Health Tip: Keep Your Nails Healthy

(HealthDayNews) -- Healthy nails are essential, not only for good looks, but for protecting the health of your fingertips.

The Mayo Clinic offers these suggestions for keeping your nails in tip-top shape:

• Protect your nails. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when using soap and water for long periods, such as washing dishes, or when using harsh chemicals.
• Do not treat your nails as tools. Don''t use them to pick, poke or pry things.
• Don''t bite your nails or pick at the cuticles -- you could damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut alongside your nail can allow bacteria or fungi to enter and cause an infection.
• Moisturize your nails often. When you''re putting lotion on your hands, rub it into your nails, as well.

-- Anne Thompson