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March 15, 2016 by Mayank

The Benefits of Spring Cleaning

With the official start of spring days away, everybody is buzzing about spring cleaning. Some people genuinely look forward to this time of year and take the opportunity to deep clean, organize and declutter every area of their home. However, some dread the thought of spring cleaning because it can be quite overwhelming. If you are somebody who needs extra encouragement and motivation to start your spring cleaning, we’ve got you covered. Below, find some surprising incentives to clearing out your clutter and organizing your home during spring cleaning.

Decrease Stress
The state of your surroundings can have a very significant impact on your mental health. In fact, many Americans rank home organization and cleanliness as one of the top five stressors in their lives. Women, in particular, are prone to being affected by how the perceive the general order of their home; women who believe that their home is cluttered have been found to have chronic levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. Spending a few hours or a weekend clearing your home of clutter and cleaning it up can help you decrease your stress levels.

Boost Productivity
Think spring cleaning is just for the home? Think again. A cluttered desk decreases your levels of productivity because there are so many distractions. When your workspace is cluttered, your mind tends to mimic its surroundings. Getting a good system of organization and clearing clutter from your desk will help you organize your thoughts and your work more quickly. The Association of Psychological Science notes that clutter on your desk or work area can lead to increased snacking and craving of sweets, so clearing your clutter can also cut down on your calorie intake.

Woman painting walls

Get a Workout
You probably don’t consider your spring cleaning a workout, but vigorous cleaning can actually burn a lot of calories. With all of the lifting, bending, stretching and organizing, you get a workout that uses all of your muscles. The following activities are all great ways to burn some calories:

Mopping – Cleaning your floors may not be the most fun chore, but an hour of mopping burns about 150 calories. If you have to put some extra work into your floors and get on your hands and knees to really scrub, you can burn almost 190 calories in just 30 minutes.
Cleaning the Bathtub – There’s just something deeply satisfying about stepping into a clean tub or shower and the act of cleaning it can work up quite a sweat. Just 15 minutes of scrubbing your tub burns about 90 calories.
Redecorating – Putting a fresh coat of paint on your bedroom walls? Rearranging the pictures on your gallery wall? In 30 minutes of indoor decorating, you’ll burn more than 150 calories.

Spring cleaning may not always be the most fun activity, but it is an important undertaking. When you clear clutter, you clear your mind, boost your mood and increase your productivity. At the same time that all of these benefits are enjoyed, you also get physical exercise from cleaning, organizing and decorating your home. Hopefully, knowing these extra benefits of spring cleaning will make your work that much more enjoyable and easier.

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March 12, 2016 by Mayank

Botulinum Toxin Type A

Botulinum toxin type A is a biological substance that is produced by specific bacteria. In large doses, botulinum toxin type A can be highly toxic, but when used in very small doses, it can be used to treat a number of medical conditions. Botulinum toxin type A is most frequently referred to as Botox, which is a brand name of botulinum toxin type A. To find out more about what botulinum toxin type A is and how it is used, continue reading.

What is Botulinum Toxin Type A and What Does it do?
Botulinum toxin type A is a neurotoxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. There are eight distinguishable exotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum: A, B, C1, C2, D, E, F and G, according to an article published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology. The same article states that “all serotypes interfere with neural transmission by blocking the release of acetylcholine, the principal neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction, causing muscle paralysis.” While muscle paralysis sounds like it would be a bad thing, the paralysis is completely reversible, which is why people who use Botox have to go in every few months to maintain results. Botulinum toxin type A has results that last an average of three months. Botox is the primary brand name under which Botulinum toxin type A is sold, however, there are other brands like Dysport and Xeomin (in the UK).

Why is Botulinum Toxin Type A Used?
Botulinum toxin type A is perhaps most famously used for cosmetic purposes as it is an effective way to treat wrinkles. However, botulinum toxin type A is also used “…in the management of a wide variety of medical conditions, especially…various spastic movements, headaches, hypersalivation, hyperhidrosis, and some chronic conditions that respond only partially to medical treatment.”

When it comes to cosmetic uses, there are some misconceptions. Many believe that Botox is helpful in the removal of fine lines, but Botox is only helpful in treating hyperkinetic wrinkles, or wrinkles that are caused by repeated muscle movement. Botulinum toxin type A is an incredibly effective way to reduce wrinkles like frown and smile lines, crow’s feet and mental creases. The rationale behind using Botox for hyperkinetic wrinkles is that motion wrinkles occur due to repeated contractions of your facial muscles. By interfering with the cause of the wrinkles, Botox allows the skin to gradually reform itself, significantly reducing the appearance of the wrinkles. If motion wrinkles were shallow to begin with, Botox can make these wrinkles virtually nonexistent, but deeper set wrinkles may require additional treatment in the form of dermal fillers.

One of the most common concerns surrounding botulinum toxin type A is its safety, but it is generally well tolerated and it produces little to no side effects. Experts recommend choosing your cosmetic surgeon very carefully, because ultimately the effectiveness and safety of Botox injections depends on the skill and expertise of the person who administers the injections. If you are concerned with wrinkles that have been caused by repeated facial movement, then Botox is an excellent option to consider.

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March 10, 2016 by Mayank

Perioral Region Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Think about how many times throughout the day you make facial expressions – you may not even be able to come up with a number because it happens so frequently. Over time, these expressions result in facial lines and wrinkles as your skin loses its collagen and elasticity. Perioral lines are common among aging women, and there are ways that you can help to prevent and treat these fine lines. Keep reading to learn more about perioral lines and how you can get rid of them.

What are Perioral Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
Perioral fine lines and wrinkles are those that occur around the mouth and lip areas. There are three major types of perioral fine lines and wrinkles:

Smile Lines (Nasolabial Lines) – Smile lines are the lines that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth. These often start small and progressively deepen with age.
Marionette Lines – Marionette lines often result in an angry or sad looking face as you age. These lines are vertical fine lines and wrinkles found at the corners of your mouth and they can give your mouth a naturally downturned appearance that can make you look angry or sad even when you are completely relaxed.
Vertical Lip Lines – Smoking is one of the leading causes of vertical lip lines for two reasons: the constant lip pursing and the damaging chemicals, toxins and free radicals that result from smoking. Nearly all women, even non-smokers, end up with vertical lip lines because they are caused by repeated motion of the lips. Things like pursing your lips and drinking through straws also result in vertical lip lines.

Woman touching her face

Prevention and Treatments for Perioral Fine Lines and Wrinkles
You can’t live your life completely expressionless, but learning how to relax your facial muscles is a good start in preventing perioral fine lines and wrinkles. Facial massage is a great way to provide your muscles with much-needed relaxation, and you can do a quick two-minute massage at the end of your nighttime facial routine or as your apply an antioxidant serum. If you are a smoker, quit now. Always remember to apply sunscreen to every area of your face, and follow a healthy lifestyle that includes drinking plenty of water.

There are multiple ways you can treat perioral fine lines and wrinkles, including:

Facial Exercises – Giving your face a nice massage can help to smooth the appearance of wrinkles, and performing facial exercises are a way you can help strengthen your muscles. When you lose collagen in the perioral region, fine lines and wrinkles become more prominent. Using facial exercises tones your muscles, and when you have sufficient muscle tone, it can make up for the lack of collagen in your skin and decrease the appearance of wrinkles.
Topical Treatments – Anti-aging creams, serums and targeted treatments are all ways that you can help treat perioral fine lines. Look for skin care products that use antioxidants like vitamin C or resveratrol, that have moisturizing agents like hyaluronic acid and/or products that contain retinol. All of these ingredients help to fight the appearance of existing wrinkles and help prevent the formation of new fine lines.
Botox and Fillers – Injectables are a common way to diminish the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Injectables like hyaluronic acid help to plump up your skin and smooth wrinkles, while Botox paralyzes the muscles around the face, keeping them in a permanent state of relaxation. It is important to note that while these treatments are effective for wrinkles, the results are not permanent and typically last for a few months.

When it comes to preventing signs of aging, including perioral fine lines and wrinkles, sunscreen is the best anti-aging weapon you can use. A skin care routine full of quality ingredients like retinol and resveratrol will also significantly impact the appearance of your fine lines and wrinkles. Be consistent with your skin care routine and give your face some extra attention with exercises and massages to see your perioral fine lines and wrinkles diminish and disappear.

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March 8, 2016 by Mayank

Does Squinting Cause Fine Lines?

Beauty is surrounded by many rules, guidelines and myths and it can be daunting to keep up with everything that you are or are not supposed to be doing to and for your skin. If you’ve ever heard that squinting your eyes can cause fine lines and wrinkles, you’ve heard correctly. This is one beauty myth that is absolutely true. Keep reading to find out why squinting causes more fine lines and wrinkles and what you can do to prevent additional wrinkles under and around your eyes.

Does Squinting Cause Fine Lines and Wrinkles?
Unfortunately, squinting really does lead to more fine lines and wrinkles. When you squint, whether you’re trying to watch TV, read your book and check emails on your computer, you are contributing to more fine lines and wrinkles around your eyes. Dawn Davis, M.D, a dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota says “…when you squint the muscles around your eyes grow stronger, and it’s kind of like a workout; therefore, the overlying skin will wrinkle.”

How to Prevent Wrinkles
The skin under and around your eyes is thinner and more delicate than the skin on the rest of your face, so it is more susceptible to fine lines and wrinkles. While you can never prevent all wrinkles, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to keep yourself from squinting as often and causing more fine lines than necessary.

Get an Annual Eye Exam – Often, squinting is a response to not being able to see properly and visiting your optometrist once a year is an excellent way to make sure that your vision is in check. Your optometrist will be able to provide you with prescription glasses, sunglasses or contacts so that you can see clearly without having to squint.
The Sun – You’re probably excited about how close spring is because you can bask in warm weather and sunlight, but the sun is another primary cause of squinting. You can prevent squinting due to the sun by wearing sunglasses and hats to keep the sun out of your eyes.
Move Away From the Screen – Computers are amazing and you probably can’t imagine your life without one, but they can be quite hard on your eyes. Dr. Julia Tzu of Wall Street Dermatology in New York City, New York suggests that you sit about 1.5 to 2 inches away from your computer screen to help prevent eye strain. Additionally, you should take two to three quick breaks away from your computer screen every hour to give your eyes time to rest, according to New York City based dermatologist, Dr. Janet Prystowsky.

Squinting does indeed cause fine lines and wrinkles, but you can fight back against them by making the above lifestyle changes. To most effectively reduce fine lines and wrinkles under and around your eyes, you should combine the above advice with a high-quality anti-aging eye cream. Put on your glasses and step away from the computer once in awhile to reduce the amount of time you spend squinting, and ultimately to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

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March 5, 2016 by Mayank

How to Spot a Skin Infection

One of the main functions of your skin is to provide protection against harmful diseases, conditions and infections. Your skin is constantly being exposed to germs, and no matter how well you take care of it, sometimes these germs will end up causing disease. Skin infections are caused by a wide variety of germs, and infections can vary greatly in symptoms and severity. It is important to know how to spot and subsequently treat a skin infection because there are instances in which skin infections can spread beyond the skin and enter into the bloodstream. Below, find out more about skin infections and how you can spot and treat them.

Types of Skin Infections
As previously mentioned, skin infections are caused by a large range of germs and can be bacterial, fungal or viral in nature. Some common skin infections among each type include:

Bacterial – Bacterial skin infections include leprosy, impetigo, boils, cellulitis, staph infection, carbuncles and pilonidal cysts and abscesses. According to the New York Department of Health, the two most common causes of bacterial infections are staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus.
Fungal – Fungal skin infections include ringworm, athlete’s foot, fungal nail infections, candidiasis (yeast infection) and sporotrichosis. The most common cause of fungal infections is yeast.
Viral – Viral skin infections include chickenpox, shingles and molluscum contagiosum. Viral skin infections are most frequently caused by one of three groups of viruses: herpes simplex virus, poxvirus and human papillomavirus.

Risk Factors for Skin Infections
There are several things that can increase your risk of contracting a skin infection. One of these is an already weakened immune system. Certain prescription medications can increase the chances of a skin infection. Skin that is already cracked or cut may allow bacteria to penetrate further into the skin, causing an infection and fungi flourish in warm, moist environments, so wearing sweaty clothing can increase your chance of a skin infection.

Skin Infection Symptoms
The symptoms you have will differ according to the cause of the skin infection, but there are some commonly experienced symptoms that can indicate a skin infection. The most frequent symptom among various types of skin infection is the presence of redness. Redness may be accompanied by swelling of the skin, as it is with cellulitis. Rashes are another very common symptom of skin infections. Certain skin infections have symptoms like blisters, sores and lesions as well as redness or irritation.

Dermatologist examining skin

Skin Infection Treatment
A doctor can properly diagnose a skin infection for you, which will sometimes involve collecting a culture of skin cells to determine what type of bacteria or fungus is present and causing the infection. Once you have been diagnosed, your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment for your infection. Treatment will depend upon not only the cause, but also the severity of the skin infection. Some viral skin infections require no medication at all, and simply require time to clear up. Bacterial infections are often treated with the use of topical antibiotics, but in more severe cases, oral antibiotics may also be required. Your doctor may also suggest using medications that will reduce any discomfort you have, like the use of a topical anti-inflammatory.

Because skin infections can be caused by so many things, it is important to seek professional medical help if you think you may have one. Signs like redness, rashes or lesions are all indications that you should head to your doctor to find out how to treat your skin infection.

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March 2, 2016 by Mayank

Avoiding Cooties: Cold, Flu and Retrovirus

The common cold, the flu and retroviruses make their rounds during winter time and it can seem impossible to stay healthy. Luckily, there are lifestyle changes and medical interventions that you can use to help protect yourself and your loved ones from coming down with the cold, flu and retrovirus. Use the following five tips to keep your family and yourself healthy during cold and flu season this year.

Wash Your Hands
The number one thing you can do to prevent the common cold, flu and retroviruses is to wash your hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that “handwashing is like a do-it-yourself vaccine” when it comes to preventing illnesses. Properly washing your hands consists of five steps:

Wet your hands
Lather your hands – don’t forget the backs of your hands, in between fingers and under fingernails
Scrub your hands – do this for at least 20 seconds for maximum cleanliness
Rinse
Dry

Get Vaccinated
When it comes to the flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that getting vaccinated is the first, and most important, step in preventing the flu. The CDC recommends that everyone aged six months and older be vaccinated annually to prevent the flu virus. “Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to the flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths,” according to the CDC. Your healthcare provider can help you determine which flu vaccine is the most appropriate for you.

Stay Home
To protect yourself from illness, you want to limit your time and prevent close contact with individuals who are already sick. If you begin to exhibit any flu-like symptoms, do those you surround yourself with a favor and stay home. You need to rest to recover, and staying home reduces the risk of spreading the illness to others. If you have a fever, experts recommend that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without using fever-reducing medicines.

Woman sleeping

Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is an important part of staying healthy and not getting enough sleep can make you more vulnerable to the common cold, flu and retroviruses. For otherwise healthy adults, the National Sleep Foundation recommends getting between seven and nine hours of sleep every night.

Practice Good Health Habits
In addition to making sure you are well-rested, there are things you can do in your daily life to help prevent the colds, retroviruses and the flu. First, a healthy diet and exercise can go a long way in keeping you healthy, so be sure that you are following a sensible eating plan and staying active. Next, avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes as much as possible, because germs from your hands enter the body this way. Cover your mouth and nose any time you cough or sneeze to protect those around you from your illness and clean and disinfect any surfaces that are frequently touched both at home and work to protect yourself from illness.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to avoid germs altogether, but practicing healthy habits can significantly reduce your risk of coming down with the common cold, flu or retrovirus. Remember to wash hands thoroughly and frequently and avoid putting your fingers in your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent illness. Keep those around you healthy by using the above tips to avoid colds, the flu and retroviruses.

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March 1, 2016 by Mayank

Handwashing Keeps You Healthy

When it comes to your health, handwashing is the single most important thing you can do to prevent illnesses, infections and diseases. There is no way to completely isolate yourself from germs, but you can minimize exposure to germs and other disease-causing microbes by frequently washing your hands. Keep reading to learn why you need to wash your hands, and when and how you should be washing your hands.

Why Washing Your Hands Is Important
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that “microbes are all tiny living organisms that may or may not cause diseases,” and “germs, or pathogens, are types of microbes that can cause disease.” As you go through each day, your hands accumulate tons of germs by touching people, surfaces and objects. Because you are constantly being exposed to germs, and it is impossible to stop that, it is important that you don’t let these germs remain on your skin. Infection and illness occurs when your germ-filled hands touch areas like your eyes, mouth or nose and enter into your body. Washing your hands frequently is the best way to limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other disease-causing microbes.

When to Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands before or after certain activities can help prevent illnesses and the spread of germs more effectively. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that you should always wash your hands:

Before eating
Before and after food preparation
Before and after treating a cut or wound
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
After cleaning up a child who has used the toilet or changing diapers
After touching garbage
After using the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching an animal, animal waste or animal feed

How to Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands properly is important to stopping the spread of germs. To be sure you are thoroughly cleansing your hands you should:

Wet your hands with running water that is either warm or cold. There isn’t any definitive data that states the temperature of the water impacts how clean your hands get, and hot water is irritating to the skin and weakens the natural moisture barrier, which can allow more germs and bacteria to enter the skin.
Turn off the faucet. You want to do this because when the water accumulates in the sink, it can bring any germs from the sink to your hands, and turning off the faucet saves water.
Apply soap and work into a lather. When doing this step, be sure to lather the backs of your hands, under your nails and in between your fingers.
Scrub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds.
Rinse your hands under running water that is either warm or cold.
Pat hands dry with a towel. Because you’ve just washed your hands, if it is possible you want to turn off the faucet with your elbow or a towel to avoid adding germs right back to your hands.

Washing your hands protects your body against the spread of bacteria, viruses and other germs that make you sick. Be sure to wash your hands frequently and properly to keep yourself as healthy as possible.

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February 27, 2016 by Mayank

The Connection Between Your Feet and Back Pain

Whether you sang “Dem Bones” or “The Skeleton Dance,” there is a good chance that at some point in your life you sang a song about how the bones in your body are all connected, but at the time, it probably meant little to you. Your body truly is built of connected bones, systems, tissues, nerves and cells that keep you breathing, eating and moving. When you have pain in one area of your body, but you don’t remember injuring that part of your body, you may be experiencing what is known as radiating pain. Your back and your feet are quite a bit more connected than you may think, and the foot pain you feel may have nothing to do with your foot, just as the back pain you experience may have nothing to do with your back.

Orthotics
The field of foot care is expanding, and one of the most buzzed-about areas of medical care for the feet is orthotics. Once associated with less than fashionable shoes, orthotics has embraced new technological advances, and now you can wear foot correcting devices without anyone even knowing. Custom-made insoles are now being widely used to treat a variety of abnormalities and deformities of the feet.

Why Orthotics?
Your feet have 26 bones and 33 joints, all of which work constantly to provide your entire body with support. You may not pay much attention to them, but you might want to start. “Feet are fairly delicate structures, damage may be painless in the foot but felt elsewhere in the body,” says British podiatrist, Simon Costain of the Gait and Posture Centre. One of the most common foot conditions is flat feet, or collapsed foot arches. Flat feet can be caused by genetics or by the weakening of your feet muscles due to things like wearing heels or weight gain. You may feel little to no pain in your feet when you have flat feet – in fact, you may not even know you do have flat feet – but you may experience pain in other areas of your body like your lower back or knees.

Orthotics help correct problems, relieving pain in both your back and your feet, and they improve your gait as well. This is important because a shift in your foot while standing or walking may be all it takes to change the alignment of your spine, which can result in the tightening of muscles in your legs, buttocks and back. Muscle tightening may continue to elicit back pain, and even if you don’t feel a thing on your feet, they could be the culprit. True orthotics are custom-made and provided by a medical professional, but there are off-the-shelf alternatives as well.

Because your feet take such a beating on a daily basis, it’s important to pay attention to them and give them the care they deserve. Left untreated, foot problems can create pain elsewhere in the body, particularly in the lower back. With the help of your doctor and orthotics, you could be able to completely correct your gait and experience relief from pain.

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February 25, 2016 by Mayank

Health Meanings Behind Nail Discoloration

Your body is incredible at giving you signs that there is a problem somewhere. One place that many people often overlook when it comes to performing self-checks is their nails. Nails, both finger and toe, can help doctors identify certain diseases, disorders and other conditions. Keep reading for a look at the health meanings behind nail discoloration.

Blue Nails
Unless you’ve recently taken off blue nail polish, blue-tinged nails can be indicative of a number of health concerns or conditions including:

Cyanosis – Cyanosis is defined as a bluish discoloration of the skin or nails that is the result of inadequate circulation to the blood or poor circulation. If your nails return to normal color after you massage or warm your fingers, then the condition is likely caused by cold constriction, which occurs when your fingers don’t get enough blood supply.
Respiratory Problems – Blue fingertips could also be an indication of lung and breathing problems such as asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis or other respiratory disorders.
Raynaud’s Syndrome – Also called Raynaud’s Phenomenon or Raynaud’s Disease, this occurs when your fingertips and nails change from white to blue to red. Raynaud’s disease is a condition in which certain areas of your body, like your fingers, toes or nose, feel numb or tingly in extreme weather or stressful situations.

Green Nails
Sporting a green manicure for St. Patrick’s Day is festive, green colored nails on your fingers naturally can indicate:

Allergic Reactions – You use your hands constantly and cleaning is a part of your life. If you find that your nails have a green tint, you may want to examine all of the cleansers you use. Cleansing agents can cause allergic reactions, and green nails can be a signal that you’re body doesn’t agree with something you’re using.
Fungal Infection – Green under your nails may also be a symptom of a localized fungal infection. Onychomycosis, or tinea unguium, is “…a fungal infection that affects either the fingernails or toenails,” according to Healthline. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that green nails as a result of fungal infections affect toenails more than fingernails.

Black Nails
If you have recently injured any of your nails, they may turn black due to blood under your nail and this is a common occurrence. However, if the black nail does not go away, it could indicate:

Anemia – The appearance of black nails may be an indication that you are anemic. Anemia is when your body is deficient in iron, and can be remedied through iron supplements under the care of your doctor.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency – The National Institutes of Health states “[v]itamin B12 is a nutrient that helps keep the body’s nerve and blood cells healthy and helps make DNA, the genetic material in all cells. Vitamin B12 also helps prevent a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia that makes people tired and weak.”
Melanoma – Very rarely, black nails can indicate the presence of a melanoma. This is an uncommon occurrence and is found more in people with darker skin tones than lighter skin tones.

Most often, nail discolorations are harmless, but there are times when different colored nails can indicate something else is happening inside your body. To make sure your doctor can give you a thorough examination, always remove nail polish prior to your appointments. Paying attention to the color of your nails can help you keep your body healthy.

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February 23, 2016 by Mayank

What Your Hands Say About Your Health

You use them every day for everything, but when was the last time that you actually took the time to care for your hands? If it’s been a while, you may be surprised at what you find, and even more surprised at what those findings can indicate. Below, find out some common occurrences regarding the appearance of your hands and your health.

Flaky, Peeling Skin
Fingertips that suddenly begin to peel or become flaky are often an indication of a vitamin B deficiency. Two B vitamins that are important for the health of your skin are biotin, B7, and niacin B3. You can up the amount of niacin and biotin by eating foods like fish, peanuts, avocados and mushrooms, and you can also add a supplement to your diet. “Taking a biotin supplement helps to promote healthy skin and nail growth; niacin helps protect and repair skin by preventing the formation of melanin, boosting collagen growth, and improving your skin’s natural moisture barrier,” says David Bank, M.D, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at New York City’s New York-Presbyterian/Columbia.

Discoloration Under Your Nail
If you notice a black or brown streak under your nail, seek medical attention immediately. According to David J. Leffell, M.D., Chief Section of Dermatologic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology at Yale University School of Medicine a black or brown streak under the nail can be a sign of acral melanoma, a rare skin cancer that often occurs in people with darker skin tones. Although this nail discoloration may be an early sign of melanoma, this type of cancer only accounts for about one to three percent of all cases of melanoma.

Pale, White or Blue Fingertips
Fingertips that change in color from blue to white to red could be an indication of Raynaud’s syndrome. According to Bank, “this condition causes coldness of the fingers and toes and can be accompanied by pain, numbness and tingling.” Experts believe that Raynaud’s syndrome is caused by spasms of the blood vessels that narrow them and lead to decreased circulation. You may also notice that your ears or nose go numb when temperatures drop or when you are put under a significant amount of stress.

Woman scratching her arms.

Dry, Itchy Skin
Your hands are frequently dried out because they are in constant use. “Repeated hand washing, which can dry your hands, and then touching paper and other harsh material all day long, will doubly dry them out,” warns Bank. However, if your skin seems to remain dry and itchy or if you have rashes, you may have eczema. Check with your doctor to determine whether or not your skin is just dry or if you have eczema. Bank says to apply products containing vitamins A and E to your hands and cuticles at night. “Because we don’t wash our hands while we sleep, these products will have a good amount of time to penetrate into your skin,” says Bank.

Pale, White Nail Beds
Not to be confused with pale or white fingertips that may be a symptom of Raynaud’s syndrome, pale or white nail beds can be a sign that you are anemic. Anemia means that your body is not making enough healthy red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying adequate oxygen to your tissues. Generally, the treatment for anemia is quite simple and involves iron supplementation, but you should confirm this diagnosis with a doctor before taking additional iron.

It is useful to check your own body, if you find any of these signs or symptoms on your hands or nails, contact a medical professional. Paying attention to your body helps you to remain healthy and informed, and don’t forget to give your hands a little extra TLC every so often.

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