Brittle Fingernails

What Causes Brittle Nails

Brittle fingernails can be a constant nail problem for many.

What causes brittle nails,unfortunately is part and parcel of growing older, yet you can help make them stronger. If you're over the age of 35, there is a good chance you will have brittle nails.

Brittle finger nails can be weak and thin fingernails which peel and break easily, grow slowly, and all these nail problems can also be caused from a lack of moisture, as well as aging.

Covering your fingernails up with fake nails or nail polish, is not the answer, and can sometimes ruin your nails completely.

I suffered for most of my life, nails which were brittle and break easily, but I never tried to cover them up with fake nails. They are only good, if you have strong nails in the first place.

Also, avoid using hand creams that contain alcohol as these will dry out your fingernails and cuticles. It is important to avoid damaged cuticles, for your fingernails health.

Avoid nail hardeners.

Be careful you don't tap the actual nail.

What causes brittle nails can be frequent manicures, and over buffing fingernails.

There are a couple of ways to moisturize your nails to help strengthen them; one is soaking your nails in warm olive oil for about 30 minutes, once or twice a week. This is great, I love doing this, and not only are my nails stronger, my hands are soft and smooth. When I have finished I massage the oil into my hands and cuticles.

If you don't have the time, try massaging olive oil into your nails. This is a great way of helping to give you strong fingernails.

Do this after washing your hands, having a shower and washing dishes if you are not wearing gloves.

You can also do this with your toenails, rub olive oil into them at night, put on a pair of socks and go to bed.

Another great oil you can use to help overcome brittle finger nails is rubbing almond oil into them, or soak in warm almond oil for about 30 min a couple of times a week. Like olive oil, almond oil will quickly absorb into the nail bed.

Sunflower oil is great too; it is high in vitamin E. Again, soak your fingernails in the sunflower oil for about 15 to 20 min a day.

Usually brittle fingernails are not from an internal health problem, yet poor nutrition can lead to this type of problem, so it is usually a good idea to eat well for healthy fingernails, and a healthy body.

If you have tried everything above, and still have brittle fingernails, seek a Doctors opinion.

This nail problem can be caused from continual wetting and drying of your hands, or exposure from harsh chemicals. In my case it was the continual wetting and drying.

You may have heard of gelatin being a cure for brittle fingernails. There is much controversy about gelatin and very little scientific evidence. I have not tried gelatin myself, I don't like the sound of it.

Gelatin is derived from collagen which is found in pigskins, bones and cattle hides. This can be bought in packets and one particular brand name which comes to mind is Knox.

Herbs are great to help nails, Horsetail is one which has been known to help with brittle finger nails, and help strengthen them.

If you have a healthy diet, rubbing oils into your fingernails, should help your overcome brittleness.


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