A road map to healthy hand and nail care

Jet, March 17, 2003

The hands are one of the body's most essential parts. They can also be one of its most abused if not handled properly.

The same applies to nails. While some may believe that the only purpose nails serve is to look pretty, they serve several physiological purposes. They enhance fine touch and fine motor skills and protect the fingers.

For those reasons, healthy hands and nails are a must, and JET shows you how to achieve them both.

The single most important way to prevent the spread of infection is by washing your hands often. But, you should also be mindful that repeated hand washing can cause irritation or sensitivity, leading to dermatitis (inflammation of the skin).

Proper hand washing begins by wetting the hands thoroughly, first, before applying soap or an appropriate solution. Next, use warm water and pat hands dry rather than rubbing them. While the hands are still moist, use a moisturizer on the hands, cuticles and nails. Always use a suitable water-based hand cream or a lubricating cream.

Hands must also be protected if constantly submerged in water. Rubber gloves lined with cotton should be used to avoid contact with harsh soaps, detergents or chemicals. If your hands are constantly submerged in water, you can also apply a silicone or a similarly based protectant film that sheds water over the hands and nails if you elect not to use gloves.

Gloves are essential, however, when doing jobs that might damage the hands or nails, like gardening or shoveling snow. Barrier creams should always be used when dealing with particularly dirty and greasy jobs.

Nails must also be taken care of properly. One way to protect nails is by avoiding pick-up tasks. Instead of using the fragile nail, use the soft ends of the fingers. Nails will break and chip if used for pick-up tasks. But, if you find that your nails split and chip persistently, they may require a strengthening on a regular basis with a nail hardener. You should also avoid digging blindly into a drawer or purse. A sharp object may crack or break the nail and harm the fragile skin around the nail.

Nail polish Protects the nails from stains, physical trauma and acts as a barrier to chemicals. When applying nail polish, do not reapply nail hardener or polish more often than necessary. Agents can discolor nails and dry them, making nails brittle if overused. Use a base coat if you're interested in lasting polish.

When removing polish, use oil-based, not acetone removers. Do not use too much remover. Apply moisturizer after using nail polish remover in order to minimize the irritating and drying of the acetone.

Before bed, massage your hands with a cream or an oil for a few minutes. Then put on a lightweight, 100 percent cotton gloves to sleep in. You will awaken with soft, healthy hands.