TOUGH AS NAILS: THE CURE FOR BRITTLE, CRACKED NAILS
- Elle Nicole
- Sep 17, 2014
- 2 min read
The winter can wreck havoc on nails with harsh weather conditions and dry-as-the-Sub-Saharan-desert air. Throw in kids, dishwashing, typing and other nail-sabotaging behaviors, and you have a brittle, thin nightmare north of your peeling cuticles. I have always been jealous of those people, who have naturally rock hard nails that can withstand even the most abysmal conditions, Polar vortex and all. So, I set out to research the best methods of maintaining healthy nails even in ridiculous sub-zero conditions. Here is what I found:
Causes
According to MedicineNet.com, brittle, soft, dry nails can be due to a variety of causes including serious health issues. Some of these diseases and conditions include anemia, eczema, fungal nails, hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, lichen planus, psoriasis and tuberculosis among others. However, not everyone with brittle nails needs to run to the doctor's office in fear for their lives. Brittle nails can also be due to every day practices, conditions and behaviors such as dishwashing, long-term use of nail polish and remover, low-humidity environments and aging.
Cure
Discovery Health recommends healing nails from the inside out with vitamins. Those with dry, brittle nails often have a lack of zinc and iron, which can often be found in your basic multivitamin. Research also indicates that a vitamin B complex with biotin is linked to improved nail health. In addition to vitamins, biotin can be found in oatmeal, bananas, peanuts and soy, so a change in diet can also be beneficial.
Just as skin and hair need protein, so do nails. Try to consume enough protein to maintain healthy levels of iron. Protein can be found in foods such as red meat, chicken, eggs, beans, soy and nuts.
Sometimes the culprit of brittle nails is simply lack of plain old moisture. A quick solution to this problem is the addition of moisture. Avocado oil, olive oil, vitamin E, shea butter, paraffin wax treatments, egg whites, milk and honey are all known to seal and lock in moisture. After a good moisturizing, try protective hand gloves such as Sephora Collection Spa Gloves for overnight wear.
Interestingly enough, gloves can be used for more than moisture locking. They can also provide protection against too much moisture and water exposure, which can leave nails weakened and soft. Try using rubber gloves the next time you wash the dishes, clean the bathroom, tend to the garden or any other activity that requires long periods of time in water.
Finally, as much as we all love a great manicure, sometimes harsh polishes, acrylic and gel nails and acetone nail removers can tremendously weaken the nail bed and rob nails of oxygen. Try taking a vacation from nail color and manicures while applying much-needed moisture. Moisture treatments can work more effectively with direct access to your nails. And if you absolutely cannot go a day without nail polish, try fortifying nail polish, which works to harden and strengthen nails.
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