Dry brittle nails can be caused by either internal conditions such as vitamin deficiencies or medications or external conditions such as fungal infections. Treatment for dry nails depends solely on the cause and can be done using a variety of topical solutions or oral medications. These treatments can provide nail strength and moisture with proper use and treatment fulfillment. Visit a physician if treatment does not provide improvement within the allotted time frame of approximately 2 weeks.
Step 1
Apply an alpha hydroxy lotion to the nails daily after soaking them in warm water for up to five minutes. This will reintroduce moisture into the snail and heal breakage on a cellular level. Lanolin is also an ideal ingredient when choosing a nail moisturizer.
Step 2
Take 300 mg of iron or 0.3 mg of biotin daily. Deficiencies in both vitamins cause dryness and brittle nails. These vitamins are essential for healthy fingernails and toenails. Taking both supplements is okay but not necessary.
Step 3
Wash your hands with a moisturizing hand wash. Most hand soaps and sanitizers have a drying effect on nails; therefore, opting for moisturizing soaps and sanitizers will reduce dryness.
Step 4
Consume daily recommended servings of calcium. Adults should get three servings of dairy daily, according to the FDA's food pyramid. Drinking milk and orange juice and eating cheeses and yogurts will help you to achieve this goal. Low calcium levels cause brittle, dry nails that are easily broken and discolored.
Step 5
Drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Daily intake of water will keep the nails and nail beds moisturized from the inside out. It will also add minerals and vitamins to the nails for proper nourishment and promote healing. Vitamins and minerals in tap water come from organic and inorganic sources found in rivers, streams and sediment. Bottled waters are filtered of these, and vitamin and minerals are added back into the water to enhance its benefits.
Tips and Warnings
- Wear rubber, cotton-lined gloves when doing housework to avoid further damage to the nails. Fungal infections should be treated with either over-the-counter antifungal creams or prescription creams and oral medications. Dryness will not go away until the fungus is eliminated.
Things You'll Need
- Alpha hydroxy lotion
- Iron supplements
- Biotin supplements
- Moisturizing hand wash
- Milk or other calcium-fortified foods
- Water
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