It's said you can tell a woman's age by looking at her hands. If they're neglected, they indicate an age much older than is accurate. Many of us have gotten our nails done in a salon for years. But, in these hard economic times, a salon manicure is one of the luxuries many women are electing to cut from their budget. But, if the hands are not well cared for at home, they will suffer and begin to show signs of neglect. Regular care is necessary to maintain smooth skin and healthy, attractive nails.

One condition that will result pretty quickly, if your hands are neglected, is peeling cuticles. This happens when the cuticles become dry and cracked due to lack of moisture. They start peeling and appear ragged. This condition can also occur if the cuticle is trimmed too closely using scissors. This condition isn't something to take lightly. When a cuticle becomes damaged, it becomes susceptible to infection and fungus. This can cause the cuticle area to become extremely painful.

Peeling cuticles can be treated by keeping the cuticles well moisturized. Using a botanical oil will help heal and rejuvenate the skin and repair the damage, naturally. If the oil is applied on a daily basis, the cuticles should heal in no time. Select a healing skin oil that includes olive, jojoba, and rose hip seed oils; plus essential oils of benzoin, balsam peru, niaouli, french lavender, bergamot, carrot seed, patchouli, blue yarrow, german chamomile, calendula, and blue tansy.

If there is redness, swelling, and pain present, in addition to the ragged and peeling cuticles, more aggressive treatment is going to be needed. What you more than likely have is a fungus or bacterial infection. What you need is an antifungal oil that also has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties. That way the applications will resolve the problem, whatever the source. The oil should be applied two to three times a day until the nails and cuticles have been completely repaired. Look for a product that contains olive oil and essential oils of clove, camphor, tea tree, neem, spikenard, balsam peru, cinnamon, oregano, palmarosa, rosewood, sage, and cedarwood.

Prevention is always best and with a little care, you can keep your hands and nails looking beautiful. Once you get your cuticles healed, you want to keep them in good shape. First remember not to cut your cuticles with scissors. Soak your hands in warm water and then use an orange stick to gently push the softened cuticle back. If there is loose cuticle that needs to be removed, use disinfected nail snippers to carefully remove only the loose skin. Then apply a drop of your nail oil to each cuticle area and gently massage it into the cuticle and nail bed. Proper and regular nail care will prevent any recurrence of these problems.

Suzanne VanDeGrift has developed this article, on behalf of Dherbs.com. Dherbs offers specially formulated 100% antifungal oil.