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From a young age, girls have always checked carefully whether their nails look beautiful because they are pretty much the only part of the body that can be covered in glitter or bright colors and still be considered stylish! But being on trend most of the time means neglecting nail health. Brittle nails, a common condition that occurs mostly in women, simply means weak, cracked, chipped, split, or peeled nails. This phenomenon is called onychoschizia, or splitting of the fingernails. Find out about the most common symptoms, causes, treatments, and home remedies for brittle nails.
1. Symptoms related to brittle nails
2. Causes of brittle nails
3. Home remedies for brittle nails
4. Brittle nails: frequently asked questions
Symptoms related to brittle nails
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Like most people, you might be good at trimming, painting, or decorating your fingers and toenails, but how often do you indulge in the food they need? the Signs of brittle nails it may be that they are:
- Rough
- Cored
- Weak
- Dry
- Frayed and torn
- Discolored
- Chipped
- Slowly growing
Nails, skin, hair, sweat and sebum glands are part of the integumentary system, which prevents excessive loss of moisture in the body and helps it regulate body temperature. But if brittle nails aren’t just about your nails, it can lead to:
- Hair loss
- Nails begin to fall off
- Experiencing mood swings
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Top: So, if you notice any of the above symptoms, it is time to see your dermatologist soon.
Causes of Brittle Nails
Too much moisture: When your nails are in the water they swell and when they dry out they shrink. Likewise, this constant change dries out your nails completely, making them soft and removable. This can also be due to the use of excessive moisturizer on the hands or the use of harsh chemicals such as: Acetone found in nail polish remover.
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The repair: Use a nail straightener / hardener. It works as a protective, flexible film that the Strength of the nail At the same time, vitamins, minerals and nutrients are added to the nail plate and cuticle to promote growth. If your main goal is Growing nails, we recommend using a nail hardener.
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Too little moisture: Funnily enough, too little moisturizer can have negative effects on your nails too! When nails are hard, dry, and brittle it usually means a lack of moisture. This is usually seen in hot weather or during the winter months (a lack of moisture also leads to dandruff). This is also seen when the person excessively wets or dries the nails from activities such as hand washing, swimming, or washing dishes, which removes the moisture from the nails!
The repair: You may want to use a moisturizer that contains lanolin or alpha hydroxy acids for your hands and nails. Also, buy a lanolin-rich nail conditioner. You should include this in your day or night care routine. Wet your hands thoroughly, especially your nails, every time you wash them.
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Age: As you age, the health of your nails changes and they often become dull and brittle. While toenails usually get thicker and harder, fingernails get thinner, softer and more brittle. Although there isn’t a specific age this happens when you do proper care, you can avoid this.
The repair: Mani Pedi Every now and then (not too often) your solution might be because they file the nails properly to give them enough air to breathe and not let them grow into the skin, they also keep their firmness by removing excess dead cells and promote skin and nail rejuvenation.
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Iron deficiency: Do you have Shaped nails like the inside of a spoon? These concave or indented nails are usually caused by low iron levels in the body or anemia. Hemoglobin, a molecule that converts red blood cells loaded with fresh oxygen to improve the condition of your nail matrix, is made from iron. Without it, you will be stunted Nail growth.
The repair: Beans, leafy green vegetables, dried fruits, iron fortified cereals, loaves of bread, and peas are some iron-rich foods that should be added to your daily diet. That said, your doctor will prescribe iron supplements for you if you regularly experience fatigue, chest pain, or extremely cold hands and feet.
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Hypothyroidism: A thyroid hormone regulates the body’s sweat, the body’s natural moisturizer. In addition to brittle nails, symptoms can include pain, fatigue, drier hair, skin and nails, weight gain, hair loss, constipation, depression, and other memory problems. The condition causes a person’s body to produce too many or too few hormones, which eventually affects the body’s absorption of minerals. As a result, the nails usually split off from their beds.
The repair: If your diet is missing foods like eggs, sweet potatoes, and almonds, experts recommend a daily dose of 2.5 mg biotin to reduce brittleness. However, keep in mind that you will not see instant results, however it will take several months and do not forget to see your doctor before you start taking it. Below are some other things you can try:
- Selenium consumption
- Start with vitamin B supplements
- Probiotics
- Sugar-free diet
- Gluten free diet
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Raynaud’s Syndrome: This condition, characterized by poor blood flow in the extremities, affects the blood vessels and prevents your hands and feet from getting adequate blood flow, which in turn affects nail health. Doctors usually prescribe calcium channel blockers like amlodipine or nifedipine, or alternatives like losartan, fluoxetine, or sildenafil.
The repair: There are many solutions to repair brittle nails such as nutritional supplements, acupuncture to improve blood flow to the nails, and biofeedback which is guided imagery to raise the temperature of the hands and feet, deep breathing, and other relaxation exercises.
Top: Avoid the use of detergents and harsh soaps as these are a major cause of being brittle as well unhealthy nails.
Home remedies for brittle nails
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- Soak lemon juice and olive oil: This soak naturally penetrates the cuticle to repair and strengthen the skin damaged nails.
- Beer bath: Beer has many natural, friendly minerals that are good for strong nail and hair growth.
- Sea salt bath: This is a technique commonly used in spas as it softens the cuticle and gives it a brilliant shine.
- Coconut oil massage: Coconut oil is an excellent nourishing and moisturizer for the nails and even prevents all types of nail infections.
- Apple cider vinegar bath: Who doesn’t have apple cider vinegar in the pantry? This inexpensive technique supplies the nails with the minerals they need.
- Vitamin E oil massage: Like coconut oil, vitamin E oil acts as a moisturizer.
- Tea tree oil drops: It heals brittle nails caused by fungal infections. Note that you need to dilute the tea tree oil with a carrier oil before applying it.
- Lemon Juice Swipe: Strengthening and lightening the nails by removing the ugly yellow stain left by excessive nail color.
Top: Most of these remedies should be tried at night as this is the time when the body can rejuvenate and repair itself.
Brittle nails: frequently asked questions
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Q. Is disinfectant bad for the nails?
A. Just like hand washing, frequent use of disinfectant causes brittle nails due to its high concentration of drying alcohol. So to protect yourself and your nails, try to avoid the area around your nails until you can wash your hands properly or opt for non-alcoholic disinfectants.
Q. Does nail polish make nails brittle?
A. Almost all nail polishes contain drying ingredients that draw moisture out of the nail plate and weaken it. We recommend removing the varnish after five days before the formulas are removed down to the nail bed. Then give the nails a few days off before hitting the color again. Unfortunately, even nail polish removers loaded with acetone are bad for the nails.
Also read: How to care for brittle nails at home
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