Like hair, I am an extension of your skin and made up of similar materials. What makes me hard is a protein called keratin. This consists of dead skin cells which are closely packed together. This makes me flexible yet tough.

The pale white portion you see at my base is the lunula. This half moon-shaped area may be small or big depending on the extent on which the cuticle has been pushed downward and trimmed.

Compared to other parts of the body, I grow slowly: about 1/8 inch a month for fingernails and about 1/24 inch for toenails. That's the reason I take months to heal if I am injured.

However, I am less likely to give you trouble if you take good care of me. You can do this by not biting or picking on me. Avoid using strong detergents or chemicals for these can weaken and discolor me. If you must use them, wear rubber gloves to protect me.

To keep me in good shape, my fingernails have to be trimmed weekly. For the toenails, do this only once a month since I grow more slowly there. The best time to trim me is after bathing.

Some people think they're doing me a big favor by covering me with all kinds of nail care products. I wish they wouldn't do that. They're only making things bad for me.

The worst offenders are nail polish removers which can weaken and dry me. Much advertised nail strengtheners can discolor and break me. And despite what you hear, there is no scientific evidence that gelatin capsules, calcium tablets or vitamins can help me.

There is one other important function I perform. If you're sick, it will show in me. Like your eyes, I mirror your health. And my No. 1 enemy is onychomycosis or ringworm of the nails.

My doctor said this fungal disease can make me dull, brittle, and flaky. Untreated, this disorder can spread from the toenails to the fingernails and can be very difficult to treat. Aside from making me look ugly, onychomycosis can be uncomfortable and painful. That's what makes me suffer and it's the main reason why people get dead nails.

Antifungals are normally used to treat this condition but not all of them work and some have serious side effects. Newer products are safer but may take time before you see any results.

But I'm glad there's a safe and natural product that can help me. It's called Somasin AFS and it will get rid of stubborn nail infections fast. Somasin helps restore my natural shine, luster, and look in just seven days. Check out for more information.

In closing, remember to take good care of me and I won't let you down. I am an important part of you and life would be difficult without me. Love me like you love the other parts of your body and you won't regret it.