The Solutions to All Your Nail Problems

Common Nail Problems and How to Achieve Healthy Nails

Isn’t funny how we are so used to things like fingernails that we might not stop to think about just what they are or what they are made from? It is usually only when we have a problem with our nails that we stop to think about why or what they are, and how to fix the problem. In this article, we are going to look at the most common nail problems and how to achieve healthy nails:

• Dry cuticles
• Brittle nails
• Split nails
• Broken nails

Not only are we going to consider what causes them, but also how to fix them. First though, we are going to look at the issue of “what are fingernails” and why we might have strong or weak nails.

What Are Fingernails?

Each of the nails on our fingers (and toes) is made of living skin cells. In the case of the fingernail, as one doctor explains, it “consists of several parts including the nail plate (the visible part of the nail), the nail bed (the skin beneath the nail plate), the cuticle (the tissue that overlaps the plate and rims the base of the nail), the nail folds (the skin folds that frame and support the nail on three sides), the lunula (the whitish half-moon at the base of the nail) and the matrix (the hidden part of the nail unit under the cuticle).”

Nails are made of a substance known as keratin, which is also found in hair and skin. It is a hardened protein and as new cells grow into the matrix area of the fingernail, they push out and compact older keratin cells, forming the fingernail.

Our nails grow about 1 centimeter in 100 days, but not everyone’s nails grow at the same rate. That depends on age, gender, the season of the year, and our general health. It is surprising to hear, but fingernails usually “grow faster in young people, in males, and in the summer.”

Other fun facts about your nails: They grow faster than toenails, and whatever hand you “favor” (i.e. your right or left hand), the nails on the opposite side will grow faster.

However, almost any part of your fingernail can have a problem, and as an expert at Healthline indicates, “Your fingernails can say a lot about your health. Nail beds constantly give rise to nail tissue, and adequate vitamin, mineral and nutrient intakes help support the growth, formation and strength of new nail cells. A change in the appearance, texture or shape of your nails could indicate nutrient deficiencies.”

Related: Folic Acid Benefits: A Vital Nutrient for Optimal Health

Healthy Diet = Healthy Nails

One step in having healthier nails, then, is to be certain you have a diet full of the right amounts of vitamins and minerals. The most important are:

• Biotin
• B12
• Folate
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Protein
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Vitamin C
• Zinc

A healthy diet also helps to strengthen nails, and one nutritional expert pointed towards the following foods as ideal for nail health and strength: Almonds for their vitamin E and zinc, whole grain cereals for their zinc, eggs for protein, fats from foods like oily fish and “olive oil, rapeseed oil, avocados and of course nuts,” and lots of water each day.

Even if you eat right and drink plenty of water, though, you can end up with one or more of those common nail problems. So, let’s take some time to explore what they are, exactly, what causes them, and what to do about them.

Taming Dry Cuticles

The cuticle is the layer of transparent skin around the bottom of the finger nail and the nail bed. It is actually a natural barrier meant to keep bacteria away from the nail. However, it is not a very rugged barrier and can dry, crack and peel quite easily. This is what allows bacteria to enter. However, just a dry cuticle itself is problematic because it can lead to “hang nails” and general discomfort.

What causes this to happen? The nail experts at Healthline say that it is due to:

• Inadequate moisture in the skin
• Overly frequent washing
• Heavy use of nail polish remover and/or hand sanitizers
• Cold weather
• Skin conditions like eczema
• Certain medications
• Poor diet and/or malnutrition
• Nail or cuticle biting

What Should You do About Dry Cuticles?

The team at OPI says that it takes a few steps to get cuticles in good shape, and that includes:

• Utilizing hand and nail moisturizing creams each day
• Being sure to be fully hydrated and even using a humidifier if needed
• Pushing back cuticles to prevent tearing after using a cuticle cream soften and protect
• They also advise using gloves if hands are in water or chemicals each day, and going as chemical free as possible in your daily life and in your home.
• Be aware of the change of seasons, too, as winter seems to really bring on a regular case of dry and painful cuticles in a vast majority of people. There are lots of treatments that include polishes, creams, and oils to prevent winter’s dry heat from harming nails.
• Watching the diet (on top of drinking adequate water supplies) for vitamin E and zinc deficiencies is also a good way to overcome and/or prevent the issue

If the nails and cuticles don’t heal properly, and present with any sort of swelling, pain or redness, be sure to visit a medical expert to ensure no infection has made its way beneath the nail. They will also be able to help you learn how to achieve healthy nails.

Related: The Truth About Dip Powder Nails – Pros and Cons

Dealing with Brittle Nails

Nails can become dry and brittle, but they can also, according to the team at Healthline, be soft and brittle. Each issue is caused by different conditions. Dry and brittle nails are usually due to a lack of moisture, which can be due to dehydration or repeated washing and drying or exposure to drying chemicals and compounds. Soft and brittle nails have too much moisture and can be caused by overexposure to things like detergents and cleansers.

However, you might have brittle nails because of the natural aging process, a health issue known as hypothyroidism or another called Raynaud’s syndrome, or because of a dietary deficiency in iron.

Related: Are Your Nails Cracking and Brittle Like Mine? Steps to Take Now!

How to Prevent Brittle Nails

The good news is that that there is something you can do about it, no matter what the cause. The steps include:

• Moisturize – There are hand and nail lotions or creams that contain ingredients like alpha-hydroxy acids and lanolin. These are compounds that condition and heal the nails.
• Post-washing regimen – Keep lotion or cream immediately where you wash and dry hands. Whenever you use the sink area, dry the hands and apply moisturizer to the nails and hands.
• Use nighttime treatments – Make part of your nighttime regimen the application of moisturizer to the hands and the nails
• Wear gloves – Doing household chores? Slip on gloves that block them from getting wet or covered in cleansers and chemicals
• Keep warm – During the colder and drier weather of the winter months, always wear gloves or mittens when outdoors
• Be proactive in nail care – There are many things you can do where your nail care is concerned in order to protect them. They include keeping nails short to prevent retention of moisture, file them to keep them even and prevent breaking or tearing, never bite or chew the cuticles, buff nails in the direction it grows, use a nail hardener to support your nails, and use polish without acetone (or skip polish altogether)
• Supplement – Biotin is an ideal supplement (using 2.5 milligrams daily) to help with this issue

It can be difficult to get brittle nails under control, and if it becomes a serious problem where tearing and flaking are ongoing, it is a good idea to visit your doctor to find out if there are other methods to use or other causes leading to the issue. They will help you better learn how to achieve healthy nails.

Related: Acrylics vs. Natural and Gel Polish vs. Regular Polish

 What to Do about Split Nails

Whether or not you work with your hands, a split nail is a major problem. It is uncomfortable and even painful, and it can be caused by a surprising array of issues. As the Healthline experts explain, “A split nail is characterized by a crack forming in your nail. Nail splits can be horizontal, across the nail’s tip, or vertical, splitting the nail in two.”

The most common causes for nail splitting are:

• Moisture – Usually you will have experienced soft and brittle nails and the skin around the nail might soften, too. Eventually, it makes it easier for the nail to bend or split. This is common among those who repeatedly wash their hands or use nail polish
• Physical stress -Whether it is an injury, such as crushing a nail, or someone with the habit of picking at the nail (including biting it), that too can lead to a split. Fake nails also put a lot of physical stress on nails
• Psoriasis – The skin condition known as psoriasis can lead to a nail thickening and crumbling or splitting. In fact, more than ¾ of people with psoriasis have nail problems.
• Disease – There are many health issues, apart from psoriasis, that lead to nail splitting, including thyroid issues, liver and kidney issues, and skin cancer. Typically, they cause splitting because they reduce nail health
• Infection – Whether a bacterial, yeast or fungal infection, the impact on the nail bed can cause nail changes, including splitting

What Can You do About Split Nails?

If you ask the experts at OPI, they have some very simple to follow advice:

• Wear moisture blocking gloves to protect hands often submerged in water or exposed to chemicals
• Always hydrate with lotion and cuticle oil throughout the day
• Skip the hand sanitizer and go with a moisturizing soap
• Be aware of the nail polish removers used and always opt for non-drying solutions
• If painting a split nail, use a treatment beforehand. There are options that contain calcium and vitamin E to help with problems
• Take biotin supplements to strengthen weakened nails

If the nail split is serious, such as needing removal, it is time to visit a doctor. There are instances when stitches are required to save the nail bed and allow a new nail to regrow.

Related: Nail Files…What You Need to Know to Buy and Use the Right Ones

What to Do about Broken Nails

Nails break, and most of us have had at least one moment when we know that a nail has broken off at a potentially painful spot. No matter how severe, though, it is important to understand why a nail can break and the right way to address the issue.

Nails often break because they are brittle, dry and deficient. Though lots of people break perfectly healthy nails because of trauma or manual labor, if you are experiencing frequent breaks, it is time to consider how to achieve healthy nails.

When a nail does break, it is best to take the advice of the team at OPI. Their process involves:

• Removing any polish
• Filing gently to smooth the area of the break using a glass file
• Trimming “tea bag to the size of a small patch that can cover your tear and leave to one side.”
• Apply a chip preventing solution to the area where the break occurred and then add a small dot of nail glue
• Apply the patch made from the tea bag using tweezers
• Leave it to dry and then buff the nail
• Treat it with at least one coat of nail strengthener
• Apply a coat of clear polish

This will protect the nail from any further tearing and breaking and allow it to blend in a bit better with the other, healthy nails.

Related: Check Out the All In One Glass Nail File

In Conclusion – How to Achieve Healthy Nails

Our fingernails say a great deal about our general health. Knowing how to keep them in top condition is a great asset. You will want to follow these final tips from the Healthline experts to keep nails strong and healthy:

• Take a biotin supplement
• Minimize water exposure
• Remain hydrated
• Eat properly
• Avoid potentially harmful products
• Skip gel or acrylic nails
• Don’t use polish periodically
• Keep nails short
• Never use the nails as tools
• Apply lotion
• Skip any drying products including cleaners and beauty products like shampoos and polish removers
• Visit the doctor when you think there is something wrong and your nails are giving you clear signs of it

We hope you can use these tips to start having healthier and better looking nails than ever before.

More Great Resources on How to Achieve Healthy Nails:

Key Nutrients for Nail Health

15 Tips for Stronger Nails

How to Fix A Broken Nail At Home: 6 Easy Ways