Our nails are a reflection of our overall health and hygiene. Nails that are healthy and strong indicate good health and attention to grooming. Unfortunately, many of us often neglect our nails, leading to brittle, weak, and unhealthy nails.

There are several habits that we engage in that can cause harm to our nails. In this article, we will discuss the seven habits that ruin your nails.

1. Biting Your Nails

Nail-biting ranks high on the list of habits that ruin your nails. Biting your nails can cause them to become weak, brittle, and prone to infection.

When you bite your nails, you can introduce bacteria and other harmful microorganisms into your mouth and nails, leading to infection and yellowing of the nails. Additionally, nail-biting can lead to the formation of hangnails and the spread of warts.

2. Using Nails as Tools

Using your nails as tools can be detrimental to their health. Activities such as opening cans, scratching off labels, and typing on a keyboard can cause trauma to your nails, leading to chipping, breaking, and peeling.

Excessive use of your nails as tools can also lead to the formation of white spots on your nails, which can indicate weakening of the nail bed.

3. Skipping Nail Care Routine

Many of us may overlook the importance of nail care in our daily routine. Skipping your nail care routine can cause your nails to become dry, brittle, and prone to breaking.

Nail care routine should include the regular trimming of nails, moisturizing them, and keeping them clean. Skipping your nail care routine can lead to nail infections and the growth of fungus.

4. Excessive Use of Hand Sanitizers

Hand sanitizers are a convenient tool to keep your hands clean and germ-free. However, excessive use of hand sanitizers can wreak havoc on your nails.

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The high alcohol content in hand sanitizers can strip your nails of their natural oils, causing them to become dry and brittle. Over time, this can lead to weakened nails that are prone to breaking and infection.

5. Using Harsh Nail Polish Removers

Nail polish removers are an essential tool in every nail care routine. However, using harsh nail polish removers can damage your nails. Acetone-based nail polish removers can strip your nails of their natural oils, making them dry and brittle.

Switching to non-acetone based nail polish removers can help prevent damage to your nails.

6. Ignoring Underlying Health Issues

Our nails can provide insight into our overall health. Changes in the color, texture, and appearance of our nails can be an indication of underlying health issues.

For example, yellowing of nails can be a sign of a fungal infection, while white spots on nails can be an indication of a nutrient deficiency. Ignoring these changes and not seeking medical attention can lead to further damage to your nails and overall health.

7. Wearing Acrylic Nails

Acrylic nails are a popular choice for adding length and beauty to nails. However, prolonged use of acrylic nails can be detrimental to your nail health.

The adhesive used to attach acrylic nails can weaken the nail bed, causing damage to your natural nails. Additionally, removing acrylic nails can cause further damage to your nail bed, leading to painful and unsightly nails.

Conclusion

Our nails are an essential part of our grooming routine and an indicator of our overall health. Engaging in habits that ruin your nails can lead to unhealthy and unsightly nails.

Avoiding these habits and adopting a proper nail care routine can lead to strong and healthy nails.