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SELF-HELP PREVENTION: NAIL BRITTLENESS AND NAPPY RASH
Nail brittleness
Nails so soft that they split into layers or split very easily once they grow beyond the fingertips.
What causes it?
No one knows for certain. Possibilities are:
• Circulatory disturbances causing poor nutrition to the nail bed, but there are usually other signs of this and it is not common in the fingers.
• An inherited tendency.
• Psoriasis. Usually the nails are also pitted.
• Iron-deficiency-the nails are usually spoon-shaped.
• Zinc-deficiency.
Prevention
• See a doctor for the treatment of any circulatory disorder you have.
• Get psoriasis treated.
• Take iron supplements or eat more iron-containing foods.
• Use nail hardeners or nail polish to prevent the ends from splitting.
• Increase the whole foods you eat and cut down on refined foods.
• Take a zinc supplement (up to 20 mg daily).
Nappy rash
It is a reddened area of skin in the nappy area of a baby. This can develop into tight, papery skin with some peeling. The common rash tends to spare the folds and creases, but babies with sensitive skins and those prone to seborrhea (cradle cap) may get a rash that extends into the folds and creases. A monilial rash (caused by thrush) has features of both and also has some spots elsewhere. It is also possible to have a rash that is purely monilial and consists just of isolated spots.
If a nappy rash is very severe there may be raised, red pustules which turn into raw, ulcerated areas. Undoubtedly a baby with this severity of rash will be irritable and will cry a lot.
What causes it?
• Common nappy rash is caused by urine irritating the skin in places where the nappy chafes. Plastic pants increase the humidity by preventing evaporation and so make this kind of nappy rash worse. It is thought that ammonia released from the urine is not the cause of this kind of rash but it can make the rash worse if the skin is already damaged.
• Diarrhea of any cause can make a nappy rash worse.
• Allergies are rarely a cause but some babies appear to be allergic to certain chemicals used in the manufacture of paper nappy liners.
• Airtight and watertight plasticized disposable nappies provide little or no ventilation and may promote nappy rashes.
• Occasionally a nappy rash is the earliest sign of atopic eczema.
• One in two nappy rashes is caused by monilia (thrush). Any rash that has been present for three days or more is likely to have monilia in it.
Prevention
Preventing the common kind of nappy rash is simple:
• Change your baby’s nappies frequently, never allowing him or her to stay for long in a wet or soiled nappy.
• Leave your baby without a nappy for as much of the time as possible-this is easier in the summer.
• Wash the bottom well and dry it thoroughly, and only then apply a barrier cream. Do this every time you change the nappy.
• Soak nappies in a sterilizing solution before washing.
• Ensure that nappies are thoroughly rinsed to remove all the soap and detergent.
• A one-way fabric nappy liner works wonders but paper ones can actually make rashes worse.
• Ideally, avoid using plastic pants, though this is the counsel of perfection because it often means soaked clothing, bedding, etc.
• If you think a particular brand of disposable nappy is the cause of your baby’s problem it could be the plastic or the deodorizer used. Try the baby in terry nappies for a few days to see if this will cure the condition. Once a culprit has been found, avoid it in the future.
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