Keeping our nails clean and properly maintained is critical to preventing infection and other health issues, not to mention, looking polished and put together.

And while applying hand and cuticle lotion is a great step for keeping hands looking and feeling soft, it’s not enough to keep our nails healthy and strong.

This is why it’s important to pay close attention to what you’re doing and look out for red flags that your nails may not be getting the care they need.

Thankfully, board-certified dermatologist Dr Lindsey, better known by her social media username @dermguru, is here to guide us!

​

In a recent TikTok post, Dr Lindsey shared the four things that you should avoid doing to keep your nails in tip-top condition!

1. Don't open cans with your nails

Canned goods with pull tabs, such as tuna cans and soft drinks, may seem like they’re easy to open using your nails. However, it’s important to remember nails are not designed to be used as tools. so opening cans and other activities that are better suited to a pair of pliers can put them at risk of becoming damaged and traumatised.

So, you should stock up on a bottle opener and other handy tools, such as a butter knife to pull the tabs, to use in case you need to open some cans.

2. Avoid being barefoot at public pools and showers

Pathogens like fungal spores and bacteria are constantly lurking in the water and damp surfaces, especially in places that are warm and moist. If you visit a public pool, wear protective covering, such as thongs (or pluggers, depending on where you live) to avoid coming into contact with harmful microbes.

Wearing thongs in wet environments creates a barrier between your feet and the potentially contaminated floors. This helps prevent the spread of foot infections like fungal infections and warts, as well as athlete’s foot.

Numerous seemingly harmless activities can inadvertently damage our nails. Credit: Pexels/RODNAE Productions.

3. Don't dig out an ingrown nail

Ingrown nails often become infected quite easily, so you should never try to dig them out with sharp objects. Alternatively, if your nail is already inflamed, swollen, or sore, then it is best to consult a professional to help you with removal and treatment instead.

4. Don't wear the same shoes every single day.

Wearing the same shoes every day can create a number of problems for your feet including increasing moisture and leading to foot fungus and other types of infections.

In addition to this, the shoe may begin to fit incorrectly on your foot and can cause painful corns or calluses to develop over time.

These conditions can lead to the skin becoming cracked and raw and can then open the door for bacteria and other microorganisms to enter the body and cause infections.

To help avoid this, it is best to alternate between different shoes to allow the shoe to breathe between wears. In addition, investing in proper footwear that fits correctly is key to ensuring good foot health.

Key Takeaways

• Dermatologist Dr Lindsey shared advice on how to keep nails healthy.
• Never open a can with your nails or wear the same shoe several days in a row.
• Never go barefoot in public pool areas.
• Never dig out an ingrown nail, especially if it is infected, sore, or swollen.

There you have it, folks! Here at the SDC, we believe that taking good care of our nails is an essential part of maintaining good overall health and appearance. So, to avoid any possible problems, make sure to follow these tips!

I still remember a school teacher saying nails are the first thing to look at when meeting a new person as you can learn a lot!

Do you have any tips for keeping nails looking and feeling great? Share your tips and experiences in the comments section below.

 

[Ian Crane-Luff]

Keeping our nails clean and properly maintained is critical to preventing infection and other health issues, not to mention, looking polished and put together.

And while applying hand and cuticle lotion is a great step for keeping hands looking and feeling soft, it’s not enough to keep our nails healthy and strong.

This is why it’s important to pay close attention to what you’re doing and look out for red flags that your nails may not be getting the care they need.

Thankfully, board-certified dermatologist Dr Lindsey, better known by her social media username @dermguru, is here to guide us!

​

In a recent TikTok post, Dr Lindsey shared the four things that you should avoid doing to keep your nails in tip-top condition!

1. Don't open cans with your nails

Canned goods with pull tabs, such as tuna cans and soft drinks, may seem like they’re easy to open using your nails. However, it’s important to remember nails are not designed to be used as tools. so opening cans and other activities that are better suited to a pair of pliers can put them at risk of becoming damaged and traumatised.

So, you should stock up on a bottle opener and other handy tools, such as a butter knife to pull the tabs, to use in case you need to open some cans.

2. Avoid being barefoot at public pools and showers

Pathogens like fungal spores and bacteria are constantly lurking in the water and damp surfaces, especially in places that are warm and moist. If you visit a public pool, wear protective covering, such as thongs (or pluggers, depending on where you live) to avoid coming into contact with harmful microbes.

Wearing thongs in wet environments creates a barrier between your feet and the potentially contaminated floors. This helps prevent the spread of foot infections like fungal infections and warts, as well as athlete’s foot.

Numerous seemingly harmless activities can inadvertently damage our nails. Credit: Pexels/RODNAE Productions.

3. Don't dig out an ingrown nail

Ingrown nails often become infected quite easily, so you should never try to dig them out with sharp objects. Alternatively, if your nail is already inflamed, swollen, or sore, then it is best to consult a professional to help you with removal and treatment instead.

4. Don't wear the same shoes every single day.

Wearing the same shoes every day can create a number of problems for your feet including increasing moisture and leading to foot fungus and other types of infections.

In addition to this, the shoe may begin to fit incorrectly on your foot and can cause painful corns or calluses to develop over time.

These conditions can lead to the skin becoming cracked and raw and can then open the door for bacteria and other microorganisms to enter the body and cause infections.

To help avoid this, it is best to alternate between different shoes to allow the shoe to breathe between wears. In addition, investing in proper footwear that fits correctly is key to ensuring good foot health.

Key Takeaways

• Dermatologist Dr Lindsey shared advice on how to keep nails healthy.
• Never open a can with your nails or wear the same shoe several days in a row.
• Never go barefoot in public pool areas.
• Never dig out an ingrown nail, especially if it is infected, sore, or swollen.

There you have it, folks! Here at the SDC, we believe that taking good care of our nails is an essential part of maintaining good overall health and appearance. So, to avoid any possible problems, make sure to follow these tips!

I still remember a school teacher saying nails are the first thing to look at when meeting a new person as you can learn a lot!

Do you have any tips for keeping nails looking and feeling great? Share your tips and experiences in the comments section below.

Just have yoghurt daily, since I started having it for breakfast my hair and nails grow like wildfire

 

[Suzanne rose]

Calcium is important for nails .
Also clean well and use hand moisturiser.
I've always been a nail person can't stand dirty nails.

I go every 3 weeks and get a pedicure , after surgery I cannot bend to clean and cut my nails .

If you can reach your toes then cut nails regularly using a brush scrub nails and heels and apply moisturiser regularly.

 

[Luckyus]

Keeping our nails clean and properly maintained is critical to preventing infection and other health issues, not to mention, looking polished and put together.

And while applying hand and cuticle lotion is a great step for keeping hands looking and feeling soft, it’s not enough to keep our nails healthy and strong.

This is why it’s important to pay close attention to what you’re doing and look out for red flags that your nails may not be getting the care they need.

Thankfully, board-certified dermatologist Dr Lindsey, better known by her social media username @dermguru, is here to guide us!

​

In a recent TikTok post, Dr Lindsey shared the four things that you should avoid doing to keep your nails in tip-top condition!

1. Don't open cans with your nails

Canned goods with pull tabs, such as tuna cans and soft drinks, may seem like they’re easy to open using your nails. However, it’s important to remember nails are not designed to be used as tools. so opening cans and other activities that are better suited to a pair of pliers can put them at risk of becoming damaged and traumatised.

So, you should stock up on a bottle opener and other handy tools, such as a butter knife to pull the tabs, to use in case you need to open some cans.

2. Avoid being barefoot at public pools and showers

Pathogens like fungal spores and bacteria are constantly lurking in the water and damp surfaces, especially in places that are warm and moist. If you visit a public pool, wear protective covering, such as thongs (or pluggers, depending on where you live) to avoid coming into contact with harmful microbes.

Wearing thongs in wet environments creates a barrier between your feet and the potentially contaminated floors. This helps prevent the spread of foot infections like fungal infections and warts, as well as athlete’s foot.

Numerous seemingly harmless activities can inadvertently damage our nails. Credit: Pexels/RODNAE Productions.

3. Don't dig out an ingrown nail

Ingrown nails often become infected quite easily, so you should never try to dig them out with sharp objects. Alternatively, if your nail is already inflamed, swollen, or sore, then it is best to consult a professional to help you with removal and treatment instead.

4. Don't wear the same shoes every single day.

Wearing the same shoes every day can create a number of problems for your feet including increasing moisture and leading to foot fungus and other types of infections.

In addition to this, the shoe may begin to fit incorrectly on your foot and can cause painful corns or calluses to develop over time.

These conditions can lead to the skin becoming cracked and raw and can then open the door for bacteria and other microorganisms to enter the body and cause infections.

To help avoid this, it is best to alternate between different shoes to allow the shoe to breathe between wears. In addition, investing in proper footwear that fits correctly is key to ensuring good foot health.

Key Takeaways

• Dermatologist Dr Lindsey shared advice on how to keep nails healthy.
• Never open a can with your nails or wear the same shoe several days in a row.
• Never go barefoot in public pool areas.
• Never dig out an ingrown nail, especially if it is infected, sore, or swollen.

There you have it, folks! Here at the SDC, we believe that taking good care of our nails is an essential part of maintaining good overall health and appearance. So, to avoid any possible problems, make sure to follow these tips!

I still remember a school teacher saying nails are the first thing to look at when meeting a new person as you can learn a lot!

Do you have any tips for keeping nails looking and feeling great? Share your tips and experiences in the comments section below.

I only have one tip to stop biting your nails, (give your arse a good scratch)

 

[Suzanne rose]

I only have one tip to stop biting your nails, (give your arse a good scratch)

 

[Kaylee]

Don't wear the same shoes everyday.
I have arthritis in my ankle & have foot problems. My shoes cost $300.00 so i have 1 pair.
Unfortunately I can't afford to buy shoes at the drop of a hat.
I try to sanitise them at least once a week but I can't not wear shoes for too long.

 

[MindyMac]

Some pf us have weak nails. My finger nails have always been weak and yes, I drink a lot of milk. My medical condition drains all the calcium that I can consume. It is what it is. Just because some people have weak nails does not mean that they are unclean. It may, just may be due to a medical condition like me.

At least I still have my leg. I'm always at risk at having my leg amputated. I'd much rather have a crippled and yes painful leg than no leg. It's a leg after-all, isn't it.