A woman’s hands have been considered a reflection of her social and self-image for generations. Hands can be beautiful but first they have to be healthy and this is achieved by proper hand care. Paying special attention to the cuticle is the one feature that often gets neglected or damaged through improper treatment.

By keeping in mind these simple tips to prevent inflammation and infections related to cuticle problems, your cuticles will be healthy and look amazing.

1. Don’t bite your fingernails. When you bite your nails with your teeth there is a tendency to rip the cuticle. Your mouth is also full of germs that can cause infections or open sores.

1. Avoid using your nails as pry tools. We are all guilty of using our fingernails to peel off a sticker, that last piece of burned stuck on food, or as a makeshift screwdriver. Since the majority of us have weak or brittle nails there’s a chance that the nail will break, possibly below the skin line.

1. Avoid handling harsh chemicals. Wearing rubber gloves will keep the skin from drying and cracking. Apply lotion to keep your skin smooth and supple if you suffer from chronically dry skin.

1. Make nail maintenance a part of your regular hygiene routine. By trimming your fingernails and using an emery board to smooth any rough edges reduces the chance of snagging a jagged nail. Also, refrain from yanking a hangnail from your finger. Though you may gain temporary relief from the annoying flap of skin, you most likely will harm the living cuticle tissue. There is also the potential for the hangnail to become infected and sore for several days or weeks.

1. Consult a professional manicurist on the details for nail and cuticle care. Some professionals treat the cuticles by softly pushing them back and applying an oil to keep them flexible and less prone to drying and cracking. Others cut away all the toughened material that they find as they feel it detracts from an overall beautiful polished set of nails. By carefully cutting the cuticles can reduce snags that can cause a tear that would be far worse than damage done by careful trimming.

Regardless of whether you prefer tidy cut cuticles it’s important to understand that finger and fingernail healthy is critical. Keep tabs on any pain or swelling that may occur from either home or professional manicures. This goes the same for anyone that bites his or her nails out of habit. By taking care of your nails and cuticles your fingers will remain pain and infection free.