I swear
it’s like I have glands under my fingernails that secrete filth. Doesn’t seem to be but about a minute from when I scrape the crap out to when they’re dirty again.
I was a nail biter for 30 years, and then one day, I just stopped. I have no idea why nor reason. I still have one thumbnail that is deformed because I’ve hit it with a hammer so many times, and a pinky nail that breaks every time it grows past the end of my finger, but I am boggled by the fact that I can’t seem to keep them clean.
Aftr a week soaking in the waters of Lake Huron, they stay white for about three days, then back to normal again.
I think i need a seven billion dollar government grant to study this phenomenon.
Being a full time mechanic has gotten me over my nail biting. Something about the taste of the crud that collects under my nails cured me.
I have two nails that have longitudinal flaws from injuries to the cuticle. The nails aren’t split but there are definite lines that fracture easy when the nails get a little long.
Due to an under active thyroid mine split and chip unless I keep them trimmed almost to the quick. Does reduce the amount of retained dirt though.
I hit my left index finger with a hammer back in ’77 whilst nailing together a short wall section. It was hot, I was tired, I decided not to move over so I could bang the nail in from the perpendicular — and I badly misjudged the swing.
20 oz. hammer in full swing hitting poor unprotected index finger full on the nail = longitudinal flaw AKA what John has. And a slight wince every time I see a cartoon character do materially the same thing…
Quit digging in the dirt, Og.
I too used to chew my nails. None of the are as strong as they should be so I keep them trimmed back pretty tight.
I think wrenching broke me of the habit. Did not thing the grit under the nails was very tasty so I quit. Kind of like cigarettes.
Need to keep some vices though.
You must be Jonathan Hoag. The bird is cruel.
Back when I was wrenching on big ugly Air Nasty Guard trucks & equipment, they had just come out with the blue Nitrile gloves. I got religious about using them and my hands really liked it.
Nowadays, you don’t get the proctologist jokes like I did when I was the only troop in the shop using gloves. Every meckyneck I know uses some sort of gloves, and OSHA requires them in a lot of shops now.
For those ugly fingernail deposits, use your kitchen sink spritzer nozzle, after soaking in dishwater. BTW, while you’re there do the dishes and ur wife will love the break from it.