If your nails break and crumble at the corners, your fingernails are brittle. Brittle fingernails are more likely to break than healthy nails, and may split in the middle. In most cases, brittle nails are no cause for concern, says the Mayo Clinic. If you notice a yellow color, curling nails, white nails, small pits in the nail's surface, indentations across the fingernails or separation from the nail bed, consult a doctor.
Moisturize
Moisturizing the cuticles and nails several times a day will help your fingernails absorb moisture and stay strong and smooth, says the Mayo Clinic. Each time you wash your hands, apply more moisturizer to your nails and cuticles. Before bed, coat your fingernails in lotion, then apply cotton gloves to your hands. Overnight, your nails and cuticles will absorb the moisture from the lotion and make nails stronger.
Cooking Oil
Herbert Luscombe, M.D., professor emeritus of dermatology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia recommends coating the nails with cooking oil to add moisture and shine to brittle nails. Pour a small amount of cooking oil into an empty nail polish bottle, then carefully brush each nail completely with cooking oil. Repeat several times a day to keep nails strong. Vegetable oil may be more effective than store-bought nail strengtheners because it contains no alcohol, says Dr. Luscombe.
Fingertip Massage
Massaging the fingertips helps stimulate blood flow around the nails, says hand model, Trisha Webster of the Wilhelmina Modeling Agency in New York City. Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to your fingertips, then carefully massage each finger. Repeat three or four times a day to strengthen brittle nails, recommends Webster.
Biotin
Taking biotin supplements may help nails grow harder and stronger, according to Richard K. Scher, M.D., Professor of Dermatology and Head of the Nail Section at Columbia University. Biotin supplements are available at drugstores and health food stores. The Mayo Clinic suggests taking 2.5 milligrams of biotin each day to help strengthen brittle nails. If you don't notice a difference in your nails right away, don't be discouraged. Biotin strengthens nails at the base, so the new fingernail that grows in will be thicker and less brittle.
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