Cures for Dry Fingernails

Proper nail care will help you feel good about your image.

Dry fingernails can be an unsightly issue that can cause painful cracking and splitting. The cause of dry fingernails can be the result of anything from harsh cleaning products on hands to genetics. Dry fingernails may even be the cause of a nutritional deficiency. However, there is hope for curing your dry fingernails.

Soak Your Fingernails

A simple home treatment that can go a long way is to soak your dry fingernails in extra virgin olive oil for 10 to 15 minutes daily for one month. This will help to build up your nails and protect them from future damage. Continue to maintain your fingernails with a weekly olive oil soak.

Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Put gloves on whenever you are going to be using cleaning products. Cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that will wreak havoc on fingernails, drying them out and causing them to split, peel or crack. Nail polish remover can also be a culprit of dry fingernails. Acetone, a main ingredient of most fingernail polish removers, is a very harsh chemical that can strip moisture from fingernails. If you need to remove nail polish, a non-acetone remover will be gentler on your fingernails.

Moisturize Your Fingernails

Apply a thick lotion or cream or even petroleum jelly to your hands. Massage the cream into your hands paying special attention to your fingernails. Massaging your fingernails will help increase blood flow to the area, increased blood flow will help your fingernails grow stronger. Put on some cotton gloves after massaging the cream into your hands and allow your fingernails to marinate in moisture for an hour.

Be Healthy

Good nutrition will make a big difference in the health of your fingernails. Take a daily multivitamin. Vitamins are important for overall health including the health of your fingernails. Water is one of the best things for our bodies providing hydration to our skin, hair and even to our fingernails. Drinking adequate amounts of water can help improve the health of your fingernails.

References

• She Knows: Get Healthy and Beautiful Nails
• Mayo Clinic: How to Keep Your Fingernails Healthy and Strong
• I Am Moody: Healthy Nail Tips

Resources

• Hpathy: Fingernails and What They Reveal