Cracked nails may also occur in individuals who do rough work with their hands. Dehydration may lead to cracked nails. Women of menopausal age may develop damaged nails or nails that break and crack frequently. For individuals who do not keep their skin properly hydrated, dryness may lead to brittle nails that crack easily.
This can be remedied easily by applying some type of moisturizer directly to the nails. Dry fingernails or toenails can be treated with an over-the-counter moisturizer on a daily basis. Alternately, using a dab or two of vegetable oil can help repair dry and cracked nails by replenishing moisture. Chemical ingredients are one of the leading external causes of cracked fingernails. Some typical products that are harmful to your nails when used frequently are nail polish, polish removers, hand sanitizers, and glue adhesives.
Nail polish contains many harmful chemicals that damage and dries out your nails. Nail polish removers that contain acetone are even worse. The level of damage related to nail polish may vary from brand to brand too. You may notice using a particular color causes your nails to peel more than another. Hand sanitizers contain a significant amount of alcohol, which we all know is a drying agent.
Strong soaps and cleaning products will also do the same. Another big cause of nail damage is artificial nails. Many people wear acrylic or gel nails. Think about giving your nails a break every few months to avoid infections and severe damage.
Having your hands in water too often can cause weak and cracked nails also. Wear gloves if you have a job or task, such as washing dishes, that requires you to have your hands in water a lot. Applying moisturizer immediately after getting your hands out of water is an effective way to help your nails along. This regimen includes after washing your hands or taking a shower. They offer concentrated creams that repair extremely dry skin and by the same occasion take good care of your nails.
Your peeling and cracked nails may be a sign of an underlying health problem. Have you noticed body weakness, unexplained weight gain, or joint pain? These are all symptoms of hypothyroidism. Having a combination of these symptoms could mean thyroid problems. The fix: If you have a standing appointment at your nail salon, take a break and let your nails breathe between gel manicures. Switching to traditional nail polish may also help. Finally, keep your nails moisturized between gel manicures by regularly applying lotion or oil to your nails and cuticles.
It can take months for your nails to grow back healthy. No thanks! The fix: Do not, we repeat , do not peel off your nail polish. Try a non-acetone polish remover to take off traditional nail polish without weakening them any further. Cleaning your kitchen and bathroom is a necessary chore, but repeated, prolonged exposure to chemicals found in cleaners as well as soap and water could be weakening your nails, leaving them brittle and prone to splitting.
This will prevent chemicals, soap, and water from touching your nails and skin! Sometimes, breaking nails is caused by a vitamin or nutrient deficiency. Biotin also helps us create the building blocks of protein — fatty acids and amino acids — and activate the metabolism in the roots of our hair and the cells of our nails.
The fix: Another easy solution — add a biotin supplement to your daily vitamin routine. Bacteria normally thrive in warm, wet environment, and these types of nail infections are often picked up from hot tubs, sinks, and household sponges.
Symptoms include painful areas of infection under and around the nail and cuticle; there could also be changes in nail color from blue to purple. Severe bacterial infections could lead to nail loss. These infections are usually treated with topical or oral antibiotics. Just like bacteria, fungi thrive in warm, moist environments.
A fungal nail infection may begin as a white or yellowish spot under the nail tip. As the infection goes deeper, it may lead to nail thickening and crumbling of edges that can cause pain and a slight odor. There are medications for this conditions but it is difficult to treat. Changes in the nail and under the nail could be caused by both toenail and fingernail warts. These warts are difficult to rid and require prolonged treatment because they sit under the nail. Some skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema can as well attack the toenails and make them brittle and susceptible to cracking.
Frequent washing of hands with soap and water dry out nail plates, this could lead to peeling and splitting of nails. It is not a very common cause of splitting of nails but it still does.
Many body changes are brought about by menopause in a woman. One of these important changes includes dry and cracking nails.
This is the reason that in many cases, menopause is taken as an important cause for peeling and splitting of nails. The color of your nails gives a clear indication of your health condition. It is important to check your nails every week to see if they are in healthy condition. Color, shape, and texture of the nails can give you innumerable clues on the state of your health.
Discoloration of nails and brittleness could be caused due to the vitamin deficiency. The body requires the following vitamins for nails; otherwise, it could lead to brittle nails. The following is an insight of various vitamins and the effect their deficiency could cause on nails:. The following are the essential minerals and vitamins, lack of it causes the nail splitting. They include:. Zinc is an important mineral for keeping your body healthy. Zinc deficiency contributes very much towards dry and brittle nails.
To boost the levels of zinc in your body, you should consider consuming seafood, lean meat, and zinc-fortified breakfast cereals. Iron is necessary for the production of red blood cells.
Iron deficiency can cause many health problems, along with the development of concave-shaped and brittle nails. To remedy this condition of iron deficiency, eat more dried fruits, beans, and dark leafy vegetables. Iron is available in red meat, turkey, and eggs. Vitamin C deficiency can result in brittle nails and also lead to slow growth of fingernails. Vitamin C is also essential in the production of collagen, which is a component of hair, skin, and fingernail. Since the body cannot produce vitamin C, it is important to consume foods that are rich in this nutrient, these include citrus fruits and juices, berries, and green vegetables.
Biotin, part of the vitamin B family and also known as vitamin H, is essential for maintaining fingernails. Vitamin B deficiency can lead to dry, brittle nails. Biotin helps B-complex of vitamins work together to maintain strong nails. To avoid this deficiency, it is important to eat liver, carrots, and salmon. Taking care to ensure your diet includes enough all the above-named nutrients will help keep you healthy.
This is therefore reflected in your nails. These vitamins deficiency is not always the cause of splitting nails though. Nail splitting vertically is a characteristic of aging, although not limited to the aged or elderly.
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