Nails are one of the most neglected parts of our body, and many people don't pay attention to their nail health. This leads to a number of problems that can be easily addressed with a few simple changes in your daily routine. In this article, we will take a look at some common nail issues and how you can solve them without having to spend money on expensive treatments or products.

White spots on your nails

White spots on your fingernails and toenails, also called leukonychia or white nails, are harmless. They can be caused by a fungal infection or a vitamin deficiency. If you have white spots on your nails that are not going away after two months, see your doctor.

White spots may also indicate a bacterial infection or an injury to the nail bed or nail itself. This kind of white spot is called parakeratosis and can be caused by injury from hammering down a nail too hard (ouch!), cutting yourself with scissors while trimming your nails, or even accidentally hitting yourself with something heavy like a hammer!

Ridges in your fingernails

Ridges in your fingernails can be the result of a number of factors. The most common causes are aging and trauma from injuries, but there are other possibilities as well. Here are a few reasons that you might have ridges on your nails:

• Your nails may be growing faster than usual, which causes them to thicken and form ridges over time. This is often due to an underactive thyroid gland or an iron deficiency. If it's not caused by any medical issue, then try cutting back on how many times you wash your hands each day (without soap) so that it can help prevent the growth of new layers underneath the old ones faster than normal!

• They could also be caused by poor circulation in your hands. Try massaging cream into both hands thoroughly every night before bedtime; this should help improve blood flow throughout each day as long as they're doing their job properly when they wake up tomorrow morning!

Thin or brittle fingernails

If you have thin or brittle fingernails, they are easily broken and peel back from the nail bed. This can be caused by a number of factors. It's important to find out why you have this problem so that you can treat it appropriately.

• Biochemical: Weak nails are often due to an imbalance of calcium in the body. If there is too much calcium in your system, it will pull moisture away from other areas, including your nails. Make sure that you're getting enough vitamin D and magnesium as well as iron for this issue.

• Mechanical: If you constantly bite or pick at your cuticles, they may become dry and begin to fall off on their own over time (or even break). This is because these actions tend to cause trauma on the surface of the nail plate which results in weak spots that are more likely to break off than other parts of the nail itself. Environmental factors like chemicals in nail polish and detergents could also be contributing factors.

Swollen and painful cuticles

Swollen and painful cuticles can be a sign of several problems. The most common cause is dry skin, which makes it easy to pick at the edges of your nails. This may be why you’re noticing them: if you notice that your cuticles look like this, try using a moisturiser on them daily. If the problem persists, however, there are other possible causes:

• Biting or picking at your nails can also cause swelling and pain around the nail beds—this is because biting or picking breaks small blood vessels in the surrounding area that lead to inflammation.
• It could also be bacterial dermatitis which happens when skin becomes irritated by excess moisture in one area for too long.

Discoloured or thickened nails

Nails can become discoloured due to a variety of reasons, including exposure to chemicals or a fungal infection. But the most common cause of discoloured nails is a condition called leukonychia, which causes the nails to turn white or yellowish.

Nail changes associated with certain medical conditions, such as cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and diabetes mellitus (diabetes), can also result in discoloured nails. This is because these conditions affect how well nutrients are absorbed into the body from food sources and the way in which proteins are made by cells.

How to improve the health of your nails

Try the following tips:

Keep your nails short and clean. Cleaning your nails daily will help prevent dirt from building up under them. If they're long, trim them using nail clippers or scissors, and use your Buff Wand to file and shape them. Buff Wand's nano-technology will seal the edges of your nails to prevent splitting and breakage. If they're ingrown, use your Buff Wand to gently file away the edge of the nail until it's level with the skin surrounding it.

Apply lotion or oil to your hands and feet every day after bathing or showering. This will help keep your nails moisturised, which may lessen discolouration. An anti-fungal and nourishing cuticle oil applied daily will keep away fungus-causing bacteria and promote strong, healthy nails (stay tuned as we have one in the works!)

Wear gloves when doing household chores such as washing dishes, cleaning house and gardening — especially during cold weather months when your hands are exposed for extended periods of time. This will help prevent water from getting trapped underneath your fingernails and causing any further damage from occurring.

Follow a healthy diet rich in vitamin B12, Biotin and folate; these can be found in green, leafy vegetables, fruit, beans, lentils, avocado, eggs, meat and fish.