Your nails crack, peel and break easily, leaving you with pain and the desire to wear gloves year round. These are common problems associated with weak nails. Chemicals, soaps and harsh weather conditions play a major role in the strength of your nails, while proper nail care is also an essential part of preventing this damage. When weak nails become apparent there are natural remedies that can restore strength and shine. Always consult a physician before starting any natural or home remedies for brittle nails as this may be a sign of a serious condition.
Step 1
Consume a 300 microgram biotin supplement once per day. Biotin is a B vitamin that has been shown to increase nail strength, according to CareFair.com. Biotin supplements are available for purchase at many health food stores.
Step 2
Soak your nails in olive oil every other day for up to five minutes, suggests the Daily Glow website. Olive oil penetrates your skin and nails, providing deep moisture to relieve cracking and promote healing. As your nails heal, they harden and become healthier, restoring shine and resilience.
Step 3
Eat plenty of iron, zinc and protein rich foods daily. According to CareFair.com, these minerals are responsible for nail and hair health and strength. Foods such as green leafy vegetables, lean meats and milk provide you with these essential minerals. You may take supplements, however follow dosing instructions carefully as zinc and iron are toxic in high doses.
Step 4
Brew a tea with nettle and oat straw to strengthen brittle weak nails. According to CareFair.com, nettle and oat straw are herbs that are helpful in restoring strength to your nails through ingestion. They contain calcuim, silica and iron essential to nail health and are found in many health food stores.
Step 5
Trim and file your nails, don't bite. Biting your nails causes them to weaken and break easily. According to Daily Glow, biting your nails also introduces harmful bacteria, that can cause fungal infection in your nail bed. Trim your nails with nail scissors and file away rough edges to help strengthen your nails and prevent infection.
Things You'll Need
- Biotin supplements
- Olive oil
- Nettle
- Oat straw
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