Brittle Nails

There was a time when my fingernails were natuarally long and lovely. Now they’re short, peeling and brittle. I was all ready for the dermotologist to blame aging for this problem too. It seems to be the catch-all answer for many problems now that can only be managed not resolved.

Aging is just one explanation for nails that are so dried out that they chip, split or snap off. Thyroid dysfunction, malnutrician, anemea, vitamin/mineral deficiency, and diseases of the lung, kidney and liver that affect the amount of oxygen in the blood are medical reasons for first seeking a physician’s diagnosis and resolution of the problem.

Water is another culprit. When nails soak, they absorb water and expand 20-25%. When nails are dry, they contract. The more water they’re exposed to, the more they expand and contract, and that weakens them, so if you take long baths or showers, do a lot of swimming or cleaning, particularly with harsh household products, you’ll be prone to brittle nails.

Certain nail polishes, nail polish removers and nail hardeners, particularly those containing formaldehyde, can be drying. Some low grade products actually have the strength of paint strippers.

To prevent brittle nails, avoid exposure to strong detergents or wear gloves when cleaning, and use polish removers no more than once a week. Use a lactic acid moisturizer after hand washing. Keep fingernails short to avoid injury, and use emory boards to trim not metal files as they weaken the nail tip. Never bite or peel nails.

A good diet is critical for healthy nails. Foods that improve nail strength are: milk, liver, salmon, tuna, trout, shrimp and cod liver oil. Rich in biotin, cauliflower, peanuts and lentils thicken nails. B-complex vitamins and minerals including silica, iron, zinc and calcium are also beneficial.

Massage nails with castor or vegetable oil to moisturize and stimulate circulation, and give nails a break from daily use of polishes. Water-based nail products are safer and non-toxic. They hydrate the nail, allow oxygen exchange, and recondition damaged nails.