Thin and weak nails are more prone to cracks and splits in the nail beds. You can use simple household items to make your nails stronger and healthier. Thin and weak nails can be a sign of a nutritional deficiency and you should consult with your doctor if basic home remedies don't seem to work.
Biotin
Biotin, one of the B vitamins, is recommended by the GrannyMed website as a home treatment for stronger nails. The B vitamins help promote skin, hair and nail health. Biotin can be found in food sources, such as whole grain cereals, whole grain breads, beans, vegetables, nuts, brewer's yeast and seeds. If you are concerned about not getting enough biotin from your diet, supplements are available.
Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum jelly is recommended by the Reader's Digest as a way to hydrate the nails. Rub a small amount of petroleum jelly into the cuticles and nail beds in the evening before bed. As an alternative, olive oil or castor oil can be massaged into the area to moisturize the nails.
Diet
A healthy well-rounded diet can be used to make the nails stronger. Eat plenty of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy products. If your diet is low in zinc or iron, you may suffer from weak and brittle nails. Foods high in zinc and iron are broccoli, spinach, kale, chicken, fish, beans, nuts, seeds, eggs, milk, whole grain breads and fortified cereals.
Nail Polish
Nail polish protects your nails from possible damage. Wear a coat of clear nail polish on your nails at all time. If you'd rather have some color, apply a base coat, two color coats and finishing coat. When removing polish, avoid acetone or formaldehyde-based removers since they can be damaging to the nails.
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