Healthy Nails Look Best

Be aware of conditions and treatments to help prevent your nail problems… There are certain disorders or illness that can affect the nail. All of then have their own treatment as well. Given below are a few disorders and how to deal with them.

Nail disorders and procedure to handle them:

• Discolored Nails: In this condition the color of the nail changes. It may change to green, yellow, blue, red and/or purple. The change in color may be caused by a heart condition, poor blood circulation or medicines being used. You can cover up the discoloration by using nail polish or artificial nails.
• Eggshell Nails: Nails that are very thin and fragile are called Eggshell Nails. In this condition the nail curves over the tip of the finger. This maybe a result of nervous disorder, diet or medication. The treatment is to keep your nails trimmed at all times. If you realize that this condition is being caused by medication discontinue the medication.
• Furrows: These are long ridges that run up and down or across the nails. These may be caused by poor blood circulation, medication, lack of zinc in your diet or frostbite. Some may get deeper as time passes. Applying ridge filler of any kind or buffing can hide the ridges.
• Hangnails: Is medically known as agnails. In this condition the cuticle becomes dry and cracks. Hangnails are caused by dryness of cuticles or when cuticles have been cut too close. You can apply cuticle oil and trim the hanging skin.
• Onychauxis: In this condition your nails become abnormally thick. This normally happens with your toenails. This can be caused by an unbalanced diet; infection or it could be hereditary. Filing and buffing the nail can reduce its thickness.
• Ingrown Nail: Is medically known as onychocryptosis. The nail grows into the sides of the skin around the nail. Wearing ill-fitting shoes or using a file in an improper way can cause this. If the nail has grown deep into the skin then a only a doctor can remove it.
• Bitten Nails: Bitten nails or onychophagy can deform your nails it you bite them continuously or if they are bitten too far down. The only treatment is to stop biting them. Regular manicures and artificial nails can improve the way your nails look.
• Pterygium: Is when your cuticles grow over your nails. If they are not prevented they could grow right over your nails. Use cuticle oil to soften the skin, use a cuticle pusher to push back the cuticles to their place. Use cuticle clippers to trim away the loose skin.

Many of these conditions if not taken care of in the initial stage can become very painful and permanent. So remember to take care of nail disorders immediately.

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Foot Care And You

Your feet are multifarious structures, which may reflect your general health and comfort. Symptoms such as persistent pain or soreness are warning signs. If, for example, you neglect a painful joint, it can deteriorate and become acutely painful. Then you may start walking badly to avoid the pain

and that can lead to more serious postural problems.

• Wear footwear that supports the foot properly, reducing the chance of injury.
• Don't wear the same shoes every day.
• Choose footwear made of natural materials to help your feet to breathe.
• Air trainers before and after exercise to prevent build up of bacteria.
• If you suffer from knee, hip or back pain, which has resisted treatment, consider visiting a state-registered chiropodist. Sometimes a small structural or functional imbalance in the foot may cause problems further up the body. What you wear on your feet can affect you further up your body.
• Change stockings or socks at least once a day. Choose socks containing at least 70 per cent cotton or wool. Some socks made from man-made fibers can help keep sweat away from the skin, keeping the skin dry and reducing odor.
• Calf stretches help to keep feet supple and keep a good range of movement. To stretch your calf and heel, stand facing a wall with feet hip width apart and slightly bent at the knee. Take one step forwards, and using your arms to lean against the wall, keep your leg in front bent and the leg behind straight. Both feet should be flat on the ground. Lean in towards the wall, as you do, you should feel your muscles stretching in your calf and heel. Hold and slowly return to a standing position. Do this with each leg about five times. Seek further help if you experience problems doing this exercise.
• Vary your heel heights from day to day, one-day wearing low heels, and the next day slightly higher heels.
• Vary shoe types.
• For everyday use, keep heel heights to about 2cm.
• Consider wearing shoes with a strap or lace over the instep rather than slip-ons. This will help stop your foot sliding forward, a bit like a seatbelt in a car.
• Diabetes can affect the feet. People suffering from diabetes may experience poor circulation and sensation in their feet. Even the smallest injury can lead to infection, which, if not treated promptly, may lead to serious complications. If you have diabetes, it is important to examine your feet daily. Anyone with diabetes should consult their podiatrist regularly and have a full annual review and assessment.
• To refresh feet, massage gently with a foot roller, or better still, ask you partner to massage your feet.
• Sitting with your feet up for 10 minutes after a long day helps circulation.
• Your feet can mirror your general health - conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and neurological and circulatory disorders may show initial symptoms in the feet.
• Circle your feet ten times in each direction, keeping your leg as still as possible.
• Consciously straighten your toes and wriggle them around.
• Raise, point and then curl your toes for five seconds each, repeated ten times which is particularly good for your toe cramps or hammer toes.
• Circle the alphabet with your feet. (A good exercise you can do while sitting at your desk in the office.)
• Visit a registered podiatrist/chiropodist for advice. You can take your shoes with you for specific advice on footwear.

Visit:http://beauty.indobase.com/foot-care/index.html

Strech Marks

Stretch marks are a normal part of puberty for most girls and guys. When a person grows or gains weight really quickly (like during puberty), that person may get fine lines on the body called stretch marks. Stretch marks happen when the skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching. Although the skin is usually fairly elastic, when it's overstretched, the normal production of collagen (the major protein that makes up the connective tissue in your skin) is disrupted. As a result, scars called stretch marks may form.

If you're noticing stretch marks on your body, you're not alone. Most girls and women have stretch marks, which tend to show up on the breasts, thighs, hips, and butt. Many women get them during pregnancy. And while they're more common in girls, guys can get stretch marks, too.

People who are obese often have stretch marks. Bodybuilders are prone to getting stretch marks because of the rapid body changes that bodybuilding can produce. Stretch marks also may occur if a person uses steroid-containing skin creams or ointments (such as hydrocortisone) for more than a few weeks, or has to take high doses of oral corticosteroids for months or longer.

At first, stretch marks may show up as reddish or purplish lines that may appear indented and have a different texture from the surrounding skin. Fortunately, stretch marks often turn lighter and almost disappear over time. But the fact that stretch marks usually fade and become less noticeable over time can be little consolation if you plan to spend most of your summer in a bathing suit.

Making Them Less Noticeable

Here are some things to consider if you want to make stretch marks less noticeable:

• Some people find that sunless tanning treatments (both over-the-counter lotions and sprays and in-salon types of treatments) can help cover up stretch marks. This doesn't work for regular tanning or tanning beds, though, because stretch marks themselves are less likely to tan. And as everyone knows, the sun and tanning beds do more harm than good when it comes to the long-term health of your skin.
  
  You also can buy body makeup matched to the tone of your skin that can make stretch marks all but invisible. Although some manufacturers make these cover-up products water-resistant, makeup may not be the best solution if you'll be spending a lot of time in the water.
• Speaking of pool or beach time, the good news is that current fashion favors many styles of bathing suits that also just happen to hide stretch marks. "Boy short" style suits (popular with many athletes because they don't ride up when a person moves) work well for hiding stretch marks on the buttocks and upper thighs. And because many swimmers prefer high-neck bathing suits, which can hide stretch marks in the chest area, there are usually lots of styles to choose from.
• Although there are tons of creams and other skin products on the market that claim to eliminate stretch marks, the truth is that most are ineffective and often costly. You can't make stretch marks go away entirely without the help of a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes in treating skin problems) or plastic surgeon. These doctors may use one of many types of treatments — from actual surgery to techniques such as microdermabrasion and laser treatment — that reduce the appearance of stretch marks.
  
  These techniques are expensive and are not usually recommended for people in their teen years because they are not finished growing and their stretch marks will probably diminish over time anyway.

Reviewed by: Patrice Hyde, MD
Date reviewed: July 2007

TeensHealth

Other Skin Conditions

Warts are tiny skin infections caused by viruses of the human papilloma virus (HPV) family. There's no way to prevent warts from occurring (other than avoiding contact with people who have them). But if you do get them, don't rub, pick, or scratch them because you can spread the virus and get new warts. Some over-the-counter medications containing special acids can help get rid of warts, but it's always a good idea to see your doctor before trying one. If you find warts in your genital area, you should see your doctor, who can recommend the best treatment method for that sensitive area.

Another type of wart-like viral infection is molluscum contagiosum. (It's not as scary as its name sounds!) Like warts, it can be transmitted through scratching and sexual contact.

Fine white or purplish lines on the skin called stretch marks are pretty common in most teens. Stretch marks are formed when the tissue under your skin is pulled by rapid growth or stretching, like during puberty. Stretch marks usually fade on their own over time. Talk to a dermatologist if you're concerned about them.

Because our skin is the most visible reflection of what's going on in our bodies, people equate healthy skin with beauty. But healthy skin is about more than just good looks; it's essential to our survival. So keep your skin glowing with the right skin care techniques and by eating well and getting lots of exercise.

Reviewed by: Eliot N. Mostow, MD, MPH
Date reviewed: April 2007

TeensHealth

Eczema

Eczema is a condition that causes skin to become red, itchy, and dry. If you have eczema, you might notice that you are prone to getting itchy rashes — especially in places like where your elbows and knees bend or on your neck and face. The symptoms of eczema can vary from person to person. Though you can't cure eczema forever, you can take steps to prevent it from flaring:

• Stay away from things like harsh detergents, perfumed soaps, and heavily fragranced lotions that tend to irritate the skin and trigger eczema.
• Because water tends to dry out the skin, take short, warm showers and baths. If you're going to have your hands in water for a long time (like when you're washing dishes or your car), try wearing gloves.
• Soothe your skin with regular applications of a fragrance-free moisturizer to prevent itching and dryness. Creams generally moisturize a bit better and last longer than lotions for most people. Creams work best if applied when the skin is slightly wet, like just after bathing.
• Be careful which fabrics you wear. Cotton is good because it's breathable and soft. (But if you are exercising, some of the newer synthetic materials actually keep you drier and are better for you than cotton.) Try to stay away from materials like wool or spandex that may cause irritation or allergic reactions.
• Keep stress in check. Because stress can lead to eczema flares, try activities like yoga or walking after a long day to keep your stress levels low.
• If you wear makeup, look for brands that are free of dyes and fragrances that can aggravate eczema.

If you're having trouble managing your eczema, talk to a dermatologist, who can suggest ways to better control it.

TeensHealth

Cold Sores

Cold sores usually show up as tender "pimples" on the lips. They are caused by a type of herpes virus (HSV-1, which most often is not sexually transmitted) so they are contagious from person to person. Once you get this virus it stays in your body, meaning you'll probably get cold sores every now and then throughout your life. Here are ways you can help prevent cold sores from making an appearance (or reappearance if you've had them in the past):

• Avoid getting cold sores in the first place by not sharing stuff like lip balm, toothbrushes, or drinks with other people who might have cold sores. The virus that causes cold sores is transmitted through the nose (in mucus) and the mouth (in saliva).
• People who have the virus know that cold sores can flare up from things like too much sun, stress, or being sick. Just one more reason to lather on that suntan lotion, eat well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep!

If you do have a cold sore, here are some tips for keeping yourself comfortable:

• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the cold sores are painful.
• Suck on ice pops or cubes to ease pain and keep cold sores cool.
• Stay away from acidic foods (like oranges, tomatoes, and lemonade) and salty, spicy foods, which can cause irritation.
• Don't pick at cold sores while you're waiting for them to go away. They may bleed or become infected with bacteria.

Usually, cold sores go away on their own after a week or two. But if you get them frequently or they're a problem, talk to your doctor or dermatologist, who may be able to prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms and shorten the amount of time cold sores last.

TeensHealth

Sun and Skin

We all know we need to protect our skin from the sun's harmful rays. Of course, it's impossible to avoid the sun — who wants to hide indoors when it feels so great to get outside and be active? And the sun's not all bad, anyway: Sunlight helps our bodies create vitamin D. So follow these tips when you're outdoors to help manage sun exposure:

• Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, even if it's cloudy or you don't plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. If you sweat a lot or go swimming, reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours (even if the bottle says the sunscreen is waterproof).
• Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Look for the words "broad spectrum protection" or UVA protection in addition to the SPF of 15 or greater. Select a sunscreen that says "nonacnegenic" or "noncomedogenic" on the label to help keep pores clear.
• The sun's rays are strongest between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, so make sure you reapply sunscreen frequently and take breaks indoors if you can. If your shadow is longer than you are tall, then it's a safer time to be in the sun (you should still wear sunscreen, though).
• Apply more sunscreen (with higher SPF) when you're around reflective surfaces like water, snow, or ice.
• We all know that the sun can damage skin, but did you know it can contribute to eye problems, too? Protect your face and eyes with a hat and sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.
• Some medications, such as prescription acne medications or birth control pills, can increase your sensitivity to the sun, so if you're taking medication, increase your sun protection.
• If you want the glow of a tan, try faking it with self-tanners or salon tanning treatments. Avoid tanning beds, though, because although manufacturers claim that tanning beds are free of UVB rays, they still use harmful UVA rays.

TeensHealth