Onychoschizia: 5 Simple And Effective Home Remedies To Soothe Cracked Nails
All of us wish to have strong and beautiful nails, but brittle textured fingernails can hamper its health. Brittle nails or onychoschizia is a common condition categorised by soft, thin and splitting nails and it is more common among women than men. The nails are hard covering on the tips of the fingers and toes which are made up of layers of a protein called alpha keratin, offering protection to the fingers and toes. Keratin also makes up the cells in the hair and skin and functions to shield the nails from damage. The most common cause of brittle nails can be the result of an underlying health condition.
There are two types of brittle nails: dry and brittle or soft and brittle. Dry and brittle nails are the result of very less moisture which are commonly caused by repeated washing and drying of nails. While soft and brittle nails are caused by excess moisture which is due to over usage of detergents, dishwashers containing harsh chemicals and nail polish remover.
Clean And Bandage The Nail
You will want to keep the nail area clean and covered to protect it from further damage and infection.
It is best to use nonstick gauze and a self-adhesive bandage, sometimes referred to as vet wrap. I also used a baby sock as an additional layer of protection.
If you have a breathable dog boot such as HiPaw Nonslip boots, you can put that on over the gauze and vet wrap.
If you do not have a breathable boot, you can wrap your dogs foot, but you will need to extend the wrap above your dogs ankle otherwise, the bandage will slip off.
Be sure not to wrap it too tight as you can cut off circulation to your dogs foot.
You will want to keep your dogs nail covered until it heals over for Mira, it took a week.
Structure Of The Nail
Nails are made from a protein called keratin. This is the same protein that makes up skin and hair. Nails grow from cells that multiply within the base of the nail, then layer on top of each other and harden. This is called keratinisation.The strength, thickness and growth rate of nails are characteristics that we inherit from our parents. The structures of the nail include:
- Nail matrix where nail growth occurs, tucked under the skin behind the nail
- Nail plate the visible part of the nail
- Nail bed the nail plate sits on top of the nail bed. The nail plate looks pink because of the blood-rich capillaries in the nail bed
- Lunula the crescent-moon shape that you can sometimes see at the base of the nail plate
- Nail folds the slender skin grooves that hold the nail plate in place
- Cuticle the flap of thin tissue over the base of the nail plate.
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What Are The Best Ways To Strengthen Soft And Splitting Finger Nails
The simple, regular application of the lanolin-rich ointment Bag Balm works wonders to help stop nail splitting. In my almost 30 years practicing dermatology, I’ve never found a better nail product for this type of nail problem. For Bag Balm to work it’s magic, it’s always important to apply it to nails that just had a nice soak in water . I like to apply it to my nails and hands at night and cover them with cotton gloves.
Nail fragility can be helped even more by moisturizing the nail numerous times a day after washing. It also helps to avoid harsh soaps and solvent exposure that cause lipid loss and protein damage in the nail plate. This includes using only a gentle hand soap instead of dishwashing soap or harsh hand soaps.
Dry nails and hand skin are such a common problems that I created my Dry Skin Hand Repair Kitwith everything we need to avoid dry hands – AND NAILS – and to replenish lost lipids. This is what I use for my 62-year-old nails that naturally want to be fragile, dry and split. It takes work to keep them nice and this is how I do it.
Lack Of Balanced Diet
Another main cause of split toenails is an unhealthy diet. In fact, toenail problems are one of the indications that you are not consuming healthy food. As you probably know if your body is not getting the right nutrients, you tend to experience various conditions that affect your health negatively. Split toenails are one of the indication that your body is not getting the right nutrients.
When the nails become brittle, they start to crack. Iron, being one of the core nutrients that help to get healthy and strong nails will greatly help in maintaining healthy nails. If you are not sure of the best nutrients or the diets that should help you maintain healthy toenails, you should consult your doctor or dietician to help you out.
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What Is A Split Nail
A nail is said to split when its subjected to stress or lacking some essential nutrients. When nail split, they snag. That is, they catch or injure every damn thing that they come across with. With that being said, let me ask, would you like to know the science behind the splitting of nails?
OK good. Lets go.
Symptoms Of Brittle Nails: How Do You Know If You Have Brittle Nails
If your nails crack, chip, split, peel, or simply are weak, you may have brittle nails.
Brittle nails occur for a variety of reasons. They may be a normal sign of aging or the result of polishing your nails too frequently. When the weather is cold, brittle nails may result from dryness. Weak nails also can be a sign of a health issue.
Before you assume the worst or head to the doctor, learn how to strengthen brittle nails and the reasons why you might be experiencing them.
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Fungus Under The Toenail
There are various symptoms that indicate fungal infections. Some of these symptoms include:
- Discoloration
- Debris underneath the nail
- Hard and brittle nails
This condition may also lead to cracking and splitting of the toenails. In most cases, toenail fungus develops when there is excess moisture trapped under the nail bed. Since fungus thrives incredibly well in moist environments, people who wear socks regularly tend to experience this problem frequently.
If the condition is not treated properly, the fungus tends to grow very fast, and this may cause the nail being lifted from its bed. If the pressure is, too much on the nails arch, it may split. Sometimes, if the condition is severe, it can cause the edges of your nails to pull the surrounding skin.
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How Do You Treat Split Nails
A lotion with lanolin or alpha-hydroxy acid may soothe your nail area. Some people use a layer of clear nail polish to protect cracked nails. To prevent more splits, wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when your hands are in water. Gently file down any nail snags or uneven edges so they dont lead to more cracks.
Here Is All About How To Prevent And Treat A Cat Split Nail
The situation of a cat split nail is one of those that can make even the boldest of cats go bonkers with pain. You may tend to underestimate this injury by thinking that the nail is such a small body part but dont even make that mistake. As you read on, you will realize how excruciating is a nail split for the cats and how you must get ready with the right treatment for it once you see it happen.
More…
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Use Polish Free From The Chemical
Avoid using nail polished with harmful ingredients. If you must polish your nails, go after those that contain vitamins.
PS: Wearing polish for too long can absorb the moisture out of your nails, leaving them dry and liable to tear.
More also, nail polish shouldnt be worn for too long. Your nails deserve to breathe, give them a chance. With that being said, lets quickly look at some Frequently Asked Questions and provide answers to them.
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The Untold Science Behind Nail Splitting
It is said that for nails to split, they must have undergone some physical stress but that alone cant justify why they split. Here is the real deal why they do. I bet no one has ever told you this. Have they?
Keep reading.
Recall we said earlier on that nails are made up of protein-like material known as Keratin right? This keratin, which is made up of amino acid and looking more like a coiled-coil, contains sets of cells.
In each cell, theyre pores which are filled with air and water. The air and water present in each pore within the cells are what gives the nail its turgid look. When these nails are submerged in water for far too long, what happens is this.
The air and water present in those pores, found within cells that make up keratin evaporates. When they do so, they leave the nail plate dry and extremely brittle. When the nails now come in contact with an object, they split. So thats about that. Now lets look at the different types of nail splitting.
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Diagnosis And Treatment Of Nail Problems
Any abnormal changes to your nails should be medically investigated. See your doctor for treatment or possible referral to a dermatologist. If the cause of your nail problem is not immediately apparent, your doctor may take nail clippings and scrapings from beneath the nail for laboratory analysis. Fingernail infections usually respond faster to treatment than toenail infections.Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Antifungal preparations, mainly oral tablets, for fungal infections in the nails
- Treatment for any contributing skin disease
- Advice on appropriate nail care.
Use A Cuticle Cream Like Its Your Job
A soothing cuticle cream like Burts Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme helps nourish dry cuticles and brittle, damaged nails with vitamin E. Massage the cream into and around your nails nightly before going to bed.
Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center, advises, Cuticles can dry out from repetitive hand washing and manicures, so if they are not given extra protection with a nourishing cuticle cream, they will crack and split, increasing risk of nail infection.
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How To Fix A Broken Nail With Gel Strips
Looking for something less complicated? Fair. Try a gel nail strip as an alternative to the silk-wrap method. The results will be pretty similar, says Yankee, but they’re a lot easier to apply. Clean off any excess oil and polish from the broken nail, mend the crack with nail glue, and then stick the gel strip on top as a tape-like alternative.
Are There Vitamins That Will Strengthen Soft Fingernails
People often also ask me for a vitamin recommendation for their nail problems. Scientific studies on the benefits of vitamin supplements on nail structure are small and controversial but there are some options that seem sound. Of course, you should always eat a balanced and healthy diet so that you’re fortifying your nails with the vitamins and minerals they need from the inside out.
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Inflammation Of The Skin Alongside The Nail Paronychia
The skin lying alongside the nail can become infected with bacteria, typically Staphylococcus aureus. This infection is called paronychia. Symptoms may include pain, redness and swelling around the cuticle and yellow-green discharge.Treatment for paronychia includes:
- Keeping your feet as dry as possible
- Use of barrier creams, antiseptic lotions and antifungal preparations
- Antibiotic therapy .
Chronic paronychia is more difficult to treat. In chronic paronychia, the nail may distort and become discoloured, and the skin may lift at the site of infection. Sometimes, the inflammation spreads from one nail to another. A range of micro-organisms working together are responsible for chronic paronychia.
What Causes Fingernails To Split Down The Middle
There are a thousand and one reasons why fingernails split but what Ive found out over the course of growing and keeping nails as a lifestyle is that nails split when theyre subjected to external stress, health challenges, poor diet, or trauma.
Onychorrhexis, otherwise known as the vertical split, is the condition that occurs when fingernails tear down the middle.
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Deformed Or Brittle Nails
A violent toe-stubbing, dropping a heavy object on the toe or some other trauma can injure the nail bed and cause the nail to grow in a deformed way. The nail may be thickened or ridged. It is a normal ageing process for nails to thicken.Deformed or brittle toenails can benefit from regular professional attention. Trimming, shaping and nail care from a podiatrist can improve the health of your toenails and help diagnose and treat more serious nail problems.
When To Bring Your Dog To The Vet
Sometimes it is hard to know when to treat something at home or bring them to the vet, especially after hours.
Here are some ways to determine if you need to bring your dog in:
- If you are unable to control the bleeding
- If you cannot safely restrain your dog
- If your dogs nail is bent to an odd angle
- If your dogs nail appears infected
It is best to call your vet or emergency vet hospital if you are unsure whether to bring them in.
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When To See A Doctor
Most nail breaks are not serious and do not require medical assistance, especially if it is just the tip of your nail. If your nail breaks down into your nail bed, however, it can be quite painful. If this happens, watch for signs of infection, including redness, swelling, and pain, and see your doctor if this does occur.
If you caught your nail on something and ripped it off, unfortunately, it won’t reattachbut it will eventually grow back. If it has separated from the nail bed completely, it will take around six months to grow back out. You likely do not need medical attention for this unless you have increasing pain and/or swelling as this could indicate an infection.
You may notice your nail bed turning black or purple after an injury, especially if you smashed your finger or caught your nail on something and it ripped. If it is just a small bruised spot, it will go away as it heals and does not require medical attention. If it is a larger area and causes painful throbbing, you may have a subungual hematoma and your doctor may need to place a small hole and drain it to relieve the pressure and allow it to heal.
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- Nails support and protect the sensitive tips of our fingers and toes.
- Common causes of nail problems include injury, infection and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.
- Some conditions need professional treatment from a doctor or a dermatologist.
- People with diabetes or compromised immune systems have a higher risk of fungal nail infections.
- Toenail problems tend to be more common among older people.
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Use Material To Mend The Nail
Some inexpensive materials such as a coffee filter or tea bag can also to mend the gap created. You simply need to apply this material to the gap and seal it using an adhesive material or acrylic polish. This will help keep the nail together until it grows back to a length that it needs to be trimmed. If you want, you can use cosmetic nail polish to cover the material
Repairing Your Split Nail
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