Brittle Nails Causes and Home Remedy Treatments

  Onychoschizia or splitting of the fingernails is usually found in 20 % of the population and mostly women. Brittle nails is a term that applies to fingernails that also peel in a horizontal layers and break off at the free end. Fingernails do not contain any fat there for they can not hold any moisture. Fingernails expand when they get and contract as they dry this can cause them get brittle also the more the expand and contract the weaker they get.

  Thickness and strength of fingernails are inherited breaking or separation of the layers can occur with brittle nails. Some people are genetically predisposed to brittle nails.

  People who work with their hands are more likely to have problems with their nails cracking and drying.

  The most common cause for brittle nails is repeatedly being wet then dry, environmental conditions such as dry/low humidity, cleaning chemicals, tapping your nails on a hard surface, biting/chewing on your nails hormonal changes, age starts taking effect around 65

  Medications such diuretics that you take may be the cause of your brittle nails read the literature that comes with your prescriptions for it’s side effects or talk with your doctor or pharmacist to if the medication may be the cause.

  Very rarely are internal diseases or vitamin deficiencies the cause , if there is a deficiency it’s usually iron

  If the toenails are strong and the fingernails are not the most likely cause is a external problem.

  Long exposure to nail polish may cause nails to become brittle.

Keep your nails trimmed short longer nails are more likely to tear or crack. The best time to trim your nails is when they have been in water and soft that way they are less likely to break

When you file your nails always file around the in a gentle curve never go back and forth with a emery board .Never use a metal file on your fingernails. always use a emery board .

If you buff your nails always buff them in a outward direction-the way the nail grows.

Moisturize your cuticles and then gently push them back DO NOT CUT THEM

If you do wear polish make sure it does not contain acetone and take a break from wearing it for a few days every now and then

　Avoid prolonged exposure to water so wear rubber gloves with a cotton lining if the or two pair cotton/rubber if you are going to be wearing them for any length of time. The cotton will absorb the any perspiration from your hands and prevent the moisture from collecting around the nails

Once your have been wet moisturize them avoiding moisturizers that have perfume and alcohol .Moisturize should contain 5% lactic acid, phospholipids, urea, these are all humectants Petroleum jelly also works well.

Soaking in a baking soda (small amount) and water. This will help clean and disinfect your nails helping to restore them to natural health.

Soaking nails in 1 quart warm water mixed with 1teaspoon salt will help to clean, purify, and get rid of any infection that may be associated with nails. Saltwater works on restoring the nails shape and texture.

Soaking your nails in vegetable oil is better than many other the counter products because they don’t contain any fragrances or alcohol to dry out the nails.

Apply a paste of fresh lemon juice and honey gently rub the mixture in and leave it on the nails.

Use bath capsules break them in warm water and soak nails.

Massaging the finger tips can help improve the blood flow around the nails. The increased circulation will allow the nail to absorb more nutrients which may result in healthier nails. While you are massaging your fingertips this would be a good time to rub moisturizer into your nails.

Put some vegetable or safflower oil into a clean empty nail polish container and then several times a day brush the oil onto your nails including a drop of oil on the underside of the nail.-this great tip came from Trisha Webster, who works for the Wihelmina Modeling Agency in NYC .

Rub baby oil before going to bed it’s light and won’t get all over everything.

The Mayo Clinic recommends applying a nail hardener but avoid the ones that contain acetone, formaldehyde, or toluene sulfonamide.

There are some that say diet plays a part in healthy nails it’sAvoid prolonged exposure to water so wear rubber gloves with a cotton lining if the or two pair cotton/rubber if you are going to be wearing them for any length of time. The cotton will absorb the any perspiration from your hands and prevent the moisture from collecting around the nails.