Brittle nails on the hands are uncomfortable. The reasons depend both on external factors and may indicate the occurrence of health problems. Therefore, at first, you should understand the reason for the unsatisfactory condition of the nails and only after that proceed to actions to solve the problem.
External causes
Some external factors can have a negative effect on the nail plate on the hands, which leads to its thinning and damage:
- Fingernails break - the reason primarily lies in the negative effects of household chemicals, to face with which female representatives have to constantly. Neglect of safety rules is the result of fragility and weakness of the nail plate. Despite the recommendations to wear rubber gloves, which chemical manufacturers constantly indicate on the packaging, not all women follow them.
- Using low-quality products for hand care, which contain harmful components, due to which the nails exfoliate and become thinner. You should be especially careful with the choice of paint cleaners. Acetone can severely harm the nail plate, therefore, frequent use leads to weakening of the nails.
- You should not use a metal file and, moreover, "saw" nails in the direction "back and forth". You need to use a soft file and move the tool in one direction.
- The extension procedure has a very harmful effect on the nails. After removing the extended nails, the relatives look lifeless and weak.
- Microcracks, Occupational injuries also cause fingernail destruction, such as playing certain musical instruments.
- Too dry air or prolonged exposure to cold also adversely affect the condition of the nail plate.
- Long stay in water is one of the reasons for nail breakage, as water weakens keratin fibers.
- Nicotine leads to yellowing of the nail plate and its weakening.
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When fingernails break, the reason lies in various internal failures.
An unhealthy nail condition may indicate one of the following:
- fungal disease;
- weakening of immunity;
- iron deficiency anemia;
- avitaminosis;
- diet abuse;
- malfunctions in the work of internal organs responsible for the distribution of micro- and macroelements in the body;
- lack of water consumption;
- hormonal disorders;
- skin diseases;
- taking antibiotics;
- pregnancy.
Brittle nails in some cases can be hereditary.
Psychological reasons
Some psychological disorders affect the appearance of the nails and lead to their injury:
- the habit of biting nails and cuticles;
- the obsessive habit of tapping with your nails on the table;
- prolonged stress, insomnia, depression weaken the immune system, which immediately affects the health of the nails.
Recommended food and water intake
If fingernails break, the reason may lie in the insufficient amount of water consumed, the deficiency of which reduces the elasticity of the nail plate, making it fragile. As a result, nails exfoliate and break off. Experts recommend drinking up to 2 liters of clean water daily.
The lack of trace elements and vitamins due to an unbalanced diet immediately affects the health of nails and hair, therefore it is necessary to include foods in the daily diet, rich in vitamins A, B, C and group B:
- Liver, paprika, carrots, tomatoes contain vitamin A. Its deficiency leads to a split nail in the middle.
- Cereals and nuts - vitamin B, which protects nails from inflammation.
- Citruses, bell peppers, and sauerkraut contain vitamin C, which produces collagen and prevents stratification.
- Fish, meat, seafood, seeds are sources of phosphorus - a participant in all biochemical processes in the body, it is also a part of bone tissue and nails.
- Liver, meat, soybeans, herbs, nuts, cauliflower prevent iron deficiency, which causes oxygen starvation of nails.
- Poultry, seafood, buckwheat, oatmeal, radish are a source of sulfur, which is a part of protein compounds and B group vitamins.
- Eggs, cottage cheese, beans, cheese are valuable due to their high calcium content, which stimulates nail growth.
Vitamin therapy
The amount of nutrients supplied with food is small. Specially developed complexes of vitamins and dietary supplements, with regular use, can increase the supply of essential vitamins and contribute to the health of nails.
| Name | Characteristics | Manufacturer | the effect | Price |
| Natures bounty | Vitamin B6, biotin, L-cystine, inositol | USA | The effect of this remedy, according to some reviews, is, however, its main purpose is to activate hair growth, therefore, along with hair, hair begins to actively grow and not only on the head. Some expected an expensive remedy to be more effective. | 1400 |
| Solgar | Zn, Cu nitrate, methylsulfonylmethane | USA | It strengthens nails and hair well, helps with deterioration of the condition of nails associated with pregnancy. | 1000 |
| Evalar | Vitamin C, Cu | Russia | Effective vitamins, not cheap but long lasting. They tidy up not only nails, but also skin and hair. | ~ 1000 |
| Doppel herz aktiv | Wheat germ oil, biotin, millet extract, zinc, B6. | Germany | According to reviews, the effect is noticeable within a week after the start of the course. | 500 |
| Special pills MERZ | Retinol, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, pyridoxine, B12, iron, cystine | Germany | Of the shortcomings, a high price is noted, but it is fully justified by the quality of the drug. Skin, hair and skin after taking the product look well-groomed and healthy. | 800 |
| Complives the SHINE | 8 different minerals, 11 essential vitamins, green tea extract | Russia | These vitamins have received many negative reviews. They note that the remedy does not give an effect, although there are those to whom the drug helped to cope with brittle nails. | 400 |
When using any vitamin complex, you must strictly adhere to the recommended dose and first consult a specialist.
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Some professional cosmetic methods of strengthening and improving nails are widespread, which are performed by specialists in salons:
- Applying a special decorative gel to the nails protects the nails from external factors, making them denser, the effect is fixed with a gel manicure.
- Acrylic not only strengthens nails, but also helps to reconstruct damage to the nail plate by filling voids and cracks.
- Sealing nails with beeswax.
Traditional methods
When the cause of the unhealthy condition of the nails has been identified, the necessary consultation with a specialist has been carried out, you can try home treatment with traditional medicine. They give good results in eliminating fragility and delamination of the nail plate. The duration of the baths and hand masks ranges from 15 minutes to half an hour and is recommended to be performed at night.
Nail wax mask
The procedure is recommended to be performed at night.
A piece of wax is melted in a water bath, slightly cooled so as not to burn yourself. In turn, dip the tip of each finger in liquid wax and allow the wax to harden on the nail. Leave it overnight, and in the morning the wax residue is removed.
From clay
Blue clay powder is diluted in warm olive oil and 3-4 drops of iodine are dripped into the composition. The resulting mass is spread on the nail plate and waited for 20 minutes. The mask is done daily for one week.
With salt
Recommended to be done three times a week. Strengthens nails and stimulates blood circulation. It is advisable not to wash your hands for a while after the procedure.
For ½ liter of warm water, dilute 1 tbsp. l. salt (sea or table) and add 2 drops of some medicinal oil: lemon, pine nuts, pine, tea tree, etc. Keep hands in the bath, lightly massaging for about 15 minutes.
Gelatinous
Brew in a glass of boiling water 1 tbsp. gelatin powder. Wait until it cools down and the temperature becomes comfortable for immersing fingers. Duration of immersion in a gelatin bath is up to 30 minutes. Apply every other day.
Healing oils
Before going to bed, medicated oils are rubbed into the nail plate. Sea buckthorn, jojoba, castor, avocado oils are well suited.
It should be rubbed not only into the nail plate, but also into the skin surrounding the nail and cuticle.
Vitamin A bath
Add vitamin A (1 ampoule), lemon juice to warm vegetable oil and stir. Keep your hands in the resulting mixture for a quarter of an hour. To enhance the effect, rub the mixture into the skin around the nail and directly into the nail itself, then put gloves on your hands and leave it overnight.
With green tea and chamomile
Mix in 1/2 tbsp. brewed green tea leaf and dried chamomile flowers (200 ml of boiling water per 1 tablespoon of pharmacy chamomile).
Paraffinic
Usually this procedure is done in the salon, but it is not difficult to do the paraffin wrap yourself.
It has a beneficial effect on the skin of the hands and helps to strengthen nails.
300 g of pharmacy paraffin must be carefully melted in a water bath and slightly cooled. It is advisable to pre-prepare your hands for this procedure by removing the keratinized scales with a scrub and abundantly lubricating with a fat nourishing cream.
The hands should be immersed in liquid paraffin for 10 seconds, then removed and lowered again. The procedure of dipping and pulling is continued up to 7 times, after which they put on plastic gloves or bags on their hands and wrap them with a terry towel to keep warm.
After half an hour, remove the gloves and remove the remaining paraffin with a napkin. Finally, moisturize your hands with a nourishing cream.
Lemon
Dipping your fingertips into a lemon cut in half has a very beneficial effect on the nail plate and also helps to whiten it.
With the help of special procedures, nutrition correction and a responsible approach to your health, you can get rid of brittle nails and enjoy beautiful well-groomed hands. It is only necessary to identify the cause and not regret the time for procedures, the regularity of which will please the achieved result.
Video: why nails break and how to deal with it
Live healthy! 5 reasons for brittle nails:
Why nails exfoliate and break. Causes and treatment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JlEL_Op70c
I make baths of iodine and sea salt, nails are strong and not yellow