How Do We Naturally Heal Fingernails?
The appearance of fingernails is something as common as it is painful and can be due to multiple factors. How can we treat them with the ingredients we have at home? Is it possible to prevent them?
Fingernails are annoying and painful inflammations that form on the skin around the nails when they become ingrown. Sometimes they can also be accompanied by an infection in the area. In this article, we explain what its symptoms are and their possible causes.
Also, we share some natural and home remedies to treat them without complications. Best of all, we will do it with ingredients that we usually have in the kitchen: lemon, salt, thyme, onion, egg or carrot. Find out how to do it!
What are the causes and symptoms of fingernails?
We know that we have a nail because we can see that, around the nail, the skin appears red or inflamed. In addition, they are usually painful to the touch and, on some occasions, it may also be infected and there may be a collection of pus in the area. According to a Kids Health post , these may be the possible causes:
- Cut your nails very short.
- Cut your cuticles.
- Wounds caused by biting or pulling the skin of the nail.
- Sucking a thumb often.
- Get a manicure.
- Let your hands be in contact with water for a long time.
Natural solutions to heal fingernails
1. Thyme infusion
Thyme is a medicinal plant with multiple benefits. In fact, a study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology points out that it has antibacterial, antifungal, sedative, antiseptic, antioxidant effects, among others, making it an ideal remedy to treat fingernails.
What should you do?
- Prepare an infusion with a cup of water and two tablespoons of thyme.
- Boil for 5 minutes and, when warm, soak the affected finger for 5-10 minutes.
- This process should be repeated several times throughout the day.
2. Lemon
This ingredient acts as a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory. This, as a publication in the journal Plants indicates , is due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. In this way, we have a simple and effective treatment for fingernails. Do not forget to wash your hands well before exposing yourself to the sun to avoid stains on the skin.
What should you do?
- Punch a hole in the middle of a lemon and insert the affected finger.
- You should leave it like that for 20 minutes and repeat daily, until the nail is healed.
3. Onion poultice
Onion is a very versatile food that, in addition to being used in different preparations, would also help alleviate certain health conditions thanks, among others, to its antibiotic effects. In this case, it can also be very useful if we apply it in a very simple way.
What should you do?
- Put an onion to cook and mash it well when it is boiled.
- Place the resulting paste on sterile gauze when it is warm.
- Apply the poultice on the affected finger; You can even cover it with gauze and tape to let it act for at least two hours.
4. Carrot poultice
Although it is not a very popular remedy, a review published in the magazine Foods suggests that this food has, among others, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, in addition to helping to remove the nail, it will also revitalize the affected skin.
The outstanding advantage of these remedies is that you can choose one or the other according to the ingredients you have in the kitchen. Another option is to alter them to see which one is more practical and useful. This carrot poultice, for example, is made in the same way as the onion poultice. It should be applied three times a day, for at least 15 minutes.
5. Egg white
The egg is attributed antiseptic and antibacterial benefits, so it would be a good option to alleviate the discomfort caused by fingernails. In addition, this natural remedy is very fast and also gives good results if it is repeated continuously.
What should you do?
- You just have to beat the white of an egg and apply it to the affected area several times a day.
- Once beaten, the egg white can be kept in the fridge for up to three days.
Can fingernails be prevented?
The great news about fingernails is that they can be prevented. How? Following these tips:
- Always keep your nails well trimmed. Also, use the file to avoid leaving tips that can be buried.
- Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight. Instead, you should opt for the one that respects the natural shape of the foot, and is breathable. Preferably, high-heeled shoes should be avoided.
- Treat trauma after being hit or stomped.
- Moisturize your hands and feet on a regular basis. The best alternative is to use moisturizers that contain vitamin E, or vegetable oils.
As a final recommendation, it should be noted that if the nail is infected and the infection does not remit, or expands the affected area, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Thus, complications can be avoided that, although they are not frequent, could happen if we are careless.
