The purpose of nails is to protect the tips of your fingers. They are exposed to all the elements, soap, chemicals and anything else you touch. During the winter months, heaters dry out the air, which in turn causes the nails to dry out and crack. Because the nails expand when wet and contract when dry, summertime water sports may make weaken the nails. Washing your hands, washing dishes and other daily activities exacerbate the problem. You can use home remedies to help moisturize and strengthen your nails.
Olive Oil Soak
Olive oil can penetrate the cuticles, and it provides a protective coating on the surface of the nails to protect them from cracking. Soaking your nails maximizes the penetration. Pour approximately 1 inch of oil into a small bowl or custard cup. Immerse your fingertips, all the way to the nail beds into the oil. Allow them to soak for approximately 15 minutes. When you wash off the oil, use a mild soap on the fingers, being careful to avoid getting it on the nails. Rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize the hands.
Vegetable Oil Massage
You can use canola or safflower oil to soften the skin around the nail, keeping it from drying and tearing. The nails are less likely to break or split if they are kept moisturized. Place a drop of vegetable oil on each fingernail and massage it into the nail, under the nail and around the cuticle. Use a cuticle tool or orange stick to gently push the cuticles back. Repeat the steps three or four times a day, until the nails become less brittle. After they are back to normal, continue massaging vegetable oil into your nails daily or every other day.
Cotton Gloves and Cotton Balls
Leaving an oil treatment on all night gives it time to soak deeper into the nail and cuticle, which will help keep the nails looking healthy longer. Tear five cotton balls in half to make 10. Saturate five pieces of cotton with olive oil or vegetable oil and place one over each fingernail. Tape the cotton to the fingertips then repeat on the other hand, until all 10 fingers have oil soaked cotton taped to them. Cover your hands with cotton gloves and leave on as long as possible. A good time to do this is at night, so the oil can work while you're sleeping. After a few nights of doing this, your nails should appear much healthier.
Moisturizers
Hand soaps and detergents are drying to the skin, so moisturizing your hands immediately after washing them will help them stay soft, and your nails will have the added protection. Moisturize your hands every time you wash them. Keep a bottle of hand lotion by every sink and on your nightstand. Make sure you cover each fingernail and rub the lotion into the cuticle.
Nutrition and Supplements
Because the fingernails receive all their nutrition from what you eat, consider increasing foods and supplements that give them what they need to thrive. Keratin, the protein found in the nails, needs to be nourished by a healthy diet. Include vitamins A, B, C, D, zinc, iron, protein and calcium. Foods that are good for the nails include fish, broccoli, kale, whole grains and most low fat dairy products. Drink plenty of water for all parts of the body to stay hydrated.
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