Nails mirror health FINGER and toenails have a lot in common with your hair — and, taken care of, can add much to your good looks. Hair and nails are both made of keratin, a tough and elastic protein substance that can refect dramatically the state of your health. The keratin forms a curved nail plate and grows from a nail bed which gets its pink color from blood vessels close to the surface. The half- moon shaped area at the base of the nail is the ‘‘lunula’’ — white because of the air pocket located by the skin called the cuticle. Inspect your nails closely and you may discover some problems related directly to your diet or lifestyle. Abnor- mally thick nails are often caused by an infection. The condition can also be caused in toenails by wearing too- tight shoes. Thin, fragile atrophied nails which split and peel easily are due to a lack of proteins and vitamins in the diet, or reaction to harsh soaps and detergents. White spots on the nails may be related to obesity, allergy, fangue or even ex- treme cold. Lines of har- dened keratin may appear on the nail plate caused by mineral deposits, rheumatism or thyroid malfunction. Hangnails occur when cuticles grow forward over the nail. Fortunately, bruised or damaged nails will grow out and be replaced with normal nails, but if the matrix (the root of thenail) is destroyed, the nail will not regenerate. Matrices are often surgically destroyed when ingrown toe nails become aie chronic problem. The best way to prevent nail problems and ensure that beauty as through pro fessional manicures and pedicures. Rene Vincent ts) craeculive director of the Allied Beauty Association. Kid care FROM PAGE C1 hHlowers and a picket fence decorate the outside of the house, and inside a huge in tenor fills all the wants and needs of the youngsters, with the sincil of Coffee welcoming parcnts Included in the house arc toys, a huge play shde, a play stove, a sleeping room, numerous child size tables and chairs, a reading arca cushions, planned activitics and of course, windows and bright dayhght everywhere Open hours ar 8 JO am to 6 30 pm Monday to Satur day, with special late hours to 930 pm on Thursday and briday Whether you arc a parcnt a frend of samecone with children, or ao omenhant. you can confidently cecommend this crctting new addition to the North Shore for more informaton call Jule, Beth oof Pam sat 9B4 7722 oF vastt them at North Shore Children s Phouse 844 West PSth Street North Vancouver BC C5 - Wednesday, December 7, 1983 - North Shore News Color Your Christmas! One coat coverage tor bedrooms and living-rooms am CYW Everyday a Low Price $17 98 Latex One coat coverage tor hichens bathrooms, chiidren 3 rooms SC YW Everyday | ow Price $2) 34 Quart Nhuye setectton of fasmonable styles by leading manufac turers 6s ( house trom Canada 8 largest setec ton of instore wallpaper Al ihe Now paced alup to 40%” off" latest ¢ otOurs and patterns are on sale now at JO%. SO% oft tGeal tor use wth lates and on pant Comparable Pico to $s Oy Visit our stores for many unadvertised specials that will help you decorate your home and save! “Ot the regular pnce eisewnere Prices 10 efter t while quantities last Color Your World - Patut, Wallpaper @ Tie 2925 Lonsdale, N. Van. Open Sundays 1887 Marine Drive, N.Van. n oa Cc n . 8 Jones Lecce tay 985-5222 10 AM-4PM Place Imernstional Hove: 980-8567