Everything from aging to poor nutrition can make your nails dry, thin, and brittle. In addition, specific treatments and medical conditions can cause them to become brittle. But don't worry; proper care can make all the difference in keeping your nails healthy.
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| top 6 ways to take care of nails of |
Causes of brittle nails
Top 9 the causes of brittle nails include:
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| causes of brittle nails |
- Too much moisture: When your nails get wet, they thicken. As they dry, they shrink. If your hands are exposed to a lot of water, especially if you're also using harsh soaps or detergents, this constant change can dry out your nails, leaving them soft and flaky.
- Age: Your nails may dry out and grow slower as you age. Toenails are usually thicker and more complicated, while fingernails are thinner and more fragile. There's no specific age when this happens, and it doesn't happen to everyone, but it can cause your nails to become brittle and brittle.
- Raynaud's syndrome: This condition affects the blood vessels and causes your hands and feet not to get enough blood supply. This makes it harder for your nails to get what they need to stay healthy. Brittle nails are a common symptom of Raynaud's syndrome.
- Low thyroid hormone: Sweat is the body's natural moisturizer. Low thyroid hormone levels, known as "hypothyroidism," reduce the sweat your body produces. The result is drier hair, skin, and nails. Along with brittle nails, you may have other symptoms such as aches and pains, fatigue, weight gain, and memory problems.
- Anemia: Insufficient iron is the most common cause of anemia, or a low red blood cell count. It can happen when you lose too much blood. You can also get it if you don't get enough iron in your diet or don't absorb iron. Anemia can cause your nails to become brittle or curl inward to form a spoon.
- Cancer treatment: Brittle nails can be a side effect of some cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Dry skin and nails are common. They can become thin, break easily, and grow more slowly than usual.
- Insufficient nutrients: Rarely brittle nails mean you're not getting enough vitamins and minerals your body needs. For example, low calcium levels ( hypocalcemia ) can cause scaly skin, dry hair, brittle nails, and muscle cramps.
- Brittle nails can be caused by several factors. According to Healthline, dry and brittle nails are the result of too little moisture. They’re most commonly caused by the repeated washing and drying of fingernails. On the other hand, soft and brittle nails are caused by too much moisture, often a result of overexposure to detergents, household cleaners, and nail polish remover1. Other causes of brittle nails include age, iron deficiency, inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders2.
- If you notice swelling around nails, bleeding nails, darkening of nail or nail separating from skin, it is recommended to see a doctor
Tips to take care of your nails so they don't get brittle and break easily
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| tips to take care of your nails so they do not get brittle and break easily |
Tips to take care of nails so that they do not become brittle and break easily are:
- Wear Gloves: An easy way to protect your nails from too much moisture or harsh chemicals is to wear gloves when you wash dishes or mop. Choose latex gloves with cotton lining, so you'll sweat less.
- Biotin Supplements: Some small studies show that taking a daily dose of biotin can make nails thicker and stronger. High amounts can change specific test results or affect epilepsy medications. Check with your doctor to see if you can use biotin.
- Avoid using artificial nails: Acrylic nails, which technicians glue onto your natural nails, can cause much damage. The nail technician must file the surface down for them to stick, which causes the nail to be thin. The chemicals in the glue make your nails weaker. Avoid this beauty routine if you are dealing with brittle nails.
- Eat more protein: When you get enough protein, it increases the amount of keratin your body makes. Keratin is a protein that helps build hair and nails and strengthens them. To determine how many grams of protein you need a day, multiply your weight by pounds by 0.36.
- Keep nails short: Trim and file your nails regularly to avoid scratching and repair cracks. It would help if you cut them straight with sharp nail clippers or nail scissors. File them into a small curve at the end.
- Protector with nail polish: Some polishes contain nylon fibers that can strengthen your nails and keep them from chipping or splitting. Try applying it once a week but avoid using acetone-based cleaners as they can't work, which can damage your nails.
- Apply lotion: Lotions with alpha-hydroxy acids or lanolin can be helpful for brittle nails caused by dry conditions. Soak nails in water for 5 minutes before painting.
- Don't use your nails as a tool: Do you like using your nails to open soda cans or other containers? Let it rest. Instead, use other objects to do those tasks.
- There are many causes of brittle and brittle nails. Understanding the exact cause helps you to prevent and take care effectively
What are some home remedies for brittle nails?
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| what are some home remedies for brittle nails |
According to Healthline, there are several home remedies that can help improve the problem of brittle nails. Some of these remedies include:
Massage with coconut oil: Coconut oil contains healthy fatty acids that deeply moisturize the nails, strengthening and nourishing weak, brittle nails. Moreover, this oil can act on the nail bed and boost nail growth.
Almond oil: Take 1 teaspoon of almond oil and add some lemon juice to it, mix this well. Apply this mixture on your nails and massage gently for 5 minutes. Leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
Olive oil: Olive oil is rich in vitamin E which helps in moisturizing the nails and cuticles. Warm up some olive oil and massage it into your nails for 5 minutes. Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing it off with warm water.
Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil has antifungal properties that can help prevent nail infections. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and apply it to your nails.
Other remedies include using petroleum jelly, vitamin E oil, and aloe vera gel
What are some foods that can help improve nail health?
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| what are some foods that can help improve nail health |
According to ActiveBeat, foods that contain nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, biotin, folate, protein, calcium, iron, and antioxidants can boost nail health. Some examples of foods that have these nutrients are eggs, grapefruit, salmon, chicken, strawberries, spinach, almonds, nuts, avocados, fruits and vegetables, dark leafy greens like spinach and kale, orange and yellow veggies like sweet potatoes and carrots, lean meats like beef and chicken, fish like salmon and tuna and whole grains like brown rice and quinoa.
Biotin supplements can also help with healthy nails
How much biotin should I take for healthy nails
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| how much biotin should I take for healthy nails |
The recommended daily intake of biotin is 30 micrograms for adults. However, some studies suggest that taking higher doses of biotin supplements may help improve nail health. According to Healthline, taking 2.5 milligrams of biotin per day for several months can help improve nail thickness and reduce splitting.






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