手腳表皮有時會長出厚厚的硬皮，硬皮有些是雞眼、有些是病毒疣、有些可能是繭，怎樣分辨呢？
雞眼是皮膚被反覆磨擦刺激導致角質層過度增生而成，是一種腳底常見的良性病灶。好發位置在腳底，趾背與趾間，拇指與小指外緣，不具傳染性。外觀特色是中心有圓錐狀半透明核心，表面與繭比起來較平滑。雞眼未必需要治療，但如果發現感染或出現特殊情況建議看醫生。
繭成因也是和雞眼一樣，因反覆磨擦而成，但好發位置通常在手部或腳底承受壓力。它同樣不具傳染性，外觀特色是無明顯核心，形狀視壓迫情況而定，面積通常比較眼大，通常不需治療。
就以下圖，市面上有很多不同類型的方法去處理，最常用是銼刀法。銼刀可將厚厚的老繭剷除，但注意要一層一層地將老繭剔除，太大力容易碰傷皮膚 ，使皮膚流血和受感染。
我們 Rainbow Nails 會採用磨機方法，慢慢把老繭磨平，雖然需要磨平繭時間較長，但經過打磨之後再生長出來的角質層會出之前薄，從而令徵狀得到改善。
下一回我們會再探討病毒疣。
Nail-cutting is not only a habit, it is also for the reason of health. Overgrown nails can harbor a lot of germs. Most people trim their nails regularly with nail clippers, but do you know the proper way?
What should you know about cutting nails
1）Wash fingernails and toenails nail-tip spaces to prevent bacteria from getting into the cut. Besides, water can soften the nails which makes them easier to be trimmed. Hard nails may scrape the skin.
2）Do not rush. Do not cut too round, too short or too deep. At least leave a 1mm edge. Toenails should be cut straight across. Cutting too deeply into both sides may lead to ingrown toenail.
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剪指甲是每個人從小做到大的衞生習慣，主要目的在於避免細菌在指甲內繁殖。因為如果指甲過長，暗藏在指甲裏的細菌，隨時會「病從口入」。一般人拿起指甲鉗胡亂修剪，而未必懂得正確修剪指甲。
剪指甲其實應注意以下事項：
1）剪腳甲之前，應先把手指腳趾縫沖洗乾淨，避免外面帶來的細菌在剪指甲的過程中悄悄地溜進來！更何況，回家把手腳洗乾淨，因為指甲變軟之後會比較好剪。如果指甲太硬，剪的時候指甲可能會刺到指頭旁邊的細皮嫩肉而受傷。
2）剪指甲一定堅持「不求快」。指甲不能剪得太「短」、剪得太「圓」、剪得太「深」。首先應留最前端白色部份至少1毫米，而腳趾甲應剪成方形。因為如果剪得太「深」，會讓腳甲長得太過於凹入趾頭，之後很可能會得到甲溝炎。切記啊～
更多內容:
平日你是否只掛住美肌，忘記了指甲也一樣重要呢？指甲是由角質蛋白組成，針對這個成份，其實在日常的食品中也可加強指甲的健康。
1.牛肉
牛肉含豐富的蛋白質，而且還有一個重要的元素──鐵。缺鐵會導致頭髮稀疏，亦會容易有反甲及指甲疾病。不用日日食，適量便可。
2.藍莓
當中的抗氧化劑有助於保護您的身體細胞免受自由基損害。其他水果和深綠色的蔬果也有抗氧化劑，不過藍莓差不多擁有最高的抗氧化成份。
3.生蠔
生蠔除了好味外，原來營養也十分豐富。當中的鋅有助製造蛋白質，因此可幫助指甲的生長。如不喜歡吃蠔？也可吃牛肉、烤豆等助你攝取鋅。
不論大人小孩不妨參考一下吧！
On our previous post, we mentioned that spots, lines and shininess on the nails indicate different health conditions of the body. This time, we are going to focus on color.
Why can Nails be different in color?
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are many acu-points around the nails. This means under each nail it is a hub for blood and energy flow. Therefore, hidden health condition of the body may reveal through color of the nails.
Nails looking whitish signals insufficiency of blood. If pale color is accompanied by having dents on the nails, it May be Iron deficiency anemia. Dark brown nails can be caused by Poor function of the kidneys. Green or yellow nails means weak lungs. If the skin is also yellowish, it can mean jaundice or hepatitis. Purple red nails indicate poor blood circulation or even cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and lung disease. Blackish nails might appear on people who are undergoing chemotherapy. Black lines on the nails may just be longitudinal melanonychia which occurs when pigments under the nails become excessive. This does not need to call for a concern. However, if the lines darken or widen in time, it can be a kind of skin cancer called subungual melanoma.
What does it say in western medical practice?
If the nails are pale, that means poor nutrition or anemia. If the nails suddenly turned white, that means the body is suffering from emergency problems such as bleeding or even coma. Liver failure maybe reflected through white nails. The person should go check with a doctor quickly. Furthermore, grey nails can mean lack of oxygen or fungal infection. Yellow nail can be stain of tobacco tar, or it can be Vitamin E deficiency.
Health Tips:
Many people are way too busy. To improve your health, it is important to nourish the livers and kidneys. Alcohol and cigarettes are enemies to healthy nails. Quit them soon! Also, be sure not to over exert your body and have plenty of rest.
上次提到指甲的斑點、紋理和光澤都反映著指甲的健康。除此之外，指甲甲身的顏色我們也可以注意一下。
指甲會有不同顏色？
在中醫角度，指甲附近有很多穴位，是氣血交匯的地方，顏色足以反映身體健康。
指甲偏白代表血虛，指甲同時凹陷代表缺鐵性貧血；呈深褐色有機會因腎虛或腎氣不足；青或黃色代表肺氣虛，若皮膚同時帶有黃色，更有機會患上黃疸或肝炎； 紫紅色反映血液循環不好，甚或患上心腦血管或肺部疾病。
有些正接受化療的病人，指甲會偏黑。有些病患者指甲呈黑色直條紋，是「縱向黑甲症」，即指甲下出現良性黑色素細胞痣或色素斑，此情況不必太擔心。但如果開始出現不等間距、寬窄不一的縱向黑色條紋，則有機會是惡性黑色素瘤。
西醫角度又如何？
指甲顏色偏白，代表身體營養不良或貧血的徵狀。如果突然變白，則表示失血及休克等急症。指甲啞白色的話，就可能係肝臟疾病，應盡快作身體檢查。指甲呈灰色，很大機會是缺氧或受真菌感染。如果指甲變黄則可能是抽煙燻蒸所致，又或者是體內缺乏維他命E所致。
健康小貼士:
打工仔日常工作忙碌，要改善健康應由「養肝益腎」入手。「要戒煙酒，平時最好早瞓同有充足休息。」
A professional nail technicians job is not only to put on pretty shades on for the clients, it is also to observe the natural conditions of their nails. Nails often give a telltale sign that reveal the internal health of the person. In fact, anyone can read the health message through the shapes, sizes and colors of their nails.
Below let us unlock the health secrets hiding inside the nails.
Spots on the Nails
White spots can mean calcium deficiency, zinc deficiency or fungal infection. Yellow spots indicates possible Overtiredness, Mel nutrition or digestion problem. If black spots are found, it can be a warning signs of Gastroptosis or stomach cancer.
Lines on the Nails
When vertical lines appear on the nails, it may means over tiredness, lack of sleep or The development of chronicle disease. However, if there is horizontal line on the nail end it moves up as the nail grows, it may indicate that there is already a chronicle disease Please go check with the doctor as soon as possible.
Shininess of the Nails
If the nails appear to be dull, it may be the signs of chronic wasting disease such as tuberculosis, different kinds of Abscess or chronic bleeding, etc. on the other hand, if the shines are patchy on one or a few of the nails, it may indicate inflammation problems such as chronic bronchitis
身為一個專業美甲師，除了幫客人塗上色彩繽紛的甲油，其實同時間亦都要觀察客人指甲的健康，因為指甲等同於一部健康顯示器。其實自己觀察亦不是困難，只要憑指甲的形狀、大小及顏色便可以估算到身體的狀況，以下就為你解開指甲健康的祕密。
指甲上的斑點
指甲上有白色斑點通常是缺少鈣、硅或有寄生蟲病。黄色斑點則可能操勞過度或營養不良，要注意消化系統的毛病。如果有黑色斑點，嚴重的話可能是胃下垂或胃癌的預警。
指甲上的紋理
當指甲表面出現一條條直紋時，表示操勞過度或睡眠不足，嚴重者可能是體內器官的慢性病變，要多加注意。如果指甲上出現横紋，就代表體內已出現病變，橫紋會隨指甲生長往上移，遇見此情況應盡早作身體檢查。
指甲表面的光澤
指甲失去光澤表示體內存在著某些慢性消耗性疾病，例如結核病、各種膿瘍或慢性出血等。如果指甲光澤不均，可以表現在不同指甲或同一指甲的不同位置，則表示體內存在某些炎症，例如慢性氣管炎。
In early 2000s, The cosmetic industry believed that the lipstick index is an indicator for recessive growth of economy. However, market opinion researchers recently found out that sales of nail polish has taken over and become the new economics thermometer.
Going back to the time during the Dot Com Bubble, lipstick sales were going up while luxury sales were going down. It was believed that Women were reserving money and make more purchases on less expensive items. Ever since, The lipstick indexed has been used to measure consumer confidence.
However, in recent studies through the 2008 Financial Crisis, analyst found out that The sales of nail polish have assumed the role of the economy crystal ball instead of lip care products. It was believed that women became frugal and skimmed visiting nail salons while putting their money inDIY nail polish products. This was reflected by a 12% increase in nail polish sales in that year.
Actually, nail salon can provide professional services in a greater comfort. Whether it is rise or fall of the economy, when the nails are professionally done, you look more professional. You definitely get more confidence in the commercial world.
You have probably already know what kinds of food are good for the skin. How about your nails? Nails are made of carotene proteins. There are certain foods can make the nails stronger and healthier. Here are a few of them,
1. Beef
Beef is rich in protein. More importantly, it has a high content of iron which prevent the thinning of hair as well as spoon nails and other nail problems. You do not have to have beef everyday, moderate amount is good enough.
2. Blueberry
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants which protect body cells against free radicals. Other kinds of fruit and dark green vegetables may be high in antioxidants, but blueberries contain the highest of all.
3. Oyster
Oysters not only are rich in nutrients, it is also high in zinc which helps the body to form protein and promote growth of nails.
If you do not like the taste of oysters, beef and baked beans are good alternative sources of zinc too.
The above are suitable for adults and children alike.
