Disfigured or Brittle Nails: Home Doctor & Self Therapy

The most common cause of disfigured nails is a fungal infection. This usually affects toenails, particularly if your feet sweat a lot or you do not dry them properly after washing, although fingernails can also be infected if moisture gets trapped under artificial nails. The nail becomes thickened, crumbly, and white or yellow, and may grow misshapen or separate from the nail bed. Other nail problems include dry, hard, and brittle nails that are prone to splitting; white patches on the nails due to minor injuries; and fine vertical ridges on the nails, which are common in older people. In a few cases, nail changes indicate an underlying illness.

See your doctor first

Make an appointment to see your doctor if:

● You have a fungal infection of the nails

● You develop abnormalities such as curved or clubbed nails or pits on the nail surfaces

What you can do yourself

Use the following tips for fragile, brittle nails and to treat a fungal infection, alongside treatment

prescribed by your doctor.

● Wash your hands after touching an infected nail. If your toenails are affected, don’t walk barefoot around swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms; you may pass the infection on to others.

● Wear cotton socks rather than those made of synthetic fibers and change socks, pantyhose, or tights daily. Wear properly fitting shoes, made from natural materials that do not trap moisture. If your feet sweat, take your shoes off during the day, if possible, or wear open-toed sandals.

● Practice good nail care to improve dry, brittle fingernails (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, below).

● Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves to protect your hands when doing chores such as washing dishes or using household cleaning products.

● Try painting on a cosmetic nail hardener once a week. Don’t wear artificial nails or nail polish.

● Very occasionally, buff vertical ridges on nails with a fine emery board to smooth them out. Be careful not to buff too much or you may thin the nail.

PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE

Nail care This nail-care regimen will help keep your nails strong and healthy and reduce brittleness or splitting.

1. Trim your nails regularly so that they are square at the sides and slightly rounded on the top. Trim hard or brittle nails after a bath or soak them in water first.
2. File your nails in one direction only, using gentle strokes from the side of the nail to its tip. Using a “sawing” motion with the file weakens the nail.
3. Don’t have your cuticles removed during manicures; instead, soak your fingernails in warm water, then push the cuticles back gently with an orange stick.
4. At bedtime, rub a moisturizer into the cuticles and skin around the nails. Apply a moisturizer afterward whenever you wash your hands.

Seek further medical advice

See your doctor if your nail problems persist or if you develop any unexplained nail symptoms.

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