While it rescues us from the scorching heat of summer, on the other side, it gets really humid, moist, and all those other things your nails just despise. Continuous exposure to water, damp conditions, and fluctuating temperatures can leave nails fragile, weak, and even subject them to infections. Well, fear not, for here come expert-approved tips to help you keep your nails healthy and strong throughout the rainy season.
Table of Contents
Keep it Dry and Clean
Excess moisture during monsoons makes the nails more prone to fungal infections and weak. Make it a habit to dry your hands and feet the moment they get wet. Special attention should be given to the nail areas and the area between the toes. Keeping your nails short will also help in reducing the chances of dirt and moisture getting trapped below the nails, thus preventing infection.
Moisturize Your Nails and Cuticles
While it is crucial to keep your nails dry, it is very important to keep them moisturized to avoid brittleness. Monsoons can take away the natural oils in your nails and leave them dry, which eventually breaks them. Massage your nails and cuticles every day with a nourishing cuticle oil or rich hand cream. Vitamin E, jojoba oil, and almond oil are great choices for the ingredients to deeply hydrate and strengthen your nails.
Avoid Extended Exposure to Water
The more your nails are exposed to water, the softer they become, thus easily breaking. Do household chores such as washing dishes or cleaning while wearing gloves. This will protect your nails not only from water but also from strong chemicals in cleaning agents that will weaken them further.
Use Breathable Nail Polish
One would rather switch over to breathable nail polishes during monsoons, as these allow air and moisture to pass through. Whereas the latter just keeps the moisture underneath the nail, and for bacteria and fungi, it’s just a perfect haven. Thus, breathable nail polishes help in maintaining your nails healthier by lowering the risks of infections. Instead, look out for polishes that do not contain such harsh chemicals as formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP. The latter work to further damage your nails.
Practice Proper Hygiene
Follow good hygiene practices concerning your nails. The hygiene of your nails should be extra special during the monsoon season. Keep your nails cut enough to avoid reaching an overlong length that may promote breaks or gathering of dirt. Clean under your nails using a soft brush to take away whatever might have been deposited there. Avoid biting your nails, since this can introduce bacteria right into the nail bed from where infection can easily set in.
Include Nail-Friendly Foods in Your Diet
Your eating habits also contribute much to nail health. It’s very essential to eat food containing biotin, zinc, and protein during monsoon to keep it strong yet resilient. Biotin is a form of Vitamin B7, basically necessary for nail growth and strength, and it’s found in eggs, nuts, and whole grains. Zinc helps in mending broken nails, while proteins are the building blocks of keratin, the protein which makes up your nails. When added to your diet, these can help prevent your nails from becoming weak and brittle.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is the key to healthy nails, and in monsoon season, one sweats a lot that could indeed make them lose water. Drinking plenty of water hydrates your nails and cuticles from within. Thus, hydrated nails will never peel, chip, or break; hence, drink at least 8 glasses of water per day for healthy nails.
Be Gentle
Monsoons turn your nails brittle. That is why you need to be so, so careful . Never use your nails for such activities as opening packages or scrubbing off labels on jars; any activity of this nature puts them under stress and may chip or break them. Chipping or breaking leaves it open to infection. Do not do that; use appropriate tools and handle it with responsibility at all times.
Watch out for Signs of Infection
Despite this, monsoon infections can still happen. Whether it be in the form of your nail, one must keep checking for redness, swelling, pain, and discoloration. These are symptoms that you will need to consult a dermatologist or any health professional promptly. Early treatment can avoid worsening the infection and causing long-term damage to your nails.
Regular Nail Care Routine
The key to nail care is consistency. Consistency during the monsoon with your nail care routine goes a long way in keeping them healthy and strong. Keep cleaning, trimming, and moisturising it regularly, and stop ignoring them because they will be closed within the shoes and shades of nail polish.
Conclusion
Monsoons needn’t signal doom for your nails. Follow these expert tips to keep them at their best, despite the seasons’ whims. Keeping it clean, moisturizing them as regularly as possible, sticking to the right kind of diet, and being less harsh on them will keep them healthy, strong, and beautiful throughout the season. It reflect your health; take good care of them!
