Summer Nail Care

Summer is a splendid thing!  But boy do my nails take a beating in summer.  Yard work, vacation, pool time and more are all hard for maintaining a manicure.  So, in the summer I tend to keep it a little simpler.  My toenails are usually polished pretty, but my fingernails tend to be best with a “natural” look in summer.  I’m just way to active.  Here’s a few dermatologist tips for summer nail care that you can use year round.  

1. Keep your nails relatively short.  Long nails are far from functional with yard work and summer chores. Longer nails also tend to accumulate more bacteria and fungus underneath them. Clip then and file them smooth.  Never bite your nails.  
2. Don’t cut, trim, bite or push back your cuticles. Cuticles are our natural barrier that prevents damage to the nail matrix.  The nail matrix is located beneath the cuticle.  Damage to the nail matrix can cause ridging of the nails and even permanent nail damage.  Interfering with the cuticles is also a prime site for infection.  Many worry that the cuticle will grow “half way up the nail”  if they do not push them back.  Don’t worry, the cuticle will naturally be shed once it has fulfilled its barrier function.  Many of the changes arise from dehydration of the nails and cuticles.  Massage a moisturizer into the nail and cuticle area once or twice a day to prevent dryness, splitting, and hangnails. A long term favorite has been Elon nail moisturizer. However, any thick ointment such as Vaseline or Aquaphor will help prevent the nail changes associated with dehydration of the nails.  
3. Wear gloves while doing chores.   Especially outdoor chores, and brush gently with a nail brush to remove debris in the shower.  This also reduces the likelihood of getting infectious bacterial and fungal debris implanted under the nails.  Never use something sharp or pointed to clean under the nails.  
4. Consider a nail moisturizer instead of polish.  My favorite is Elon Nail Conditioner, which can be purchased on Amazon.  This is an old-fashioned dermatologist favorite for over 20 years.  It only takes a small smidge massaged directly into the nail plate and cuticles.  It makes the nail plate look nicer in addition to making nails more resilient. The instructions with the product mention using it multiple times a day, but even a few times a week makes a huge difference.
5. Take Biotin.  A multivitamin and good nutrition encourage nail growth.  In addition to a daily multivitamin, Biotin is another vitamin that encourages healthy hair and nail growth.  Most multivitamins do not have even the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of Biotin, so an additional Biotin supplement is required.  Most supplements contain mega doses.  Any extra will be secreted in your urine, so no need for those mega doses.  
6. Vinegar soaks.  With yard chores, nails and the skin surrounding the nails are often infected with bacteria and fungus.  For mild infections, vinegar soaks are very effective.  I often instruct patients to do a vinegar soak, 15 minutes a day, 3-7 times a week, depending on the intensity of the infection.  This can be done with any temperature water and white vinegar.  The recipe is not exact, but about 1 Tbsp to a mug of water OR a ½ cup to a foot basin of water. 

Finally, a gentle reminder that nails grow SLOWLY.  Fingernails generally grow out in about 6 months, toenails 12 months.  So, any changes from taking a vitamin may seem very slow.  Just be patient.  Your excellent self-care will pay off!