Effective Care Tips to Prevent Nail Breakage

Nail breakage refers to the condition where the nail plate breaks or cracks at one or more points. Nails are made of a protein layer called keratin, which serves as a protective feature of the body. Nails are used in many daily activities, which makes them prone to breaking. The main causes of nail breakage may include: Trauma: Impact on your nails can lead to breakage. For example, hitting a door or squeezing objects can cause damage to the nails. Dryness: Nails can become more brittle when they dry out. Cold and dry weather, in particular, can cause moisture loss in the nails. Chemical Exposure: Constant exposure to chemicals (e.g., heavy cleaning agents or solvents) can weaken nails and lead to breakage. Nail Biting: The habit of biting nails can damage them and cause breakage. Improper Nail Care: Incorrect nail care habits, such as cutting nails improperly or excessive use of nail polish, can also cause nail breakage. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ How to Prevent or Reduce Nail Breakage To prevent or reduce nail breakage, you can follow these steps: • Trim and shape your nails regularly, but avoid cutting them too short. • Moisturize your hands and nails. • Wear gloves when exposed to chemicals. • Quit the habit of nail biting. • Maintain a balanced diet to nourish your nails. Nail breakage is not a serious issue and can usually be treated at home. However, if nail breakage recurs frequently or causes significant discomfort, you may need to consult a doctor or a nail specialist. Before asking, "What is good for nail breakage?" it is more accurate to identify the cause of the breakage and apply treatment accordingly. Weakness and breakage at the tips of the nails are common health issues, especially among women. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What Causes Nails to Break Easily? 1. Excessive exposure to water, frequent dishwashing, or daily swimming. 2. Overuse of soap or detergents. 3. Prolonged use of nail polish can weaken nails by blocking light and air exposure. 4. Nail polish removers contain chemicals that weaken nails. 5. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) can make nails more prone to breakage. 6. Anemia can cause nail deformities and easy breakage. 7. Poor nutrition and certain vitamin deficiencies may be contributing factors. 8. Gluten intolerance has been reported to cause nail breakage. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Remedies to Strengthen Nails What is Good for Nail Breakage? Tips to Prevent Nail Breakage: 1. Reduce water exposure, avoid frequent washing with soap, and keep hands away from detergent-filled water. 2. Avoid using nail polish and polish remover for a while. Let your nails breathe without polish for a few days each week. 3. Get a blood test to ensure you are not anemic. (Simply, if your Hematocrit (Hct) level is above 36%, anemia is not the cause of your nail breakage.) 4. Ensure your thyroid gland is functioning properly. (If your blood TSH level is within normal limits, hypothyroidism is not the cause of your nail breakage.) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Role of Biotin in Nail Health The vitamin most often associated with nail breakage is B7 (or H vitamin), also known as Biotin. A person with a normal diet is unlikely to have a biotin deficiency. Although biotin is often recommended for hair loss and nail breakage, there is no definitive evidence to prove its effectiveness. Therefore, it is better to obtain biotin naturally through food rather than supplements. An adult needs about 30 micrograms of biotin daily. For example, 5 grams of hazelnuts contain 4.1 micrograms of biotin. Eating a handful of almonds, hazelnuts, or walnuts daily can more than meet your biotin needs. In addition to nuts, foods like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, Swiss chard, parsley, chickpeas, corn, and sesame seeds, as well as fruits and vegetables, are rich in biotin. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By following these tips and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can strengthen your nails and reduce the risk of breakage.