1) Keep fingernails dry and clean. This prevents bacteria from growing under your fingernails.

2) Use moisturizer. When you use hand lotion, rub the lotion into your fingernails and cuticles, too.

3) Apply a protective layer. Applying a nail hardener might help strengthen nails.

4) Practice good nail hygiene. Use a sharp manicure scissors or clippers. Trim your nails straight across, then round the tips in a gentle curve.

5) Ask your doctor about biotin. Some research suggests that the nutritional supplement biotin might help strengthen weak or brittle fingernails

6)Take steps to stop biting your nails. While this can be a difficult habit to break, it’s important because your mouth has germs and bacteria that can easily enter your body through abrasions created by your teeth.

7)Clean With a Nail Brush:
Many women risk infection with rigorous cleaning under the nails using long, pointy tools, both at home and during manicures. Trying so diligently to clean under the nail that they end up with a kind of a gap between the nail and the nail bed

8) Don’t Bite your fingernails or pick at your cuticles. These habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut alongside your fingernail can allow bacteria or fungi to enter and cause an infection. Also You might rip live tissue along with the hangnail. Instead, carefully clip off hangnails

9) Do not use your nails as a tool, such as opening pop cans.

10) Avoid “digging out” ingrown toenails, especially if they are infected and sore. If you are suffering from an ingrown toenail, see a dermatologist for treatment.

Lastly stop Ignoring problems. If you have a nail problem that doesn’t seem to go away on its own or is associated with other signs and symptoms, consult your doctor or dermatologist for an evaluation.