Treatments For Brittle Nails
Your doctor can help you understand what’s causing your brittle toenails to develop and can then develop a course of treatment appropriate to your situation. But in general and for overall nail health, drinking plenty of water can help to hydrate your toenails, Dr. Pinker says.
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If your toenails are chipping and becoming brittle because you’re a runner, Dr. Lobkova suggests making sure the running shoes you’re wearing have a wide enough toe box for your toes.
“If the cause is vitamin deficiency, the diet needs to be adjusted accordingly or vitamin B and calcium supplements need to be taken,” Dr. Lobkova says. Some doctors also recommend a biotin supplement. It is important, she says, to regularly check your blood levels for deficiency if you are on any type of restrictive diet. If you notice changes to the integrity of the nail, she recommends seeing a specialist.
Antifungal topical and oral medications can treat fungal infections that are causing brittle nails, Dr. Lobkova says, adding that there’s also a prescription topical nail strengthener that helps support the integrity of the toenail and works well to generally treat brittle nails.
Keep Them Out Of The Water
When it comes to how to strengthen nails, dermatologist, Dr Samer Jaber, says to avoid excessive water exposure, as it can soften your nails. With overhydration, our nail beds expand as water is absorbed, then contract as the moisture evaporates, leaving them noticeably flimsy and prone to peeling. To keep your nails from getting soft, always wear rubber gloves when you wash dishes, and minimise time spent in hot showers and swimming pools.
Give Your Nails Some Love
Cant make it to the nail salon for a manicure? Take matters into your own hands and start caring for your nails at home with these tips:
- Keep em short. Keep your nails on the shorter side to minimize surface area, since thats where water and chemicals can be absorbed.
- File your nails. Do this daily to keep them smooth and help prevent breakage and splitting. File in one direction using a fine emery board.
- Biting is a no-no. Avoid picking or biting your nails or cuticles.
- Buffing. Buff your nails every few days in the same direction as they grow. Dont use a back-and-forth motion. This can make splitting worse.
- Get hard. Apply a nail hardener to strengthen those bad boys.
- No acetone. Use nail polish removers that dont contain acetone.
- Pause the polish. Give your nails a break from polish to allow them to breathe. Constant use of polish can weaken your nails.
- Avoid acrylic and gel nails. If you do glam those nails up, avoid constantly using gel or acrylic nails. These can also weaken nails, and UV light that nail technicians use to dry gel can have a similar effect.
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Recommendations Against Brittle Nails
If youre tired of brittle nails, read our advice. Wash the dishes with gloves and, if possible, no more than once a day: Dish soap and warm water are poison for your hands and nails.
The chemical ingredients and the hot water make the nails soft and brittle. You can first soak the dishes in the sink in hot water with dish soap. This way, leftover food can be removed much easier and faster later.
You should always have latex gloves ready and wear cotton gloves underneath so that the moisture soaks up and the nails are cared for.
- Eat more protein: Both nails and hair are made up of protein. Protein can be found in meat, leafy vegetables, and soy.
- Eat more fatty acids: These are also very important for strong and healthy nails. You can find these in eggs, whole milk, nuts, all vegetables, butter, and linseed oil.
- Fix your nails right away: If your nails break frequently, its best to keep them short. If the nails break, they should be repaired immediately. You can file them and put on a small bandage.
Cut Back On Gel And Acrylic Manicures
They may be touted as an easy alternative for people who have trouble growing their nails, but frequent gel or acrylic manicures can cause your nails to peel, weakening them in the process. These manicures also expose your digits to excessive amounts of acetone in the soak required to remove them, which is very drying to the nail, says Dr. Klein. If you prefer to keep these types of manicures on rotation, make sure to either give your nails time to breathe between applications or save them for special occasions.
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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.
Fortify With Olive Oil Honey And Egg
These three extremely nourishing ingredients together form the ideal means of combating peeling nails.
- Mix a tablespoon of olive oil with a tablespoon of honey and an egg yolk in a bowl.
- Stir until a homogeneous paste is formed and massage each fingernail with this powerful nourishing substance.
- Leave on for half an hour and then rinse well with cold water.
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Soak In Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar possesses various nutrients including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium that nourish and strengthen the nails. The malic acid and acetic acid present in ACV acts as antifungal and antibacterial agents that can help prevent and manage nail infections.
How to use:
Got Thin Peeling Or Cracked Nails Here Are 6 Reasons Why
Getting a manicure is one of the best ways to pamper yourself but if your nails are thin, peeling, and cracked, one of the most enjoyable experiences becomes anything but. After all, nails that arent in tip-top shape arent exactly #ManiMonday worthy. Or, if youre a guy or the naked nail type it can be frustrating, or even embarrassing, to have nails that look so distraught. And youre not alone! According to medical research, nearly 20% of the world population suffers from weak, brittle nails. But why the heck are your nails breaking so easily?
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Treatment For Brittle Toenails
Treatments can either target the nail specifically or address the underlying cause. For example, treating hormonal dysfunction, vitamin and nutritional deficiencies, reducing your exposure to chemical and harsh products, and treating other medical conditions can go a long way in improving the appearance of brittle toenails.
Your doctor may also be able to prescribe you medication or topical creams to treat fungal or other infections that may be contributing to brittle toenails.
It takes up to six months for a new nail to grow, so changes are unfortunately not seen overnight. Dont stress out when you dont see changes right away. Having patience and watching the changes occur slowly is your best tactic. If there are no results after six month, you may need to change up your treatment method.
Brittle Nails Can Be Caused Due To Ageing Dryness Improper Care Polishing Them Too Often Biting Nails
New Delhi: Nails are a very important part of our appearance, and play an important role in the body. Fingernails are a flattened form of claws, something that distinguishes us humans from other mammals and play important roles apart from helping us play the guitar or looking shiny, bright and pretty when painted. The help us grip things, and also open jars and hold items. Nails are made of keratin, a protein.
It is important to take care of your nails and a girl who has ever broken a nail can vouch for that statement. However, some people have really brittle nails that are as thin as paper and can break easily. While you may go to the nail salon and try to keep them very well maintained, brittle nails can be really disappointing and a turn-off, especially after all the money and effort you spend on them. However, there are some home hacks and remedies that you can try to make your nails stronger and avoid the brittle nails.
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Brittle Toenails: Home Remedies
Home remedies can go a long way in aiding the treatment and easing the appearance of unsightly nails. Home remedies for brittle toenails include:
- Always keeping your toenails clean
- Trim your toenails regularly and properly
- Apply a hardener to the toenail to keep it strong
- Make sure you moisturize your toenails to keep them moist. Good moisturizers include coconut oil or almond oil
- If toenails are dry, try soaking them, and apply a moisturizer when done
- Ensure you are eating a diet rich in vitamins and nutrients. If your diet is missing essential vitamins, then consider taking a multivitamin
- Avoid chemicals on your toenails
- Wear fitted shoes, but not too fitted where your toenail becomes crushed or hits the front of the shoe. An ill-fitting shoe causes your toes to bang up against the front of the shoe
- Follow instructions on antifungal creams if prescribed or recommended
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Take A Collagen Or Biotin Supplement
Pay attention to your diet, explains Amy Lin, the founder of sundaysa nail care brand focused on wellness. Your nails are made of proteins and naturally need a lot of vitamins. Specifically, your nails consist of keratin, so its important to make sure youre getting your fill of keratin-building amino acids. Two of the most popular are biotin and collagen, as they tend to be the most effective in supporting nail health.*
First up: Biotin has been shown to support thickness and firmness of nails in several human studies.* One study, in particular, found that those who took biotin supplements had 25% thicker nailbeds than the placebo group.* In terms of collagen, another study showed that when patients took collagen daily for 24 weeks, their nail health was better maintained, including faster growth rates, reduced breakage, and improved appearance.*
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Home Remedies To Strengthen Brittle Nails
In this article:
Everyone desires strong, smooth nails on their fingers and toes. However, various factors can turn the nails brittle and textured.
This condition, medically known as onychoschizia, is categorized by thin, soft or dry, cracking, and splitting nails that can break off easily and have a slow growth rate.
While it is a common symptom of aging, it can often result from health problems such as nutritional deficiencies.
Strengthen From The Inside Out
Along with addressing nails from the outside, all the experts we spoke with agreed that the right supplements can help strengthen your tips from the inside, out. One good option? Collagen. An essential protein for hair, skin, and nails, ingestible collagen peptides are easily incorporated into your daily routine and can help promote healthy nails.
“Collagen has really made a difference in the health of my nails. They feel resilient and stronger,” says Holford. Try: NeoCell Super Collagen Powder. Another good option? Biotin. The B vitamin is one of Tuttle’s top picks for strengthening nails. Choi adds that along with supplements, you can also get these internal benefits by focusing on incorporating biotin-rich and collagen-synthesizing foods in your diet, such as salmon, avocados, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, and nuts and seeds.
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Strengthen Your Nails By Giving Them A Break
“While there’s no scientific evidence that keeping your nails polish-free will make a difference, anecdotally I can tell you that we totally notice a difference in the strength and health of the nails when our clients do take a break,” says Tuttle. Choi and Holford agree all three recommend keeping your nails au naturel for at least a few days after sporting a gel, acrylics, or dip.
If you really need to keep them polished, use a nail strengthener as a base coat, suggests Holford. You can also look for a color that contains strengthening ingredients.
Give The Polish A Rest
Many of us are guilty of trying to making our nail polish last as long as possible, says Choi. We hope to extend the life of our colour with constant touch-ups, then when the chips become too noticeable to bear, we head straight to a salon for a fresh coat. This all makes sense for cosmetic purposes, but having nail polish on your nails for too long greatly damages their strength and overall health, warns Dr Jaber. Even the safest nail polishes can leave your nails brittle, thin and dry if left on for too long. Instead, fully remove your nail polish after five days and allow them the same amount of time to recover before getting them re-painted.
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Attractive Hair And Nails Are A Sign Of Health
Its not just about vanity the appearance of both hair and nails is a barometer of your internal health. No matter what issues you are experiencing, its important to address nutrition first. Include quality protein, healthy fat, and vegetable and fruit carbohydrates at each meal and snack. Reduce processed and sugary food consumption because those foods contribute to nutritional deficiencies that lead to poor hair and nail health. It may be necessary to complement nutritious eating with supplements, depending on your individual needs. Taking these steps will not only give you strong nails and shiny hair, but will assure of you optimal overall health as well.
Learn more about hair and nail health with these free resources:
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When To See A Doctor
Brittle nails are not necessarily a major cause for concern. However, a person may wish to see a doctor if they notice additional accompanying symptoms.
For example, fatigue could be a symptom of iron deficiency or anemia. Weight gain or loss could indicate a thyroid issue.
A person may also want to see a doctor if home remedies to strengthen their nails are not working. They may be able to suggest additional treatments or determine the cause of the brittleness.
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Perform A Lemon Juice And Olive Oil Soak
Olive oil and lemon juice are common natural agents used for various dermatological treatments, including brittle nails.
Olive oil can penetrate the nail cuticles, helping in strengthening and repairing them. Lemon juice can help manage peeling and damaged nails while removing stains and giving them a bright sheen.
How to use:
Take A Closer Look At Your Shampoo
If youre using a shampoo that is drying or aims to strip oils , it might be drying out your nails and causing weak or brittle nails. Try changing up your shampoo for a couple of weeks and see if you notice a difference.
If youve tried multiple things for several weeks and havent noticed any change in your nails, see a dermatologist. They can take a look at your nails and ask you questions about your routine and overall health.
If need be, they can prescribe a prescription-strength nail treatment that can help to strengthen your nails.
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Common Causes Of Brittle Nails
- Low Thyroid Brittle nails are sometimes a sign of a more serious illness. One of the most common causes of brittle and breaking nails is low thyroid, also called hypothyroidism. In hypothyroidism, your body does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone, leading to symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, dry skin, brittle nails, depression, constipation, memory trouble, and irregular periods. People with under-active thyroid often notice soft nail beds, nail ridges, and a lightening or disappearance of the white, crescent-shaped area of the nail base.
- Iron and Vitamin Deficiencies The Standard American Diet and increasingly poor soil quality has resulted in an epidemic of nutritional deficiencies. Iron is an essential mineral and lack of it can result in brittle nails, breaking nails, unusual nail ridging, and sometimes a bluish color to the nail bed. Other nutritional deficiencies that may lead to less-than-perfect nails are vitamin C, D, E, and B.
- Dehydration You may think you drink enough water per day but if youre experiencing brittle nails, excessive thirst, dry mouth, loss of appetite, dark urine, skin flushing, and chills, youre dehydrated. Even if you drink a bunch of soda, fruit juice, and coffee each day, you can still be dehydrated. Your body needs plenty of fresh, pure water to keep your joints lubricated, your hair and nails strong, and your body running smoothly.
Fingernail Health Nutrition For Dry Brittle Nails
Dont give up your good nutrition habits just because youve finished growing big and strong. Healthy eating habits should be practiced throughout every facet of life, no matter how old you are. Your overall health, energy level and even your appearance depend on your quality of nutrition. What you eat affects everything from your hair to your skin to your fingernail health. Take a look at your fingernails are they smooth and perfectly rounded with a healthy pink glow? Or do you have to resort to applying fake nails or slathering on nail polish to cover up your unsightly fingernail problems? If you want healthy fingernails, you have to nourish yourself from the inside-outhealthy nailsFingernail Nutrition – You Are What You EatB-complex vitaminsbiotincalciumfolic acidvitamin Comega-3multivitaminCalcium-rich foodsalmondsflaxseedsvitamin BFlaxseedevening primrose oilFingernail CareQuick Beauty TipsWhat Do Your Nails Say About You?
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