Do you have Finger/Toe Nail Questions?

[poohandwendy]

I have noticed more than a few finger and toe nail questions recently...as a manicurist, I figured it may be easier to just start a thread where people could post any problems or questions they have regarding their nails...and perhaps there are other nail tech/manicurists out there who would like to offer their expertise....

ok, so I am bored tonight, LOL....

I'll start this with a 'tip':

Always keep a nail brush (small with stiff bristles) at your sink and use it every time you wash your hands. Washing germs off the surface of your hands is NOT enough. The space under your nail tips (even short nails) is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria...a few seconds with the nail brush can greatly reduce the spread of germs...

 

[tonyswife]

I'm bored too.

How about foot questions in general? The skin on my heels is rough, really, really rough. Lately, it's started to peel of. Actually, it's more like "chunk" off because the skin is SO rough and dry. I know that makes it seem like I'm just a gross person, but I'm really a very clean person, I swear. Anyway, what can I do bout that? It HURTS where it's coming off.

As for the nail brush, I think that's an excellent tip. I recently (in the last two months) have stopped biting my fingernails and I have found I need to brush under my nails often.

 

[poohandwendy]

How about foot questions in general? The skin on my heels is rough, really, really rough. Lately, it's started to peel of. Actually, it's more like "chunk" off because the skin is SO rough and dry. I know that makes it seem like I'm just a gross person, but I'm really a very clean person, I swear. Anyway, what can I do bout that? It HURTS where it's coming off.

First, after a shower, apply Neosporin (antibiotic ointment) thickly to your heels and any dry skin, then put on old loose cotton socks and sleep with them on. You should see improvement in a few days, or a week or so (depending on how bad they are). After they are healed and do not hurt, you can do the following to prevent this from becoming a problem again:

As far as general softening up of dry heels (no tenderness/sores):

After a hot shower or bath, use a foot file to remove excess dead skin, being careful not to over file (it shouldn't hurt! and you do need to have SOME callous on your feet). Also, a good oil-based sea salt scrub (bath and body works make GREAT products) will remove dead skin.

I hope this helpos!

take care,
wendy

 

[tonyswife]

Thanks, I'll let you know how it works out. This fits perfectly actually since I shower right before bed (a two year old and a three month old do not make morning showers all that realistic)

So, neosporin, you think it's some kind of infection? It IS weird, and distressing.

 

[poohandwendy]

No, but the neosporin will do 2 things, a) hold the moisture in/ reduce the dryness (protect) because it is so thick and resistant to rubbing off AND b) prevent infection from occurring. If they are sore, it is likely that the skin is raw...a wound...

 

[poohandwendy]

I know that makes it seem like I'm just a gross person, but I'm really a very clean person, I swear.

I forgot to address this, LOL. It most certainly does not indicate poor hygiene....and you are not gross, it is just dry skin....

 

[tonyswife]

Originally posted by poohandwendy
I forgot to address this, LOL. It most certainly does not indicate poor hygiene....and you are not gross, it is just dry skin....

LOL. Thank you. I DO have dry skin in general.

I have a tip for hand washing for others with dry skin. As I mentioned, I have two small children. My two year old is *almost* potty trained but my baby is obviously not. I am frequently changing diapers and cleaning up near-misses with the potty so I am ALWAYS washing my hands.

The soap dries my hands so badly that they crack and bleed, especially in winter. Instead of using soap every time, I now use a baby hair brush. They come with every baby gift it seems, I have about a dozen of them. They are, I've found, useless for brushing a baby's hair. They are VERY soft fine bristles. I wash with lukewarm water and use the brush to "scrub" my hands. I immediately put eucerine on my hands after every washing. Seems to have helped alleviate some of the drying.

 

[Christine]

tonyswife,
Rough, dry, and cracked heels (and bottoms of feet) are also a sign of athlete's foot, even when you have no itching. I had my podiatrist tell me this. He prescribed an antifungal cream (Spectazole) and it help a lot. I know what you mean about the skin coming off it chunks--happens to me also. Then you get down to the raw skin of the feet and it hurts to walk.

Unfortunately, I am allergic to Neosporin so I can't use that. But, definitely try it. If you don't want to go to the doctor, go buy some over the counter Lamisil cream and apply that twice a day. It won't work as fast as a prescription, but it will help. That and the Neosporin and you should be feeling better.

Also, if you get a deep crack or tear, use some Liquid Bandage to fill it in. Works wonders for the pain. Just make sure that you clean the area very well before applying the Liquid Bandage.

 

[minnie56]

I have very, very dry calloused heels and even around the outside of my big toe. I have pedicures every 3 weeks and try everything in between to help them. My daughter even bought me loads of very special foot creams (to the tune of $222!!) for Mothers Day but nothing helps.I think I likely should see a Podiatrist....


Interesting tips here though!

 

[atlnewf]

I had tips put on my nails and I managed to break all of them off (I'm still not sure how). Anyway, they've left my nails very thin and brittle. What's the best thing to help my nails fix themselves? (Other than never getting tips again.)

Ashley

 

[Scratch42]

but I have been noticing lately that my nails have been getting ridges and are sometimes splitting lengthwise? Any suggestions.

TIA

Scratch

 

[poohandwendy]

Rough, dry, and cracked heels (and bottoms of feet) are also a sign of athlete's foot, even when you have no itching. I had my podiatrist tell me this. He prescribed an antifungal cream (Spectazole) and it help a lot. I know what you mean about the skin coming off it chunks--happens to me also. Then you get down to the raw skin of the feet and it hurts to walk.

Great point, I wasn't even thinking of that. Definitely try anti fungal cream if yyou cannot get rid of the dry, cracked skin.

I have very, very dry calloused heels and even around the outside of my big toe. I have pedicures every 3 weeks and try everything in between to help them. My daughter even bought me loads of very special foot creams (to the tune of $222!!) for Mothers Day but nothing helps.I think I likely should see a Podiatrist....

Do you wear high heels or tight fitting shoes alot? Sometimes shoes are the culprit...

I had tips put on my nails and I managed to break all of them off (I'm still not sure how). Anyway, they've left my nails very thin and brittle. What's the best thing to help my nails fix themselves? (Other than never getting tips again.)

Having tips put back on definitely will not solve the problem. How long has it been since the tips have been on? Trim the nails short and apply a good nail strengthener as directed (Nail Envy or Nail Tek work well). Then, be patient. It really can take up to a year for your nails to bounce back, unfortunately.

 

[minnie56]

Never wear those kind of shoes.

Built for comfort not for speed!!!

 

[atlnewf]

Eek, it's been about a month maybe a month & a half. Thanks!

Ashley

 

[poohandwendy]

but I have been noticing lately that my nails have been getting ridges and are sometimes splitting lengthwise? Any suggestions.

This can be caused by age or heredity. Are your cuticles pretty dry also? Applying cuticle oil can help.

 

[MeanLaureen]

Hi PAW - first I wanted to say thanks for the generousity of helping everyone out with their questions! That is a very thoughtful thing to do. I know a lot of people are hesitant to share their professions in fear of being asked a ton of questions.

My question to you is - my DH Obi-Wan Pinobi is a habitual nail chewer. He has chewed those things down halfway down the nail bed. What is a good way to break people of this habit?

TIA

 

[my3kids]

I have never has a manicure or a pedicure, but think I would like to try both! Does a person have to start somewhere, or would a manicurist take one look at my long neglected hands and feet and send me packing?

Signed,

Confessions of a Spa Virgin

 

[Poohbear123]

My DH does the SAME thing! Gad, his fingers looks acck! Also, I have a callous on the side of my big toe on my right foot--do I cut it away with scissors, or use a file? Thanks!

 

[katerkat]

Mine's fairly random - how do you pick a good manicurist? I've won some and lost some over the past couple of years. Usually pick them randomly from the phone book, since very few of the people I know actually go.

 

[Beth76]

Originally posted by tonyswife

The soap dries my hands so badly that they crack and bleed, especially in winter.

Anti-bacterial soap could be the culprit. I ran out in my kitchen and instead of refilling it (just too lazy) I started using my Dawn dishwashing soap. After a few days I noticed my hands were a lot less dry than before. Could be coincidence.