Donot poke around in the space between your nail and the nail bed. It is easy to enlarge the space in between, making the gap more susceptible to infection. Keeping your nails trimmed neatly and washing your hands thoroughly are all you need to do to keep your nails healthy and looking their best. Especially during the cold and flu season, hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs and viruses. Frequent washing tends to have a drying effect on the skin, so make sure to use an emollient rich hand lotion or cream to replenish lost moisture.