Every day our nails are exposed to injuries. Detergents, cosmetics and hard objects are just some of the factors that damage their condition. The unsystematic and improperly made manicure as well as natural tendency to break the nails do not help either. Check what are the symptoms, causes and remedies for split and brittle nails.
Symptoms
Brittle nails tend to crush. They are often split at the ends and discoloured. What is more, nail ridges are developed and the edges break and split. Not only weak nails can crush, the problem of brittle nails affects also people with strong nail plates. However, in this case, the nails break on the edges so it is easier to cure.
Causes
Split and brittle nails can be genetically determined. If that’s true in your case, you will need to be very committed in the fight for beautiful nails. A healthy diet, proper care, including nail serums used on regular basis, can improve the condition of your nails.
The struggle with split and brittle nails is easier to win for people whose nails are naturally hard and their condition only occasionally worsens. In such a situation, it is enough to include certain products in the menu and refrain from using detergents such as nail polishes and nail polish removers.
The main reasons for split and brittle nails are:
- a diet low in zinc, iron, silicon and B vitamins,
- no habit of moisturising the hands and nails (especially in the case of moisture, frost and dry air),
- frequent temperature fluctuations,
- long soaking of nails in water,
- use of nail polish remover with acetone,
- performing housework without protective gloves,
- improper filing,
- frequent contact with detergents and chemicals.
Remedies
Proper diet
If the condition of your nails lies in the wrong diet, your new menu should include products rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B9, E and manganese, magnesium, zinc, iron and phosphorus. You should add sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds to dishes or use as a separate snack. It is worth bearing in mind that zinc and iron improve the condition of not only nails, but also skin and hair.
Poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried fruits, especially unsulphured, and cocoa, which is a source of magnesium and iron, will also be recommended. The B vitamins can be found in cereals, eggs and legumes. In addition, choose lean meat or fatty fish and drink at least two litres of water a day. This is important because your nails may break due to dryness. Such a dose of vitamins should improve their condition after just one month.
Proper care
Some women undergo regular manicure treatments in order to keep their nails in good condition. There’s no need for you to visit a salon if you follow a few simple rules. First of all, file your nails from the side of your nail to the centre in one direction only. Second of all, use a glass or ceramic file. What’s more, befriend a nail serum (use it several times a week). Also, try not to soak your nails in the water for too long as it weakens the nail plate.
Proper diet and proper care must go hand in hand; while the first moisturises your nails from the inside, cosmetics will act from the outside. Particularly recommended are moisturising oils and creams in small tubes, which you can take wherever you go.
Protective gloves
When the temperature is low, put on warm gloves that protect your nails from the harmful effects of the weather. During cleaning and washing, wear gloves made of latex or other material that will protect your nails from detergents. If you work with chemicals and caustic substances on a daily basis, do the same.
Split and brittle nails – what diseases do they indicate?
If you eat properly and take care of your nails, and yet they are still split and brittle,it may indicate some disease. The bad condition of the nails may be a symptom of malabsorption or hormonal disorders, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, diabetes and mycosis.
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