARTICLE: WHAT WORKS
"There are a lot of misconceptions about cuticles--people think that they need to attack them," says Phoebe Rich, M.D., a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. "It's important to not let cuticles be cut, scraped or pushed to the point of breaking the seal between the nail and the skin," explains Rich, a former president of the Council for Nail Disorders and frequent speaker on nail safety for the American Academy of Dermatology. If your cuticle has grown way out on your nail, the best thing to do is gently rub away the dead skin with a towel. Never allow cuticles to be pushed and prodded with metal implements, Rich says. "Savvy consumers who follow these simple guidelines can protect their nails and keep them healthy and looking great."
COPYRIGHT 2004 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
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