| How to Get Rid of White Spots on Your Nails Posted: 02 Nov 2019 05:00 PM PDT Medically speaking, those little white marks that sometimes appear as dots or lines on finger and toenails are known as leukonychia. They are usually benign and due to an injury, an allergy, or a vitamin deficiency. For the most part, you can treat white spots at home with a variety of natural remedies. If white spots do not clear up, see a doctor for evaluation. In rare cases, white spots on nails can indicate underlying medical issues. [Edit]Using Home Remedies - Moisturize your nails daily. Make sure you use a moisturizer on your nails in addition to your hands. Rub a nourishing hand oil or vitamin E oil onto your fingernails every night before bed. This can help your nails stay strong and healthy and may reduce the appearance of white dots.[1]
- Try essential oils. Essential oils have been known to heal white spots caused by injury to the nail or nail fungus. Tea tree oil and orange oil tend to work best. Mix a few drops of your essential oils with a carrier oil like olive oil and then rub the oil onto your fingernails. Orange oil should be left to soak for about 45 minutes while tea tree oil should soak for about 15 to 20 minutes.[2]
- Always rinse and wash your nails after applying the oils.
- Soak your nails in white vinegar and water. Mix one part white vinegar with one part water in a bowl. Dip your fingernails in the bowl. Soak them for 10 minutes and then rinse and dry your nails. Do this about four times a week and you may begin to see a reduction in white spots.[3]
- If you have sensitive skin, use a higher water to vinegar ratio.
- Rub lemon slices on your nails. Lemon has a lot of vitamin C and a deficiency in this vitamin sometimes causes white spots on nails. To use lemons, simply cut a lemon in half and rub the slice onto your fingernails. Leave the juice on for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing and drying your nails.[4]
- Soak your nails in unsweetened yogurt. Natural, unsweetened yogurt without added flavors can bolster nail health and potentially reduce the appearance of white spots. Place around three tablespoons of yogurt into a bowl and dip your nails in the bowl for 10 to 15 minutes. When you're done, rinse your nails in warm water.[5]
- You can also add a few drops of lemon juice or vitamin E oil to the yogurt.
- Use alka seltzer tablets. Alka seltzer tablets have been known to reduce white spots for some. Drop a couple of tablets in warm water and soak your fingernails in the water for five minutes.[6]
- Let them grow out. For the most part, patience is key to getting rid of white spots on nails. White spots will usually fade or grow out on their own with time. While you can take steps to speed up the process, sometimes you have just have to wait.[7]
[Edit]Making Lifestyle Changes - Change your diet. Deficiencies in zinc, vitamin C, calcium, and protein can sometimes cause white dots on nails. Upping your intake of these vitamins and minerals can help reduce spots.[8]
- Eat fruits like oranges, lemon, grapefruits, and apples for added vitamin C.
- Broccoli, cabbage, kale, turnips, poultry, fish, and nuts also provide the needed nutrients for nail health.
- You can also try taking a multivitamin, which you can buy at any grocery store or drugstore. This can help if you have food sensitivities that prevent you from gaining nutrients directly from food.
- Avoid biting and picking at your nails. You can actually damage your own nails through bad habits like picking and biting. If you're prone to fiddling with your nails, stop doing it. With less picking and biting, you may notice a reduction in white spots.[9]
- If you have difficulty not picking or biting your nails, try wearing bandaids over your nails. Painting your nails may also help, as you may not want to ruin freshly painted nails.
- Adjust your footwear. If your toenails tend to get white spots as well, change the shoes you're wearing. Tight, uncomfortable shoes can damage toenails, causing white spots. Switch the shoes you normally wear for roomier, more comfortable varieties and see if you notice a reduction in white spots.[10]
- This is particularly important if you engage in activities like running, jogging, or other vigorous exercise. Comfortable tennis shoes are vital to your nail health.
- Use gloves when cleaning. Never do things like dishes, dusting, or other household chores with bare hands. While such activities may not seem taxing, they can actually damage and dry out your nails. For optimal nail health, invest in a pair of rubber gloves for use when cleaning.[11]
- Do not paint your nails too often. If you paint your nails regularly, try not to paint them two days in a row. Nail polish can dry out and damage nails, leading to issues like spots. You should also pay attention to how your nails react to polish. If you tend to get spots after using a particular polish, you may have an allergy that's causing that reaction. Stop using that polish right away.[12]
- Also, minimize manicures. Try to only get a professional manicure on special occasions if you're prone to white spots.
[Edit]Seeking Medical Care - See a doctor for white spots that do not go away. If your nail spots do not go away with a home treatment, make an appointment to see your doctor. While usually not harmful, white spots on nails can sometimes indicate underlying problems like anemia or liver issues.[13] Also, in the event you have nail fungus, you may need prescription medications.
- Take oral anti-fungal drugs if your doctor prescribes them. If your doctor diagnoses a fungal infection as the cause of your white spots, they may give you a prescription for an oral anti-fungal medication. Typically, these medications are taken for 6 to 12 weeks and should eventually eliminate symptoms of nail fungus induced spots.[14]
- Make sure you discuss any existing health problems you have before taking an anti-fungal medication. Anti-fungal medications can cause rashes or can damage the liver.
- Try medicated nail polish or cream. A doctor may also prescribe an anti-fungal cream or polish that you apply to the nails. You usually apply the cream to your nails for a set period of time. This can range for a few weeks to up to a year.[15]
- You can also use a neutral colored polish to cover white spots, if you so desire.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Foundation Single Crochet Posted: 02 Nov 2019 09:00 AM PDT Foundation single crochet (FSC) is a stitch that combines the chain row and the first single crochet row. Using FSC instead of chaining and single crocheting separately can simplify the beginning of a crochet project. The stitch is easy to learn as well. You will need to start the stitch using a sequence of basic crochet techniques, and then work the rest of the row using a different sequence. Try using FSC to start your next crochet project and save yourself a little time. [Edit]Crocheting the First Stitch - Make a slipknot. Before you can start your foundation single crochet row, you will need to make a slipknot. To make a slipknot, wrap your yarn around your finger twice, and then pull one loop through the other to make a loop with a knot at the end of it. Slide the slipknot onto your hook, and tug the yarn to secure it.[1]
- Chain two. Next, you need to chain two stitches. To do this, loop the yarn over the hook in front of your slipknot. Then, pull the new yarn through the slipknot to make one chain. Then, yarn over and pull it through again to make the second chain.[2]
- Insert hook into the first chain and yarn over. Identify the first chain you made, and then insert the hook into this chain. Then, loop the yarn over the hook and pull it through the chain. At this point, you should have two loops on your hook.[3]
- Loop the yarn over and pull through. Next, loop the yarn over the hook and pull it through the first loop on the hook. This will make a chain of one and you should still have two loops on your hook.[4]
- Loop the yarn over and pull through both loops. To complete the stitch, yarn over your hook again and pull the yarn through both of the loops on the hook. Now, you should only have one loop on the hook and you are ready to continue the row.[5]
- Mark your first stitch with a stitch marker. Some people find it helpful to mark the first stitch in the row with a stitch marker. You may want to do this at least the first few times that you use the foundation single crochet stitch. Place the stitch marker through your first single crochet stitch.[6]
[Edit]Continuing the Foundation Row - Insert your hook into the stitch you just made. To continue the row, you will be following a shorter sequence than you used to create the first row. Start by inserting your hook into the stitch you just made. If you placed a stitch marker here, then it should be easy to locate.[7]
- Loop the yarn over and pull through the stitch. Next, loop the yarn over your hook and pull it through the stitch. Now, you should have two loops on your hook.[8]
- Yarn over again and pull through one loop. Loop the yarn over the hook again and then pull it through the first loop on your hook to make a chain. You should still have two loops on your hook at this point.[9]
- Do one more yarn over and pull through both loops. To complete the stitch, loop the yarn over the hook again and then pull it through both of the loops on your hook. This will leave you with one loop on your hook again and you will be ready to start the sequence over.[10]
- Repeat the sequence to the end of the row. Continue to repeat the sequence for this stitch until you have the desired number of stitches in your row. Then, you can continue your project.[11]
[Edit]Identifying Advantages of the FSC Stitch - Check the gauge of your yarn. You cannot get an accurate gauge of your yarn by crocheting a chain. However, using the FSC stitch is a good way to check the gauge of your yarn quickly.[12] You can make a 4" row of FSC stitches and then count them to determine the gauge of your yarn and hook. This could be a huge time saver if you are trying to determine your gauge for a project.
- Crochet into the top and bottom of the row. Another great advantage of the FSC stitch is that the top and bottom rows look the same. This means that you can work into the top and bottom rows and get the same results.[13] Therefore, the FSC stitch may be a good option if you want to work on both sides of your foundation row.
- Avoid having to redo your first row. It is common to miscount the links in your chain when you are crocheting a large piece, and this can be a time consuming mistake. You may end up having to start over from scratch if you don't notice the error until working on the first row of your project. By using the FSC stitch, you can count the stitches more easily as you go and you will be less likely to make a mistake with the number of stitches.[14]
- Get a neater look. The FSC stitch produces a neater looking first row than you might get by making a chain and then crocheting into it. If you have noticed that your projects tend to look a little sloppy when you start them with a chain, then try switching to the FSC stitch for your next project. This may give you better results once you master the stitch.[15]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Yarn
- Crochet hook appropriate for the type of yarn you are using. Check the yarn label if you are not sure what size to use.
- Stitch markers
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Soothe Itchy Eyelids Posted: 02 Nov 2019 01:00 AM PDT Itchy eyelids may be caused by things you encounter every day, such as environmental allergies, irritants, viruses, and makeup. However, itchy eyelids are also often a symptom of more serious eye conditions, such as conjunctivitis,blepharitis, allergies, or an infection. Luckily, there are a few different ways you can soothe itchy eyelids using simple home remedies. In some cases, medication may be necessary to relieve the itching, such as if the itching is severe or if you have an eye infection. See a doctor for diagnosis and treatment if the itchiness doesn't go away within a few days or if you have other symptoms, such as redness, flaky skin, or swelling. [Edit]Trying Home Remedies - Apply a cool compress to itchy eyelids with no other symptoms. Wet a clean washcloth under cool running water and then wring out the excess water. Fold the cloth in half and place it over your closed eyelids while you recline in a seated position or lie down on your back. Leave the washcloth in place for 5-10 minutes. Rewet the cloth and repeat as needed to soothe your eyelids.[1]
- This is a good option for everyday irritations, such as if your eyelids are itchy from dust, smoke, or pet dander.
- Try using a warm compress to soothe your eyes if they're red and flaky. Blepharitis is a condition that causes your eyelids to become red, flaky, and itchy, and applying a warm compress is one of the best ways to soothe and treat the condition. Hold a clean washcloth under warm running water, wring out the excess water, and fold the washcloth in half. Sit in a reclining position or lie down on your back and place the folded washcloth over your closed eyes. Leave it in place for 5-10 minutes.[2]
- Repeat this as needed throughout the day to help soothe your eyelids and loosen flaky skin.
- Cleanse your eyelids with warm water and baby shampoo if they're flaky. If your eyelids are red and flaky, adopt a daily eyelid cleansing routine. Wet your eyelids with warm water and then use a clean washcloth, cotton swab, or lint-free pad to massage a few drops of baby shampoo onto your closed eyelids. Continue scrubbing for about 15 seconds before you rinse away the baby shampoo with warm water. Repeat this twice daily.[3]
- Apply a facial moisturizer to your eyelids if they're dry. Dry skin around your eyes can also cause itchiness. To combat dry skin, apply a facial moisturizer all over your face after cleansing, including on your eyelids. If your eyelids are very dry, apply a heavy layer of lotion or use an intensive moisturizing cream.[4]
- Repeat this twice daily after cleansing your eyelids.
- Use anti-dandruff shampoo to wash your hair if you have dandruff. Having dandruff can lead to blepharitis, which causes red, flaky, itchy eyelids. If you also have dandruff, try switching to an anti-dandruff shampoo. This will help to stop the dandruff and it may also help to relieve eyelid itchiness caused by blepharitis.[5]
- Use the anti-dandruff shampoo the same way that you use your regular shampoo.
- Administer eye drops if you also have dry, red, or itchy eyes. Hold the eye drop bottle just above your eye and gently squeeze the tube to dispense 2-3 drops into your eye. Then, repeat for the other eye. Be careful not to let the tip of the eye drops touch your eyes or eyelids as this may contaminate the drops.[6]
- You can purchase over-the-counter eye drops in a grocery or drug store. Look for artificial tears, which are similar to the tears your eyes make naturally and will help to lubricate your eyes.
[Edit]Seeking Medical Help - See a doctor if the itchiness is severe or does not go away. In some cases, itchy eyelids can be an ongoing problem. If your eyelids do not improve after a few days of using home remedies or if the itchiness is accompanied by other symptoms, see a doctor to find out what's causing it. Some symptoms to watch for include:[7]
- Swelling and redness
- Drainage or pus
- Gritty or burning sensation
- Crusted over eyelashes when you wake up
- Eyelids sticking together
- Losing eyelashes
- Being sensitive to light
- Greasy looking eyelids
- Flaky skin on your eyelids
- Talk to your doctor about taking antihistamines for allergies. If you have allergies, you may benefit from taking antihistamines when you experience itchy eyelids. Ask your doctor for a recommendation about what type of antihistamine to take and how often to take it.[8]
- There are also prescription antihistamines and antihistamine eye drops, which may be helpful for severe allergies.
- Get a prescription for antibiotic drops or ointment if you have a bacterial infection. If you have a skin infection on your eyelids, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to help clear it up. If you're using drops, put 1 drop into the affected eye as directed by your doctor for about 1 week. If you're prescribed an ointment, then apply it directly to your eyelid following the directions on the package. Follow your doctor's instructions for how to use it and continue to use it for as long as your doctor instructs you to.[9]
- Antibiotics work well for treating conditions like bacterial conjunctivitis.
- Common antibiotics include moxifloxacin or ciprofloxacin.
- If the infection does not clear after using a topical antibiotic, your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic to treat it.
- Look into cyclosporine for severe itchiness that doesn't improve. Cyclosporine (Restasis) is a calcineurin inhibitor that may help to relieve the symptoms of blepharitis if nothing else has helped. If you have blepharitis and it does not respond to any other treatments, ask your doctor about getting a prescription for cyclosporine.[10]
- Note that this medication is an immunosuppressant that is usually prescribed when someone has had an organ transplant.[11]
- Get treated for any other conditions that may be causing itchy eyelids. Sometimes itchy eyelids won't get better until the underlying condition that's causing them goes away. If you think your itchy eyelids may be due to another condition, seek treatment for that. Some of the conditions that can cause itchiness include:[12]
- Allergic or bacterial conjunctivitis
- Psoriasis
- Rosacea
- Liver, kidney, or thyroid diseases
- Skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema
- Cancer and cancer treatments
- Diabetes
- Shingles
- Parasites
[Edit]Warnings - Follow up with your doctor if you don't see improvement within 1–2 days or if your condition gets worse.
- Avoid wearing eye makeup when your eyelids are inflamed. This can intensify the itching.[13]
- Don't scratch your eyelids. This will only make the itching worse.[14]
[Edit]References |
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