NEVER NEGLECT A SKIN PROBLEM, Nails

NEVER NEGLECT A SKIN PROBLEM 

It is important to understand that there are literally hundreds of skin ailments, both minor and major; that a skin condition can mirror an internal disorder-a disease of lungs, liver, heart, or other organs of the body; that it may also indicate general poor health, or a vitamin or other nutritional deficiency. Without years of study, you cannot learn all the skin ailments and all the possible meanings of changing skin conditions. Some, in fact, are difficult for physicians to identify and may require special study by specialists. For this reason, and because the significance of skin changes varies greatly, it is important to consult a doctor if anything unusual happens to your skin. He may be able to quickly relieve your mind of worry; and if it is a serious or potentially serious problem, the opportunity you give him for early diagnosis and early treatment is likely to be of great help in preventing complications and making possible eradication and cure.

NAILS 

generally, fingernails need little special care. In fact, most infections such as abscesses, whitlows, paronychia, or "runarounds" are caused by excessive care-too much manicuring of the cuticle. Push the cuticle back gently. Do not use a sharp instrument for this or for nail cleaning. Generally, any nail polish you happen to like can be considered safe to use if it does not produce irritation because of allergy or sensitivity. It's a good idea to tryout any new polish on a single nail at bedtime and make certain it is safe to use on your other fingers in the morning. Excessive dryness encourages the development of hangnails, and plain oil or a hand cream can be helpful in correcting the condition. If a hang- nail develops, it will heal over in a few days if protected by a small bandage. Brittleness of the nails does not, as many people still believe, stem from a deficiency in proteins, vitamins, or any other recognized nutrient. 

Brittleness can be caused by external factors such as detergents, solvents, and manicure preparations. To some extent, brittleness increases with age. Nails tend to be plastic when moist, brittle when dehydrated. It is possible that frequent use of nail polish removers containing solvents produces some decrease in water-holding capacity. Some investigations suggest that gelatin in large daily doses may be helpful, although, in general, physicians are convinced that no significant improvement is to be expected from gelatin. In some instances, brittleness can be traced to impaired thyroid gland functioning, a circulatory disturbance, or other systemic disorder. If you are bothered by persistent brittleness without obvious external cause, your physician may well be able to help.