How can I keep my nails healthy?
Brittle nails (onychoschizia) is a common nail disorder that affects women more commonly than men. It is manifested by nails that break easily. One may also complain of other signs such as loss of luster and nails that peel off at the nail tip.
Causes:
-Malnutrition and hypothyroidism
-Exposure to harsh environmental factors: for instance, frequent hand washing and soap use leads to significant nail dehydration.
-Exposure to particular chemicals such as acetone, glues used for artificial nails and nail polish
The treatment of brittle nails is twofold:
Patient needs to avoid exposure to water and soap as well as other chemicals that can worsen their nail condition. This can be done by wearing protective gloves when possible, and choosing gentler nail polish removers (acetone–free nail polish
The second step in the treatment is moisturizing the nail plate. This should be done at each hand washing after patting the hands dry. Petroleum jelly hydrates the nail plate intensively and provides lasting relief from dryness, however it is too oily.
There are specialized moisturizers in the market that are designed to hydrate nails while providing a better tolerance. Multiple vitamins have been used in the treatment of brittle nails, however there are few studies to support their use. Biotin is a vitamin that has a proven efficacy for the treatment of fragile nails. Biotin can be found in many food sources including whole-grain cereals, whole wheat bread, eggs, dairy products, peanuts among other sources. However, the dose needed for treatment are high and often the patient may need supplementation for two or three months