Brittle nails can be a cause of worry because they can break and split easily, leaving you with ugly-looking hands. Your nails could be brittle because of dryness, nutritional deficiencies, infections or certain diseases. Whatever the cause, there are ways nails can be made strong and healthy.
Step 1
Cut your nails after a bath. Keep them short, square-shaped and rounded on top, to lessen chances of splitting, suggests MayoClinic.com.
Step 2
Apply moisturizer to your nails and cuticles a number of times during the day, since dryness can cause nails and surrounding areas to weaken. Also, massage moisturizer into your nails at bedtime and wear cotton gloves to prevent moisture from escaping.
Step 3
Take a daily dose of biotin, a vitamin B supplement, to harden weak, peeling and brittle nails. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology suggests taking around 2 to 3 mg of biotin daily. The College also states that biotin takes at least six months to work, and that about 30 percent of the cases show improvement in nail health.
Step 4
Don't let your nails remain wet for too long. Wear rubber gloves to protect your nails and cuticles while doing household chores like washing dishes and clothes, gardening, mopping and scrubbing floors. According to Discovery Health, nails and cuticles get inflamed and weak after being soaked in water. The longer the nails remain in contact with a detergent, the more the chances of damaging the nail and cuticle structure.
Step 5
Apply a nail hardener to strengthen your nails. MayoClinic.com suggests that also applying a thin coat of nail polish may help your nails retain moisture.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizing cream
- Biotin supplements
- Nail hardener
- Nail polish
- Cotton and rubber gloves
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