Tips for Healthy Strong Nails

Healthy and beautiful looking nails

Well, although genetics may contribute to the overall health of nails, there are ways that people can help to strengthen and enhance the physical appearance of their nails. Some of the tips for healthy strong nails encompass a holistic approach such as making changes to our diets, taking vitamin supplements as well as taking extra precaution from environmental factors that can have an effect on the health and appearance of our nails. Having strong healthy nails is essential because we use them in everyday life. We use them when we talk to convey a certain message to others and we also use them in just about any task we do. That is why it is important to take time to make sure that the health of our hands and our nails are optimized.

There are many different problems that we complain about when it comes to the health of their nails. These problems encompass many different aspects from how they look to how they feel. That is why it is important to enact a beauty regime where we can learn tips for healthy strong nails. These tips help to combat signs of stress and fatigue on weak lifeless nails. Doing this can help not only give our bodies the essential nutrients it needs, but it also has a positive affect on how our nails look to the rest of the world.

According to Patricia Hyde M.D. she states that nails are a type of modified skin and help to protect the sensitivity found at the fingers and toes. Although nails aren’t considered to be a necessity, they do help humans with many of the tasks they do on a regular basis.

They help aid us with picking up smaller objects and protect the toes and fingers from injuries. Just think of how complicated activities would be if we didn’t have nails. We wouldn’t be able to scratch an itch. We would also have a pretty difficult time trying to untie a knot. Nails are a great way to tell the health of a person, and also let us know when there might be an underlying health condition that needs to be enacted upon.

Dry/Soft Brittle Nails and the Treatment

Are you having a problem with dry brittle nails? Does it seem like every little task you do you see a nail cracking or breaking? According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology a deficiency in iron can be the most likely culprit for this occurrence.

“Onychoschizia or splitting of the fingernails is a common problem seen by dermatologists. The term onychoschizia includes splitting, brittle, soft or thin nails. Onychoschizia is more common in women.”

One way to distinguish the cause of dry brittle nails is to take a look at both environmental and biological causes. For instance, if the toenails are strong, then it is most likely an environmental factor.

Brittle nails that are dry in nature can be caused by a deficiency in moisture. Soft brittle nails are due to too much moisture. The reasons these problems occur can be due to two environmental factors. These environmental factors include repeated use of the fingers and nails and changes in weather during certain times of the year when humidity is low.

Tips for Healthy Strong Nails-Treatment for Brittle Nails

If you find that your nails are brittle, the best treatment is to apply lotions that contain alpha-hydroxy acids or lotions that contain lanolin. This should be done after soaking nails in water for about 5 minutes (American Osteopathic College of Dermatology).

How to protect nails

Whenever using harsh chemicals to clean the house, it would be wise to wear gloves because the chemicals combined with excess exposure to water can weaken nails. Clear nail polish may also help strengthen nails and creates a barrier between your nails and harsh environmental factors. You may also want to invest in some nail polish with nylon fibers.
 
File the nails with a fine file and make sure to round the tips. By filing daily you can prevent snags from causing nail irregularities or further splitting from occurring. When filing or buffing the nails make sure to go in the same direction as they grow, this will help prevent nails from obtaining cracks in them which causes them to become brittle and break.

Tips for Healthy Strong Nails-Supplements for Dry Brittle Nails

Biotin can be beneficial as a supplement for dry brittle nails. The recommended dosage is 1 mg. It can take up to 6 months to see results. Pregnant women should not take this supplement.

Deformed Nails or Nails that Curve at the Tips

• May indicate respiratory problems
• If they are raised at the base may also indicate a respiratory problem
• Nails are wide and squared could mean you have a hormonal disorder
• Flat and thick nails can indicate a vitamin deficiency, usually vitamin B12

Healthy Skin Surrounding the Nails

Another way you can determine the health of your nails is also by taking a look at the surrounding skin of your nails. Healthy nails and skin should be free of indentations, pock marks and fingernail ridges. They should also be smooth to the touch.

There are many different ways you can tell whether you have unhealthy nails. Some of these techniques include visual appearance while others include how the nails feel and how they hold up when different amounts of pressure is applied.

Ways to Tell if you have Unhealthy Nails

• Dents are usually a sign of trauma and will eventually grow out. This is not a serious concern.
• Ridges that are vertical in nature could be a sign of iron deficiency or an inability to absorb nutrients. These may also be a sign that you have poor overall health and may even indicate kidney trouble.
• Arthritis can be a sign that is apparent in bumps or vertical fingernail ridges. It may also indicate an future inclination of developing arthritis.
• Mental or physical stress can be indicated by the appearance of horizontal fingernail ridges.
• If you have hangnails on both sides of the nails, this could be a sign that you are deficient in vitamin c or folic acid.

Read More: Six Diet Tips for Strong and Healthy Nails

In Conclusion

There are many different ways we can distinguish the health of our nails.  We can look at them and tell by certain physical traits they encompass. Some of these physical and cosmetic abnormalities can tell us when there is an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed and treated. We can also tell how healthy they are by how well they hold up during the many functions we do in everyday life. Improving the overall health of nails can be accomplished by enacting daily health regimes. The tips for healthy strong nails which have been covered in this article include taking supplements, protecting hands from harmful chemicals and excess moisture. These methods can improve the appearance and strength of our nails while also giving our bodies the nutrients and vitamins that are essential to be healthy.