The pharmacist recommends wearing gloves when the cold weather arrives and starting to regularly spread the cream on your hands and nails, as this helps fight the harmful effects of external factors. “If you don’t use the cream regularly, the skin will dry out and crack, and cracks will appear. Even a nail that has dried out and lost lipids can flake,” explains Lehari.
“Urea is still the best hydrating and regenerating agent for the skin panthenol. Some good hand creams contain them together,” notes the pharmacist, but adds that ordinary hand creams are not recommended for hand skin eczema. “Ointments that are almost or completely water-free such as Eucerin Aquaphor and others Water-free ointments that contain panthenol are good for eczema-prone hands,” she adds.
In addition to the hands, the feet also need care: they must be washed daily, dried carefully and creamed. “Healthy feet should be smeared on the heels, sides and toes, but not between the toes, because moisture there favors the development of fungi. Cracks and flaking between the toes may indicate a pre-existing fungal disease and in this case case the antifungal medicine should also be applied between the toes according to the instructions,” explains Lehari.
Nail health can be supported with nutritional supplements and vitamins
The nail is mainly composed of keratin, the production of which in the body decreases with age in the same way as the production of elastin and collagen. “Keratin is also available as a food supplement, but for its formation it is necessary to ensure that the food menu contains complete proteins, vitamin C, zinc, collagen, vitamin A, calcium, biotin, omega-3 fatty acids, fatty acids of group B vitamins and iron,” lists But Lehari adds that iron deficiency should be determined in advance with a blood test. She also advises older adults to pay attention to a possible calcium deficiency.
The common winter problem of cracking, peeling and breaking nails is best addressed by wearing gloves and daily cream. “If the nails continue to break and are soft, it is worth doing a complex course of calcium, vitamin D, magnesium and zinc. If, however, the nails crack and break, but are not soft, then a complex treatment may be useful containing biotin, B complex, zinc and amino acids (L-cysteine, L-methionine),” advises Lehari.
“In case of brittle and breaking nails, it is worth trying special nail vitamin complexes. If the nails are soft and break before they can even grow into the skin, it is worth considering the use of calcium preparations “, he adds.
Nail damage is caused by both external and internal factors
Among external factors, nails are often damaged by various traumas, constant hand washing, exposure to chemicals and, of course, cold in winter. “For example, those who walk long distances or run may develop a nail injury, in which the nail breaks away from the skin at the ends or corners and creates a space under the nail plate. Such an injury has a specific clear outline and l “the nail itself has not thickened. If the nail bed turns green or another shade, this also indicates the presence of bacteria”, the pharmacist gives an example of lesions on the toenails. Nail biters develop waves and white spots on the nail plate. By biting and picking at the cuticle, trauma occurs within the cuticle, where the nail receives nutrients and grows, and this prevents the growth of a beautiful, strong nail and also makes it susceptible to infection. “If in adults it is mainly an aesthetic problem, in young children the constant habit of keeping fingers in the mouth can also lead to the problem of stomach worms”, warns Lehari.
It is important to ensure that the traumatized nail does not become infected with a fungal disease. “Toenail mycosis can be prevented by disinfecting the feet with special foot sprays such as Chemipharm FG and Cutasept FG or nail drops such as Urgo Damaged Nails or Pedibus Forte, which are applied to the skin or nails depending on the extent of the damage and the instructions on the package.If the nail has already developed a fungal infection and is being treated, it is recommended to additionally use a nail gel or foot cream with a urea content of 25-50%, which softens and moisturizes the nails and improves the absorption of drugs into the nail plate”, advises the pharmacist. Visible defects can also be caused by various internal factors, for example chronic diseases, fungal infections, anemia and gastrointestinal disorders. “For example, in the case of lung and heart diseases, diabetes, psoriasis or chronic joint diseases, the nails also have a different appearance: spoon-shaped, white or pitted. In this case, the underlying disease must first be treated,” he emphasizes Lehari.
The pharmacist recommends consulting a doctor in case of an easily contagious fungal disease and symptoms indicative of more serious chronic diseases, as well as when a worrying formation has appeared under the nails or on the nail plate.
Comment Read the comments
2023-12-11 13:00:00
a-hand-cream-with-such-ingredients-should-be-used-in-winter-to-prevent-infections-and-broken-nails