Violation of the strength and integrity of the nail plates associated with exposure to external and internal factors. Brittle nails often break off, peel, crack, and present difficulties in growing and applying decorative varnish in a high-quality manner. To find out the causes of brittle nails, it is necessary to exclude chronic diseases, deficiency of vitamins and microelements in the body, and fungal diseases. Treatment for brittle nails involves eliminating etiological factors, carrying out therapeutic baths, paraffin therapy, strengthening nails, using nourishing creams for nail care, etc.
General information
Brittle nails are a defect of the nail plates associated with their weakness and increased fragility. The nail plates on the hands and feet originate from the matrix area located at the base of the nail. The white, crescent-shaped area of the nail root, the lunula, is the visible part of the nail matrix. Nail growth occurs due to the division of germ cells in the matrix, which gradually push the old nail plate forward. The structure, shape, thickness and growth rate of the nail depend on the condition of the matrix. The basic substance of the nail plate is keratin, and the hardness and density of the nail plate depends on the amount of cysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid. Between the layers of keratin there are layers of water and fat, giving the nails shine and elasticity. In healthy nails, in addition to sulfur, there are other microelements - calcium, phosphorus, chromium, zinc, selenium, the deficiency or absence of which negatively affects the condition of the nail plates, making them brittle and flaking.
Causes of brittle nails
Nails can become brittle for external and internal reasons. Nails have a porous structure and easily absorb moisture and various chemicals that your hands come into contact with. Therefore, brittle nails occur in people who, due to their professional activities, come into contact with solvents, acids, alkalis and other aggressive substances. In addition, brittleness and splitting of nails can occur due to frequent contact with household chemicals ( washing powders, detergents and cleaners), prolonged exposure of hands to water, etc. These weaken the nails physical factors, such as low ambient temperature in the winter season, dry indoor air. As a result of chronic hypothermia and drying out, nails become thin and brittle.
A common cause of increased fragility of nails is poor care: improper cutting of nails, the habit of biting nails with teeth. Frequent nail extensions, the use of cheap varnish and nail polish remover leads to the fact that harmful components (acetone, formaldehyde, etc.) penetrate deep into the nail, disrupting its structure and making it more vulnerable. In addition, mechanical stress from the outside can lead to cracking of the nail.
The problem of brittle nails may be associated with endogenous factors, among which the leading role is played by a deficiency of microelements and vitamins. The condition of the nail plate is especially adversely affected by a lack of vitamins A, D, E, calcium, selenium, silicon, zinc, and iron. Brittle nails may increase during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This is understandable - at this time the female body “shares” its resources with the baby’s body, so it is extremely important that food ration Mom’s food was of high quality and complete in composition. In addition, increased fragility of nails can be observed during hormonal changes - during puberty and menopause. The cause of brittle nails can be thyrotoxicosis, diabetes, anemia, gastrointestinal diseases, and stress.
Characteristics of brittle nails
The problem of brittle nails is familiar to many women firsthand. In this case, the free edge of the nail often breaks off along its entire thickness or delaminates, i.e., the damage concerns its upper (shiny) layer. At the same time, the nail plates are thin and grow slowly. Increased brittleness of nails does not allow a woman to enjoy beautiful, long natural nails. Often, brittle nails are combined with deformation of their surface, changes in color and shape.
Splitting of nails in the longitudinal direction (onychoclasia, onychorrhexis) often leads to a painful crease in the nail plate. Vertical cracks originate from the free edge of the nail and extend to varying distances in the proximal direction. In this case, as a rule, the lesion concerns individual nails of the fingers or toes. With onychoschisis, the nails split in the transverse direction. This problem can occur with a poorly executed manicure, playing stringed instruments, typing, etc.
In dermatology, brittle nails are considered a manifestation of onychodystrophy, requiring identification of the causes and proper treatment. With the problem of brittle nails, a woman can turn to a nail service specialist, but it would be better to first visit a dermatologist. Only a medical specialist can properly understand the severity of the problem. Taking into account the rate of nail growth (1-2 mm per week on the hands, 0.25-1 mm per week on the feet), we can calculate the approximate time of exposure to the pathological factor.
To find out the true causes of brittle nails, additional consultation with a mycologist, endocrinologist, or gastroenterologist may be required. In order to obtain objective data, the patient may be prescribed a spectral analysis for trace elements, scrapings from the nail plates for pathogenic fungi, a blood test for thyroid hormones, and others. necessary tests. Brittle nails should be distinguished from onychomycosis, changes in nails due to skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema, lichen planus, congenital epidermolysis, etc.).
Treatment of brittle nails
A competent approach to treatment should begin with eliminating the underlying cause of brittle nails. In all cases, it will be useful to temporarily avoid contact with chemicals and coating your nails with decorative varnishes; enhance nail protection and care. Useful home remedies for brittle nails include warm hand baths (oil, salt) - this will help replenish the deficiency of nutrients in the nails. Daily remedy For the care of brittle nails, nourishing creams and balms with keratin, vitamins, and proteins should be applied to the cuticle area, since in this place the nail is most susceptible to the supply of nutrients. However, nutrition of nails should be carried out not only from the outside, but also from the inside. That is why, if you have a problem with brittle nails, you need to take care of changing your diet, including foods rich in vitamins A, C, E, B5, etc., as well as taking additional vitamin and mineral complexes.
When manicuring brittle nails, you must adhere to certain rules. Nails should only be cut with sharp scissors; It is recommended to avoid using cutters, which put too much pressure on the plate, causing it to delaminate and become brittle. For filing brittle nails, glass or ceramic files with fine grain are better suited, as they do not damage the fragile nail plate so much. In this case, filing movements should be made in one direction, with a large amplitude, from the edge to the center. Before applying colored varnish, nails must be coated with a special protective and strengthening agent as a base. All products used for manicure procedures should not contain substances harmful to the nail plate.
Specialized care for brittle nails can be carried out in a nail studio at a beauty salon. For brittle nails, spa manicure and Japanese manicure procedures, paraffin therapy, and masks for hands and nails are recommended. Therapeutic massage of the nail plate and cuticle area using a keratin complex, polishing the nails using fortified creams or oils, and sealing the nails are useful. To strengthen natural nails on the hands and feet, acrylic, gel, and biogel are used. If a crack occurs in the nail plate, the nail is repaired using silk or fiberglass. As the plate grows, the damage site is gradually cut off.
Every third woman is dissatisfied with the condition of her nail plates. Sometimes they become brittle, peel and crumble. Let's look at why fingernails peel, what are the reasons and how to cure it at home.
Peeling nails indicate problems in the body
The main cause of fragility is exposure harmful substances. If you constantly neglect to wear gloves while cleaning and washing dishes, you may notice a deterioration in the condition of your fingernails.
When doing household chores, do not forget to wear household gloves.
Working at a computer and with papers, using nails as a screwdriver lead to injuries to the nail plates, drying out and brittleness.
Improper filing or extension, mechanical damage - all this has a bad effect on the strength of the nails. It will take a long time to treat and restore them.
Internal factors
An unbalanced diet, vitamin deficiency, and some chronic diseases also cause flaking. Fingernails peel and break due to a lack of vitamins A, E, C, calcium and iron deficiency.
Causes of delamination:
- diabetes;
- initial stage of fungal diseases;
- sudden change in climatic conditions;
- problems with hormonal levels, endocrine diseases;
- constant stress and overwork, bad habits.
Your doctor will help you determine the cause of your nail problems.
It is possible to find out exactly what is missing in the body only after a complete medical examination. This will help not only restore the beauty of your hands, but also cure serious diseases in time.
Basic rules of care
What to do if increased fragility appears? It is necessary to reduce the destructive impact of external factors. Do all housework only with gloves, especially if you have to come into contact with strong chemicals and metal sponges.
If you constantly do your manicure incorrectly, your nails become brittle. The cause of destruction can be metal nail files; it is better to replace them with glass ones. Sawing when your hands are wet or damp is strictly prohibited.
If your fingernails are very peeling, then acetone-based nail polish remover is absolutely not suitable. Weakened nails should not be given square shape– it is better to file them in the form of an oval.
Acrylic extensions and shellac coating have a negative effect. When fragility or crumbling appears, such procedures are strictly contraindicated.
Why do children's nails peel?
The cause of peeling nails in children can be hormonal changes, bad habits, and poor diet.
Children often bite their nails due to anxiety or stress, which leads to a worsening of their condition. The mother’s task is to identify and eliminate the cause of the bad psycho-emotional state child.
A baby’s nail plates may peel off after mechanical trauma or damage to the finger. The problem will disappear as the new plate grows.
Sometimes mothers face the problem of peeling nails in children
Vitamin deficiency is the main cause of peeling of the nail plates on the hands from the cuticle itself; it often occurs during the period of active growth. Your child’s diet should include more foods containing calcium, iron, and ascorbic acid.
If the nail not only peels, but also changes color and shape, this indicates a fungal infection. It is impossible to get rid of the fungus on your own; you need to see a doctor; long-term treatment will be required.
If a child develops lamination for a long time and constantly, and the problem cannot be eliminated, it is better to undergo a medical examination. Fragility may indicate anemia, problems with the adrenal glands, or metabolic disorders.
Proper nutrition
You need to treat layered nails from the inside first. The diet should be reconsidered. To accurately determine the cause, you need to get tested. But there are some general recommendations, which will help get rid of increased fragility.
To treat lamination, it is necessary to review the diet
| Necessary substances | What products contain |
| Calcium | Fermented milk products, low-fat cottage cheese and hard cheese. |
| Vitamin D | The diet should include fish, cabbage, and nuts. |
| Silicon | Boiled green beans, parsley, lettuce, bananas, currants. |
| Iron | Yolks chicken eggs, lentils, red meat, buckwheat, liver, pomegranate. |
| Zinc | Seafood, seaweed, tomatoes, ginger, oranges, blueberries. |
| Chromium | Dates, seeds, plums, cherries. |
Home Recipes
To treat increased fragility and eliminate the underlying causes of the disease, it is necessary to perform strengthening cosmetic procedures.
Green tea bath
Mix 50 ml of vegetable oil and 200 ml of green tea. Do a hand bath before bed for 7 minutes. After this, thoroughly rub the moisturizer into each nail.
There are many recipes for hand baths. Choose any one and pamper your nails and hand skin
You can store the prepared liquid in the refrigerator for three days.
Oil wrap
Mix 20 ml olive oil with an ampoule of liquid vitamin A, add a few drops of lemon juice. Rub the mixture into the nail plates with massage movements, starting from thumb. After this, wrap your hands with polyethylene film and put on gloves. Keep the mask on for at least two hours. The procedure must be repeated every 5 days.
Sea salt
One of the most effective means for treating laminated plates. It is necessary to dissolve 15 g of natural sea salt without dyes in 350 ml of warm water. Immerse your hands in the bath for 20 minutes, then wash your hands with warm water and apply moisturizer to each nail. The procedure must be done daily for 14 days. You should not get carried away with water procedures, since excessive humidity is a common cause of increased fragility.
During treatment, we must not forget about the cuticle - each nail should be lubricated daily with liquid vitamins A, E.
It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of why fingernails peel and break. To completely eliminate the problem, you need to undergo a medical examination, review your diet, get rid of bad habits. Often the reason lies in improper care, using low-quality varnish and metal files.
Solution: the nail plate consists of keratin - fibrillar proteins, the synthesis of which requires the amino acids glycine, cysteine, alanine, found in meat and poultry, eggs and sea fish.
Increase these foods in your diet. The following minerals will also help improve the condition of your nails.
Calcium. This element is necessary for the formation of bone and connective tissue, it is part of the nucleus and membranes of cells, it is involved in the processes of excitability of nerve fibers, and affects the processes of muscle contraction.
His sources- cheese, cottage cheese and other fermented milk products, egg whites, there is also a lot of it in sesame seeds, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower and white cabbage, legumes, nuts and figs.
Magnesium. It is involved in the production of DNA, enzyme and hormonal metabolism, play t plays an important role in neuromuscular regulation and is responsible for the health of the cardiovascular system.
His sources- whole wheat grains, oatmeal and buckwheat, brown rice, rye bread, beans and soybeans, bananas, nuts, spinach.
Sulfur. This element is an integral part of all protein compounds in the body, and is also part of the B vitamins - thiamine and biotin. Sulfur takes part in the synthesis of keratin, collagen fibers, in the formation of connective and bone tissue, and is involved in the processes of hematopoiesis.
Her sources- meat and poultry, seafood, oatmeal and buckwheat, onions, garlic, legumes, radishes, radishes, bread, milk, eggs, cheese.
Silicon. This element is part of connective tissue, cartilage, blood vessel walls, hair, nails, bone tissue, and tooth enamel.His sources- turnips, radishes, radishes, carrots, young nettles, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms.
Phosphorus participates in almost all biochemical reactions occurring in the body; it is part of nails and bone tissue.
His sources- meat, poultry, eggs, fish and seafood, unrefined grains, seeds, nuts.
The lack of these elements, as well as vitamins responsible for the health of nails such as A, B1, B3, B5, C, D, E, is also helped by specialized vitamin-mineral complexes. Look for them under the tag: “to improve the condition of skin, hair and nails.” As a rule, they also include gelatin. The latter, by the way, can also be obtained from such wonderful dishes as jelly, aspic, khashi, jellied meat.
Reason 2: health problems
Solution: l thin, peeling nails primarily indicate a violation of metabolic processes in the body, due to which it does not receive enough proteins and other substances necessary for the formation of a healthy nail plate. Delamination of nails often begins after inflammatory diseases, especially if they were treated with antibiotics.
It is also a sign of disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and a number of endocrine diseases. Weakness of the nail plate can also indicate a decrease in immunity, exhaustion of the body due to overwork, and stress. So this problem may well be a reason to contact a doctor who will prescribe the necessary examination.
Reason 3: frequent contact with detergents.
- learn to do any housework related to detergents and other aggressive compounds in rubber gloves;
- After washing, cleaning, washing dishes, taking a bath or shower, wash and dry your hands and apply to nails nourishing cream or vegetable oil;
- twice a day, morning and evening, massage the periungual area with special cuticle oil;
- Warm baths with sea or simple table salt (1 tablespoon of salt per 0.5 liter of water) will help strengthen your nails. Do them twice a week for 20 minutes.
Reason 4: improper nail treatment.
- when splitting nails, use glass files rather than metal ones;
- file the nail, holding the file strictly perpendicular to the nail plate;
- a split nail should be filed from the sides to the center and from top to bottom;
- choose a file with a fine abrasive coating;
- Never sand peeling nails. This can lead to them breaking off.
Update: October 2018
A person’s hands can tell a lot about both the neatness and health of their owner: reading the skin, smooth, pinkish nail plates are aesthetically attractive and endearing to the person.
Brittle, peeling nails give the hands the appearance of untidiness and unkemptness, forming a certain complex and depriving one of self-confidence. Not everyone knows that often this situation is not only a cosmetic problem, but, perhaps, evidence of some abnormalities in the condition of the body.
Layering of nails is a form of dystrophic change in the homogeneity of the structure of the nail plate with thinning and splitting into separate scales. Distinctive features: increased fragility, dullness, brittleness, dryness, roughness of the plate surface, slow growth. In medical terminology, this condition, when nails peel and break, is referred to as onychodystrophy.
Peeling, brittle nails - causes of the symptom
To understand why nails peel, you should know the structure of the nail. The nail plate consists of thin horny plates tightly pressed together, keratin, which is responsible for density, and layers of water, giving the nail elasticity and a healthy shine. The plates contain many microelements - calcium, sulfur, chromium, zinc, etc. The growth of the nail plate occurs when the germ cells divide in the matrix - the light part of the base of the nail in the shape of a crescent. The nail plate grows towards the free edge of the nail, pushing old cells forward.
When exposed to a number of factors, tiny cracks and gaps form between the stratum corneum, which subsequently form a cavity that delaminates the plate.
External reasons
Aggressive effects of chemicals and environmental factors leading to dehydration of the nail plate:
- When nails peel, the reason may be contact with household and industrial chemicals, alkali, hot water without using gloves (see also.
- Using formaldehyde-containing nail polishes.
- The use of acetone-containing solvents for removing varnish and diluting thickened varnish.
- Nail extension.
- Violation of the technique of removing artificial nails.
- Chronic hypothermia and exposure to dry air.
Mechanical damage to the nail plate:
- Incorrect manicure and pedicure technique.
- Nail injury associated with professional activity: musicians, PC operators, guitarists, etc.
- Bruises, compression of the nail.
Internal reasons
- Unbalanced diet with a deficiency of protein, vitamins A, E, D, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, selenium. A common cause of this condition in a child.
- Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, endocrine system, biliary tract, in which the metabolism of minerals is disrupted, as well as the distribution of micro- and macroelements in the body.
- : Iron deficiency negatively affects the condition of nails.
- Skin diseases and pathologies in which the skin is affected, since nails are a derivative of the skin, they are susceptible to pathological changes in these conditions:
- Congenital epidermolysis;
- Dermatomycoses – .
- Hormonal changes during puberty and menopause, when there is an excess or deficiency of certain hormones.
- Pregnancy – minerals supplied with food are also used by the developing fetus, and in case of mineral nutritional deficiency, the fetus takes them from the reserves of the mother’s body.
- Heavy metal intoxication, drugs that replace the normal mineral composition of the nail plate.
Psychological causes and psychogenic pathologies
- The bad habit of biting your nails, tapping your nails on a hard surface, etc.
- Onychophagia is obsessive, uncontrollable nail biting.
- Onychotillomania– a pathology consisting in the patient’s desire to destroy his nails with any instrument or his own nails.
- Stress, depression.
Characteristics of peeling and brittle nails
Onychoschisis |
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| Characteristic | Leaf-shaped symmetrical or median splitting of the nail plate in the transverse direction of only the free edge of the nail without damaging the main part. It can grow without breaking off, but with a thinned free edge. |
| Leading reasons | |
| Nail color | Sometimes there is a change in the color of the nail plate to a grayish or off-white color. |
| Which nails are affected? | It is most often observed on the index, middle and ring fingers. |
| Treatment | Long-term intake of vitamin A, injections of vitamin B12, orally 10% gelatin solution for a long time. |
Onycholysis |
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| Characteristic | A nail disease of a trophic nature, when the nail plate is separated from the nail bed. Complete or partial detachment of the nail plate occurs, starting from the free edge or from the side. |
| Leading reasons |
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| Nail color | The peeled part of the plate becomes whitish-gray in color. |
| Which nails are affected? | |
| Treatment | Depending on the cause and severity of the symptoms, the separated nail is removed from the bed (using scissors), a bandage with synthomycin emulsion is applied for a week, the bed is lubricated with Castellani liquid, a course of vitamin A and gelatin is taken inside. |
Onychorrhexis |
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| Characteristic | Longitudinal grooves starting from the free edge of the nail with further splitting in the longitudinal direction. Complicated by deep nail cracks. |
| Leading reasons |
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| Nail color | Affected nails have a striped appearance with alternating light and dark stripes. |
| Which nails are affected? | One or more nail beds on any fingers, including toenails. |
| Treatment | Vitamin A course 1 month |
Brittle nails |
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| Characteristic |
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| Leading reasons |
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| Nail color | The color of the nail does not change, with the exception of the free edge, which becomes transparent or white in places with visible chips of the nail plate. |
| Which nails are affected? | Most often all nails are affected. |
Treatment of peeling and brittle nails
When nails peel, treatment should begin with a visit to a mycologist and dermatologist, and in some cases, a gastroenterologist and endocrinologist. Only in this case will the therapy be targeted, selected in accordance with the cause of the pathology. If necessary, the doctor prescribes a study of the nail plate for trace elements, fungus, as well as a biochemical blood test and blood for hormones.
Drug treatment
Vitamin-mineral complexes and dietary supplements that help eliminate imbalances of vitamins, macro- and microelements in the body. It should be noted that a positive effect is observed with a course of taking the drug for at least 1 month.
Nutrition
A diet full of protein foods, enriched with fruits and vegetables (see), as well as: dairy products, sesame seeds, nuts, spinach.
Salon and physiotherapy treatments
- Wax and paraffin applications, which improve blood circulation in tissues and promote rapid regrowth healthy nail. Softened and warm wax or paraffin is applied to the nail and soft fabrics near the nail and leave for 15-20 minutes. A similar procedure can be carried out at home.
- Spa manicure combining aromatherapy, various nourishing and strengthening baths and masks, paraffin therapy and hand massage. Professional care allows you to restore your nails to a healthy appearance.
- Japanese manicure. Produced manual massage hands, jojoba oil is rubbed into the nails, after which a water massage of the hands is performed. The procedure ends with the application of a mineral mask and a special polishing powder with beeswax.
- Salon nail sealing. Indicated when fingernails are very peeling and a complete renewal of the nail plate is necessary. The procedure includes a salt bath, treating the nail plate with a sanding file, rubbing vitaminized oil and natural wax into the nail. The effect of the procedure lasts about 3 months.
- Diathermy - heating the distal hands to activate blood circulation and metabolism.
- Ultraphoresis of vitamins A and E, delivering vitamins directly to the tissues. They carry out course sessions of 10-15 procedures, after 1 month they can be repeated.
- Hand massage, which is primarily aimed at improving tissue trophism and accelerating metabolic processes that promote the growth of nail plates.
If your nails are peeling, what can you do at home?
By the way, to prevent your nails from peeling and breaking, the usual hand creams that every woman uses are also suitable. The main thing is not to forget to rub the cream into the area of each nail and cuticle. The optimal composition of creams, rich in vitamins, minerals and natural plant extracts, with proper and regular use, improves the appearance and promotes the growth of healthy nails.
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Nail waxes
To prevent nails from peeling at home, use nail waxes. All of them are based on natural beeswax and can be used as an alternative to salon sealing. The price of a jar is 100-150 rubles.
Healing varnishes
If your nails become brittle, you can use medicinal varnishes: a series of medicinal varnishes from Eveline, Dance Legend, FIONA. They contain vitamins and growth activators and safely seal the damaged plate, protecting it from external influences. Some varnishes can also be used for decorative purposes. Price 100-250 rub.
Therapeutic mud
Silty, hilly, peaty, rich in minerals and biologically active substances. The mud is diluted in hot water to a viscous consistency and dried to 40-37 C, then applied to the nails in a thick layer, left for 15 minutes, then washed off and rinsed with water salted with sea salt. These procedures are performed daily for 7 days; after a 10-day break, you can repeat the course.
Traditional medicine - how to strengthen peeling nails at home
Herbal masks for hands and nails
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Wax film mask
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Therapeutic baths
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Clay, olive oil, iodine mask
For healthy nails, blue clay is recommended, a small amount of powder of which is diluted with warm olive oil and a couple of drops of iodine tincture, applied to the nails and left for 20 minutes. Course procedures are recommended for 7 days. |
Healing oils
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Edible gelatin jelly
Make strong jelly from gelatin and boiled water, take 1 tbsp. during each meal for 1-4 months, until the condition of the nails normalizes. |
All masks are prepared by grinding the components in a blender or grater and mixing. Apply masks to the distal phalanges of the fingers and nails for 10-15 minutes, preferably after a warming bath or light massage. Mask options:
Melt the wax in a water bath and cool to an acceptable temperature, dip your fingertips and nails into it and remove them, allowing the wax to harden on your fingers. The procedure is performed at night, in the morning the remaining wax is washed off with water. Repeat 2-3 times weekly.
Baths with sea salt and 
Prevention
- Avoid contact with aggressive media.
- Follow the rules of manicure using high-quality tools. Nail cutting should be done with special sharp scissors, and filing should only be done with glass or ceramic files in one direction from the edge to the center.
- Use high-quality nail polishes and care liquids. Before applying decorative varnish, a special protective coating must be used.
- Enrich your diet with dairy products, vegetables and fruits.
- Don't neglect gloves winter period year.
Many of us are faced with the problem of brittle and splitting nails. This forces us to hide our hands in shame and look for ways to eliminate this seemingly cosmetic defect. The condition of our nails can be negatively affected by various external or internal factors, and the appearance of such a symptom should not be left without due attention. Sometimes, to eliminate such a cosmetic defect, it is enough to just put on rubber gloves or refuse to use aggressive household chemicals, but in some cases, only a course of treatment for the underlying disease that provoked a change in the structure of the nail plates will help restore the health and beauty of your nails.
That is why, in order to eliminate such a problem, it is always necessary to accurately determine the cause of brittleness and splitting of nails, and only after that begin their restoration, and in some cases, treatment of the underlying disease. What reasons can lead to disruption of the structure of the nail plate? How can you get rid of them? How to restore the beauty and health of nails? You will find answers to these questions in this article.
What external causes lead to brittleness and splitting of nails?
Violation of the structure of the nail plate can be caused by the following aggressive external causes, leading to dry and brittle nails:
- prolonged contact with water;
- frequent exposure to low or high temperatures(dry and hot air, hot water, etc.);
- aggressive exposure to ultraviolet rays;
- contact with aggressive chemicals ( household chemicals, nail polishes, nail polish remover, building materials, etc.);
- use of low-quality nail files;
- improper care of hands and nails;
- improperly performed manicure or nail extensions;
- mechanical injuries.
The above external factors lead to overdrying of the tissues of the nail plate or its mechanical damage. As a result, the nail begins to peel, becomes dry and brittle.
What internal reasons lead to brittleness and splitting of nails?
Violation of the structure of the nail plate can be caused by various internal reasons that provoke a malnutrition of the nail tissue. These include:
- poor nutrition or aggressive diets leading to insufficient intake of minerals and vitamins from food (deficiency of vitamins B5, B3, B1, A, C, E and D, silicon, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron);
- period of active growth of children or adolescents;
- stress;
- chronic fatigue;
- bad habits (smoking, alcohol, drugs);
- onychomycosis (caused by Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton schoenleinii, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermaphyton floccosum, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Alternaria, Aspergillus and other types of fungi);
- hormonal disorders and endocrine diseases (functional disorders, etc.);
- psoriasis;
- diseases of the kidneys and digestive organs (intestines, etc.).
The reasons described above lead to disruption of the nutrition of the nail plate and changes in its structure. As a result, the nails begin to peel and break, and grooves, depressions, or areas of discoloration appear on them. In such cases, it is not possible to improve the appearance of nails with the help of external means, and you can get rid of the problem that has arisen only after eliminating the cause of its occurrence (i.e., treating the underlying disease, giving up bad habits, normalizing nutrition).
What do nails look like with certain diseases?
Overdrying of the nail plates, caused by insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals or exposure to aggressive factors and chemicals, is manifested by delamination and increased brittleness of the nails. They lose their integrity, become dull and grow poorly. In such cases, a person needs to eliminate aggressive external factors, normalize nutrition and properly care for nails.
With the development of diseases of the internal organs, in addition to delamination and increased fragility, the condition of the nail plates can change as follows:
- the appearance of dents and depressions on the nail - when;
- yellowish tint of the nail - with;
- cyanosis or paler color of the nail - in diseases associated with circulatory disorders;
- shiny, brittle and soft nails without a hole (sometimes with tubercles) - with hyperfunction of the thyroid gland;
- thickened, peeling nails with transverse grooves in the form of stripes - with hidden or recently suffered infectious diseases;
- a yellowish nail with white spots and bumps on the surface - with diabetes;
- yellow spots on the nails - with lung diseases;
- concavity of the nail (surface like a spoon) – with;
- a nail with a small scattering of white (pearl-like) convex tubercles - with a hidden viral infection;
- discoloration to yellow, gray and blackish, porosity, delamination and peeling of the nail (up to its loss) - with fungal diseases.
Based on the signs described above, the doctor may suspect one or another disease of the internal organs and prescribe a number of additional studies that will help determine the true cause of the change in appearance and delamination of the nail plates. After this, the patient is prescribed a course of treatment for the underlying disease, which will not only eliminate dysfunction of organs and systems, but also guarantee an improvement in the appearance of the nails.
General recommendations for eliminating splitting and brittle nails
When nails become split and brittle, it is important to eliminate external aggressive factors that may affect their health:
- When coming into contact with aggressive detergents or other chemicals, soil, building materials, hard or metal sponges, use rubber gloves.
- Avoid prolonged contact with water.
- Limit exposure to high and low temperatures (wear gloves, use protective creams etc.).
- Careful use of graters for cooking.
- Wearing comfortable shoes.
- Carefully trim your nails with high-quality nail scissors. The optimal shape for nails is oval or rectangular.
- Use only high-quality nail files (it is better to purchase glass ones). When filing nails, movements should be directed from the corner of the nail to the center. You should not file the sides of the nail plates.
- Learn how to do a manicure correctly or contact only an experienced specialist.
- Do not use low-quality nail polishes and nail polish remover containing acetone.
- Do not paint your nails constantly (it is advisable not to apply polish more than once a week). Give your nails a complete “rest” from polish 1-2 days a week.
- Before applying varnishes bright colors apply a special base for colored varnish.
- Avoid frequent procedures such as acrylic nail extensions and shellac-type coatings. It is better to avoid such procedures altogether if you have brittle and split nails.
To more effectively restore nail health, these recommendations must be supplemented with the following measures:
- normalization of nutrition;
- replenishing the lack of minerals and vitamins;
- proper nail care;
- salon treatments (if possible).
How to balance nutrition when nails are brittle and split?
With increased brittleness and splitting of nails, you definitely need to think about the quality of your diet. It is an unbalanced diet and the abuse of strict diets for weight loss that often lead to the fact that the body receives an insufficient amount of those substances that are needed for the normal development of the nail plate.
Preventing and eliminating splitting and brittleness of nails can be done by introducing daily diet foods that are rich in the following substances:
- Keratin: eggs, sea fish, poultry and meat.
- Calcium: cheese, dairy products, sesame seeds, egg whites, spinach, legumes, cabbage and cauliflower, nuts and figs.
- Magnesium: buckwheat, oats, beans and soybeans, nuts, whole wheat grains, brown rice and spinach.
- Silicon: radish, radish, lettuce, nettle shoots, mushrooms and leeks.
- Sulfur: oats, buckwheat, seafood, meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, milk, legumes, garlic, onions, radishes and radishes.
- Phosphorus: seafood, meat, fish, eggs, seeds, nuts and unrefined grains.
- Iodine: seaweed, seafood, sea fish, feijoa.
- Zinc: liver, meat, poultry, legumes, pine nuts and peanuts, wheat, oats, barley and buckwheat.
- Iron: liver, lentils, pistachios, buckwheat and barley, whole wheat, oats, cashews, peanuts, corn, dogwood and pomegranate.
- Vitamin B5: kidneys, beef liver and beef, eggs, sea fish, milk, brewer's yeast, legumes, rye flour, mushrooms and nuts.
- Vitamin B3: liver, chicken, peas, porcini mushrooms and champignons, eggs, nuts, corn, whole wheat and oats.
- Vitamin B1: pork, liver, nuts (pine, peanuts, pistachios, walnuts, cashews), lentils, cereals and pasta.
- Vitamin A: liver, butter, garlic, wild garlic, broccoli, processed cheese and feta cheese, sour cream, viburnum, seaweed and seafood.
- Vitamin C: bell pepper, rose hips, black currants, kiwi, sea buckthorn, oranges and broccoli.
- Vitamin E: nuts, dried apricots, sea buckthorn, whole wheat, rose hips, spinach, viburnum and sorrel.
- VitaminD: eggs, liver, sea bass, butter, sour cream and cream.
How to compensate for the lack of vitamins and minerals with split and brittle nails?
For faster nail restoration, it is recommended to take special vitamin and mineral complexes, which contain the “building material” necessary for the formation of normal nail plates. Only a specialist can determine the lack of a particular vitamin or mineral, and that is why the selection of such drugs should be carried out by a doctor or in agreement with him.
The most popular and effective vitamin-mineral complexes for restoring the structure of nails are the following drugs:
- Vitasharm (Veropharm, Russia);
- Perfectil and Perfectil Plus (Vitabiotics, UK);
- Revalid (Biogal, Hungary);
- Lady'S formula (PharmaMed, Canada);
- Healthy hair and nails (PharmaMed, Canada);
- Ageless Skin (PharmaMed, Canada);
- Volvit (Kusum Healthcare, India);
- Biotin (NOW Foods, USA);
- Medobiotin (Medopharm Arzneimittel, Germany);
- Calcium D3 Nycomed (Nycomed Pharma, Switzerland), etc.
The duration of taking such vitamin-mineral complexes is determined individually and depends on the degree of deficiency of vitamins or minerals. Before taking the drug, it is recommended to carefully study the instructions and follow all rules of administration.
How to properly care for split and brittle nails at home?
Despite the fact that splitting and brittleness of nails is a purely medical problem, proper cosmetic care and therapeutic procedures can make a significant contribution to the restoration of their structure. There are many recipes for strengthening nail plates that you can use at home and prepare yourself from foods, medications and oils.
Healing bath for nails with vegetable oil and green tea
Mix vegetable oil (olive or sunflower) and green tea (1:4 ratio) in a bowl. Heat the resulting solution to comfortable temperature and put your hands in it for 15-20 minutes. It is better to do the procedure before bedtime. Get your hands wet paper towel and put on cotton gloves.
The oil and tea solution can be reused. It must be stored in the refrigerator (but no more than 3 days). The procedure is carried out daily for 10 days.
Salt baths for nails
Dissolve a tablespoon of sea salt in a glass of very warm water and dip your fingers into the resulting solution. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes. The course of treatment is 10-14 days.
Gelatin baths
Dissolve ½ tablespoon of gelatin in ¾ glass of warm water, heat it and dip your fingers in the resulting solution for 20 minutes. Carry out the procedure 3 times a week for a month.
Bath of infusions of pine needles and green tea
Pour 200 ml of boiling water over a teaspoon of chopped pine needles and leave for 20-30 minutes. Add ½ cup of strongly brewed green tea to the infusion. Heat the resulting solution and dip your fingers in it for 20 minutes. The procedure is carried out every other day for 1-2 months.
Applications with burdock oil, iodine and lemon juice
Add 8 drops of iodine and a teaspoon of lemon juice to 200 ml of burdock oil. Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Perform the procedure before bedtime. Moisten cotton pads in the resulting oil solution and secure them to your fingertips with an elastic band or thread (without squeezing your finger). Wear cotton gloves and do not take them off until the morning. Wash off the oil solution with soap and water. Apply applications 2-3 times a week for a month.
Applications based on olive oil, lemon juice and vitamin A
Take 10 ml of olive oil and add 10 drops of lemon juice and vitamin A to it. The procedure is best done before bed. Lubricate the nail plates with the resulting oil and wrap them with cling film. Wear cotton gloves and do not take them off until the morning. Such applications should be performed 4-6 times a month.
Applications of vitamins A and E
Purchase capsules of the drug AEvit at the pharmacy. Open the capsule, apply the oil solution to the cuticles and nails. Rub in with massage movements. Carry out this procedure daily (preferably before bedtime). The course of treatment is 20-30 days.
Applications of olive oil, iodine and lemon juice
Add 4 drops of lemon juice and 3 drops of iodine to 20 ml of olive oil. Mix, apply to the nail plate and rub in. Leave for 10-15 minutes and remove any remaining product paper napkin. Such procedures can be carried out daily for a month.
Cranberry juice applications
Apply cranberry juice to your nails and rub in with massage movements. Carry out the procedure daily before going to bed. The course of treatment is a month.
Instead of cranberry juice, you can use lemon, black or red currant juice.
Applications from cactus juice
Apply cactus juice to the nail plates and rinse off after 10 minutes with warm water. Perform the procedure 2 times a week for 10 days.
Sealing nails with wax at home
Carefully file your nails with a glass file (movements should be directed from the edge of the nail to the center). Make a healing bath for your nails (for example, in a solution of sea salt) and rub vitamin oil or other caring agent into the cuticle. Melt beeswax and mix it with vitamin oil (in a ratio of 1:4). Rub the resulting composition into the nail plates using a soft suede polisher.
What salon treatments are useful for brittle and split nails?
To restore nails, the salon can offer a number of procedures:
- Paraffin therapy. Paraffin is heated in a special electric heater, to which substances beneficial for nails and skin are added. After cleansing, hands are dipped into the heated mixture, removed and the resulting “gloves” are left for 20 minutes. The paraffin film is carefully removed and the hands are lubricated with a moisturizer.
- Strengthening nails with soft biogel. The biogel contains substances that strengthen the nail platinum, which after application remain on the nails for a long time and protect them from microcracks.
- Sealing the nails. To perform this procedure, formulations are used that include vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for nails. The nail is first polished and only after that a special paste is applied to its surface. This procedure is effective for 14 days. After completing it, you cannot do a manicure.
In addition to the procedures described above, salon clients may be offered services for applying professional nail masks. Such therapeutic measures are always highly effective, but do not require a one-time application, but a course of treatment.
