Give your toenails a polish break, even in summer

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WPVI) -- For many women toenail polish is a must-have, especially during the summer.

But, foot experts say you shouldn't keep it on all summer.

Dr. Joy Rowland, a podiatrist with the Cleveland Clinic, says dyes from the polish can soak into the nail and dry it out.

That makes it easier for bacteria, and other organism to invade, opening the door to long-term problems.

Specialists recommend a few weeks on, and a few weeks off for toenail polish.

If you take the polish off, and the nail looks chalky or dry, there are some fixes.

"I recommend putting something as simple as vitamin E oil on the nail plate and rubbing it in, and then we do a gentle filing if we need to, to see if we can't get the nail to start looking more healthy," advises Dr. Rowland.

She says you should avoid putting new polish on while a discolored nail is growing out.

An oil treatment every time you take polish off can also help, by preventing drying.