| Are your fingernails embarrassing you? | | | | which claim to assist in ending nail biting. Usually, these |
| Judging by the ever growing market for false acrylic | | | | contain an unpleasant, bitter-tasting ingredient which is |
| nails, it would seem that many people prefer to hide | | | | painted onto the nails and surrounding cuticle. |
| their nails. | | | | Without doubt, though, good hypnotherapy is the most |
| Amazingly, the condition of your fingernails can reveal | | | | effective and easy treatment for nail picking and biting. |
| a clear picture of your general physical and mental | | | | Picking the nails can cause long term trauma, |
| health. | | | | weakening the nails and making them soft and easier |
| Beau's lines | | | | to tear and flake. Often the picker will be unaware that |
| Horizontal indentations in the nails which travel all the | | | | they are doing it. Wearing gloves, when possible, |
| way across can indicate diabetes or malnutrition | | | | makes indulging in this habit more difficult. Many people |
| amongst other things. The lines can also be the result | | | | grow out of these habits as they reach adulthood, |
| of an accident or a previous illness where there was a | | | | however some cannot manage to do so. |
| high fever. Some find that the lines simply disappear as | | | | When entrenched, both habits can be unresponsive to |
| the nail grows, while others will have to wait until the | | | | both will and desire and in this case external help is |
| nail growns out completely. | | | | usually required. Professional advanced hypnotherapy |
| Clubbing of the fingertips and nails | | | | can effectively and rapidly remedy both of these |
| Some conditions such as issues with the liver, heart, | | | | habits. |
| lungs or bowels can cause fingertips to grow wider | | | | Onycholysis |
| and the nails to curve around them. Named 'clubbing' | | | | In appearance onycholysis looks as though the nails, |
| this condition indicates that a medical check up should | | | | which are opaque, are detaching from the nail bed. |
| be considered. | | | | The nails will easily catch on material or other objects. |
| Discoloured Nails | | | | Instigated by injury, infection, thyroid issues or reactions |
| While most people know that some yellowing of the | | | | to medication, nail products or even by nails being left |
| nails can be caused by cigarette smoking (yet another | | | | to grow too long, this condition tends to be painless, but |
| reason to stop smoking), discolouring can be the result | | | | should be checked out by a doctor to ascertain any |
| of various medical conditions such as chronic bronchitis, | | | | treatment needed. |
| especially when taken in conjunction with other | | | | Spoon nails |
| symptoms. | | | | This unsightly condition is where the nails grow in a |
| Some respiratory conditions are indicated by all the | | | | concave manner and the sides appear to be away |
| fingernails being a dull yellow. Often thicker than normal, | | | | from the fingertips. It can be caused by an iron |
| the nails have a tendancy to grow really slowly. | | | | deficiency. When accompanied by general tiredness, |
| Fungal infections or lymphedema (swelling of the | | | | spoon-shaped nails can indicate anaemia. On a lighter |
| hands) could also be the culprit. | | | | note, spoon nails may be the result of a deformity due |
| Nails can take on a variety of colours ranging from red | | | | to injury and can grow out in time. |
| and black due to blood under the nails, to a greenish | | | | Split Nails |
| tinge or even white spots. A doctor's opinion should be | | | | Split fingernails can be prevented by regular use of |
| sought for any long term discolouration. | | | | moisturiser and use of rubber gloves when doing |
| Pitted Nails | | | | washing up or using chemicals. Nail polish remover can |
| Fingernails that have small indentations tend to plague | | | | cause split nails, therefore it is advisable to use it no |
| people who suffer from psoriasis or dermatitis. | | | | more than once a week. |
| Alternately pitting, taken together with hair loss, could | | | | Terry's Nails |
| indicate alopecia areata, a condition caused by | | | | Nails that have a pearlescent opaque appearance, |
| malfunctioning of the autoimmune system. | | | | often combined with a darker area between this and |
| Dirty Nails | | | | the white tips are known as Terry's Nails. Some health |
| Nails that constantly have a thick layer of dirt under | | | | issues can be the cause such as heart and liver |
| them show the world that the person to whom they | | | | problems, however the condition can also be caused |
| belong really does not have any respect for | | | | by malnutrition or simply old age. |
| themselves. In general, dirty nails of this sort are seen | | | | Vertical ridges |
| on the person who is careless about their appearance | | | | Narrow ridges running vertically from the cuticle to the |
| and health. Because of this, it may also be an indication | | | | tip of the nail may indicate a mild dietary deficiency |
| of depression and low self esteem. | | | | although this can also can be the result of hereditary |
| Nail biting and picking | | | | factors. |
| Often shown by nails which are very short, the nail | | | | Simply by being aware of the condition of your nails |
| biting and picking habits generally starts in childhood and | | | | and the messages they hold, you can ensure a healthy |
| can often be linked to worry or insecurity. There are a | | | | life. |
| whole range of products available across the counter | | | | |