Home Remedies to Strengthen Brittle Nails - eMediHealth (2024)

Everyone desires strong, smooth nails on their fingers and toes. However, various factors can turn the nails brittle and textured.

This condition, medically known as onychoschizia, is categorized by thin, soft or dry, cracking, and splitting nails that can break off easily and have a slow growth rate.

While it is a common symptom of aging, (1) it can often result from health problems such as nutritional deficiencies.

Home Remedies for Brittle Nails

The following home treatments can help improve the problem of brittle nails:

1. Massage with coconut oil

Coconut oil contains healthy fatty acids (2)that deeply moisturize (3) the nails, strengthening and nourishing weak, brittle nails. Moreover, this oil can act on the nail bed and boost nail growth.

Massaging your nails with coconut oil can also enhance blood circulation and retain moisture. Almond oil can be used instead of coconut oil.

How to use:

1. Warm 1–2 tbsp of coconut oil and apply it to the nails.
2. Massage it for 4–6 minutes three times a day.

2. Soak in apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) possesses various nutrients including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium that nourish and strengthen the nails. The malic acid and acetic acid present in ACV acts as antifungal and antibacterial agents that can help prevent and manage nail infections. (4)

How to use:

1. Dilute equal parts of ACV and water.
2. Soak your nails in the solution for a few minutes and gently push back the cuticles.
3. Perform this remedy once daily for a week.

3. Use sea salt

A sea salt and water bath for your nails can strengthen brittle nails and soften your cuticles.

How to use:

1. Dissolve 1 tbsp of sea salt in a bowl of warm water.
2. Soak your hands in the solution for 15–20 minutes every other day.

4. Applyvitamin E

Vitamin E can improve your nail health. Applying vitamin E oil to the nails can rejuvenate the nails by strengthening them.

How to use:

1. Puncture a vitamin E capsule.
2. Apply the thick oil to each nail.

5. Perform a lemon juice and olive oil soak

Olive oil and lemon juice are common natural agents used for various dermatological treatments, including brittle nails.

Olive oil can penetrate the nail cuticles, helping in strengthening and repairing them. Lemon juice can help manage peeling and damaged nails while removing stains and giving them a bright sheen.

How to use:

1. Mix 1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice with 3 tbsp of olive oil.
2. Warm the mixture.
3. Massage the mixture onto your nails.
4. Soak your fingertips in it for 20 minutes.

6. Use tea tree oil

Tea tree oil possesses antibiotic and antifungal properties, (5)(6) which can help improve nail brittleness caused by fungal infections.

How to use:

1. Dilute a few drops of tea tree oil with ½ tbsp of vitamin E oil.
2. Massage the oil blend onto your nails.
3. Wash your nails with lukewarm water after half an hour and apply a moisturizer.
4. Repeat this remedy twice a month for results.

7. Moisturize with shea butter

The application of shea butter can help nourish your nails and restore moisture, thus boosting the repair of brittle nails while promoting the growth of strong nails.

How to use:

• Use shea butter to moisturize your hands, including the nails, every day.
• You can also massage in shea butter to your nails for around 20 minutes before bedtime and leave it overnight.

8. Dip your nails in orange juice

Orange juice has a high content of folic acid, which is beneficial to nail health.

How to use:

1. Extract fresh orange juice and soak your nails in it for 10–15 minutes.
2. Rinse with warm water.
3. Repeat this remedy daily for up to 3 weeks.

Self-Care Measures and Preventive Tips to Avoid Brittle Nails

It is essential to take proper care of your nails in order to manage and prevent brittle nails. The following self-care measures may be helpful:

1. Moisturize regularly

Always apply a moisturizer to your hands after washing them. You can also use nail oils containing lanolin or alpha hydroxy acid. However, if your nails are soft instead of dry, avoid excessive use of moisturizers.

2. Avoid prolonged water exposure

Activities that expose your nails to water, including washing hands repetitively, are a common cause of weak, brittle nails. Therefore, avoid prolonged water activities. (7)

You can wear cotton-lined rubber gloves to prevent water exposure while doing household chores, such as washing dishes. (7)

3. Limit manicures

Do not get manicures too often as they involve prolonged dipping of nails in water and the use of moisturizers. Avoid gel manicures, especially in winters, as they can increase nail dryness and damage the nails during removal.

Moreover, it is vital to avoid getting cuticles removed as they help prevent infections by sealing the nail plate and skin together. Make sure your technician sterilizes all the tools before the manicure to prevent the spread of infection.

4. Avoid excessive use of nail polish removers

Refrain from using chemical-laden products, such as nail polishes and removers, on your nails as they can cause dryness of the nails and nail beds, causing weak and brittle nails.

5. Do a paraffin wax bath

Soak your fingertips in a paraffin wax bath for 10–20 minutes and peel off the wax once dry. This treatment can moisturize and soothe the nails.

6. Refrain from using fake nails

Many people use fake nails to hide short or brittle nails, but doing so actually can aggravate the condition. Since fake nails are glued on your nails, the gap between them allows the growth of bacterial infections.

7. Do not use alcohol-based sanitizers

Since hand sanitizers are composed of alcohol, their frequent use can cause dryness. Therefore, it is best to use soap and water to wash your hands whenever possible.

8. File your nails properly

Use a soft nail file and use it in a single direction with gentle pressure to shape your nails.

9. Use a nail buffer

It can be helpful to buff your nails as this boosts blood supply to the growing nail tissues. Moreover, it smoothens the nails and adds shine to the nails without the use of chemicals.

10. Keep your nails clean

Keep your nails trimmed to avoid splitting and breakage due to trauma.

11. Don’t bite your nails

Avoid biting or picking your nails as it can damage the nail cuticles.

12. Stay hydrated

It is essential to drink plenty of water to prevent nail dryness. You can also consume water-rich foods such as cucumbers and watermelon.

13. Consume a healthy diet

It is vital to improve your diet to maintain the health of your nails. Since brittle nails often result from nutritional deficiencies, make sure to include rich sources of vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, zinc, folic acid, iron, calcium, and biotin in your diet to prevent and improve brittle nails. This is also beneficial to your overall health.

Final Word

Healthy, smooth, and strong nails are often representative of good health. Brittle nails, on the other hand, are an undesirable feature.

A few self-care measures, home remedies, and lifestyle changes can help improve brittle nails. This includes moisturization, proper trimming, oiling the cuticles, and consuming a healthy diet.

If these measures fail to improve the condition of your nails, consult a doctor, as brittle nails can be a symptom of an underlying condition.

Continue ReadingBrittle Nails: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment