Brittle Nails | Causes and How to Care For Them
Girls always evaluate their nails for beauty. Since they are young they are pretty much the only body part that can have glitter or bright colours on them and still be considered fashionable! However, being “on trend” typically entails ignoring nail health. Brittle nails simply refer to weak, cracked, chipped, split, or peeled-off nails.
This condition is frequently found in women. Onychoschizia, often known as fingernail splitting, is the name of this phenomenon. Look at the typical signs, causes, therapies, and home treatments for brittle nails.
The Symptoms of Brittle Nails
You may be skilled at clipping, painting, and decorating your finger and toenails, but how frequently do you treat yourself to the nutrition they need? The following are the symptoms of brittle nails:
- Rough/Pitted
- Weak/Dry
- Frayed and ripped
- Discoloured
- Slow in growth, chipped
The Causes of Brittle Nails
- Frequent Nail Biting
Biting your nails makes them break more easily and exposes you to infections, whether you do it out of boredom, nervousness, or focus.
ALSO READ
Nail Care Tips
“Saliva’s digestive enzyme, which is meant to break down food, destroys the cuticles on the skin and nails, making them brittle and fragile. Fungus, yeast, and bacteria can enter through the skin around the nails if the barrier is insufficient, according to dermatologists.”
The Fix
Keep your nails well-trimmed and short to make it harder to really chew on them, advises the dermatologist. To help you break the habit, you can also use a nail treatment that tastes bitter (like this one from ORLY). Identifying your triggers and addressing any anxiety at its root may be a helpful strategy if all else fails.
- Ageing
Your nails’ health changes as you age, and they frequently become brittle and dull. Fingernails typically get thinner, softer, and more brittle whereas toenails typically thicken and harden. There is no certain age when this occurs, but if you take good care of them, you can prevent it.
The Fix
Getting manicures and pedicures occasionally (but not too frequently) may be your best option because they properly file the nails, allowing them to breathe and preventing them from growing into the skin.
ALSO READ
What Are White Spots On Nails and How To Get Rid of Them?
They also maintain the strength of the nails by removing too many dead cells and encouraging skin and nail rejuvenation.
- Low Iron Levels
Low iron levels, or anaemia, may be the cause of concave or sunken nails (like the inside of a spoon). According to dermatologists iron aids in the formation of hemoglobin, a chemical that transports red blood cells packed with new oxygen to your nail matrix. You experience slowed nail growth without it.
The Fix
It’s time to get a blood test and stock up on iron-rich foods like grass-fed beef, spinach, beans and legumes, oysters, and even dark chocolate if you notice depression in your nails.
- Hypothyroidism
Sweating, the body’s natural moisturizer, is controlled by a thyroid hormone. Aches and pains, weariness, dry skin, hair, weight gain, hair loss, constipation, depression, and other cognitive issues could also be present in addition to brittle nails. The illness causes the body to produce either too many or too few hormones, which ultimately inhibits the body’s ability to absorb minerals. The nails typically split free from their beds as a result.
The Fix
Experts advise taking a daily dose of 2.5 mg of biotin to lessen brittleness if your diet does not include items like eggs, sweet potatoes, and almonds.
Although you won’t see effects right away; they will take a few months, and don’t forget to see your doctor before you start taking it. You can also attempt the following:
- Intake of selenium
- Begin taking vitamin B pills.
- Probiotics
- Low-sugar diet
- A diet free of gluten
- Raynaud’s Syndrome
This ailment, which is characterized by circulation issues in the extremities, has an impact on the blood vessels and prevents your hands and feet from receiving enough blood, which has an impact on the health of your nails. Typically, doctors will recommend losartan, fluoxetine, or sildenafil as alternatives to calcium channel blockers like amlodipine or nifedipine.
The Fix
There are several ways to treat brittle nails, including taking nutrients, getting acupuncture to enhance blood flow to the nails, using guided imagery in biofeedback to make hands and feet warmer, deep breathing, and other relaxing techniques.
ALSO READ
Beau’s Lines on Nails | Get Rid Of Fingernail Ridges
Avoid using detergent and abrasive soaps because these are two of the main factors contributing to weak and brittle nails.
- Frequent Mobile Use
Do you know how your nails create a clicking noise when you send emails and texts? Well, you’re hurting more than just your neighbours’ patience. According to a dermatologist, if your nail repeatedly comes into touch with a smartphone screen or keyboard, it may split, fracture, or tear at the edges.
The Fix
Trim or file nails so that just a small amount of the white tip is left (but still below the fleshy top of your finger). This will enable texting and typing using only the pad of your finger.
DIY Remedies for Brittle Nails
- Olive oil and lemon juice soak: This soak will naturally enter the cuticle to strengthen and mend the nails that have been damaged.
- Beer Soak: Beer contains a variety of natural, benevolent minerals that are crucial for healthy nail and hair growth.
- Sea Salt Soak: This method, which softens the nail cuticle and adds a beautiful sheen, is typically employed in spas.
- Coconut oil massage: Coconut oil is a great moisturizer and nutrient for the nails, and it can even stop nail infections in their tracks.
- Apple cider vinegar soak: Who doesn’t keep apple cider vinegar in their pantry for an apple cider vinegar soak? With this simple method, nails are given the minerals they need.
- Vit. E oil massage: Similar to coconut oil, vitamin E oil has moisturizing properties.
- Tea tree oil drops: They treat brittle nails brought on by fungus. Keep in mind that before applying, you must dilute the tea tree oil with carrier oil.
- Lemon juice swipe: Strengthens and brightens the nails by getting rid of the unsightly yellow tint that overuse nail polish leaves behind.
Tip: The majority of these treatments should be tried at night since that is when the body is able to rest and restore itself.
Conclusion
We hope these tips help you replenish the glow and health of your nails.
Filed under: Beauty, Tips and Myths
Leave a Reply