Cuticles are nothing but an extension of the skin. They help the skin to prevent it from contracting any bacterial or fungal infection. They generally function to push new cells into the nails. Sometimes these cuticles might dry or discolored.
They suddenly turn yellow and medical practitioners term cuticles as a mirror of a person’s internal health. This article aims at providing thorough information on the causes and effects of yellow cuticles and its overall health-related issues.
Causes for yellow cuticles :
1. Nail fungus
People with weak immunity or diabetes are at high risk of Paronychia. Paronychia is an infection that causes severe red swelling underneath the nails or toenails and separates the skin and nail/cuticle.
Those who suffer from irritant dermatitis are at high risk of infection as the germs have a larger scope to enter and aggravate the infection further
2. Diabetes
Diabetes can cause glucose to attach to the collagen proteins in the nails thus causing it to discolor or turn into yellow.
3. Lung problems
Patients with pleural effusions, empyema, bronchiectasis, bilateral cystic lung disease, and sinusitis are at high risk of developing yellow cuticles.
How to fix dry cuticles
1. Moisture
Moisturize your nails regularly so as to avoid it from becoming dry and brittle. Due to low temperatures and humidity, it is relatively common for people to develop dry cuticles during the winter months.
2. Neosporin
Neosporin kills the bacteria and can be used to heal cracked cuticles. Apply this and wrap a bandage around your hard peeling cuticles.
3. Cuticle oils
Cuticle oils are rich in vitamin E, shea butter and cocoa extracts that help lock moisture in your nails thus preventing it from turning yellow. A warm olive oil massage for five minutes also works wonders for your discolored and rigid cuticles.
4. Vitamins
Add a lot of vitamins in your diet. Vitamins A, C, and E help in rejuvenating the cuticles. Spinach, butternut squash salmon are some excellent sources that provide the above vitamins in abundance.
5. Use hand gloves
Excessive exposure to water can result in your cuticles in becoming hard and dry. Using hand gloves will not only prevent them from cracking and peeling but also keeps them away from discoloration or turning yellow.
Some other tips to soften the cuticles
1. Soak your hands in lukewarm water for 10 minutes.
2. Massage cuticles with olive oil or shea butter
3. Wrap your nails in a soft towel.
4. Push them in with the help of an orange stick.
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