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How to Treat Cracked Nails

The manner in which you maintain your nails can tell a lot about the kind of person you are. When you keep them well-trimmed and groomed, it shows that you take good care of your body. At the same time, if your nails are cracked or split, it could mean that you pay little attention to your health or the health of your nails. Sometimes, habits like nail biting could also give rise to these conditions, which are signs of stress and anxiety.

Most people assume that the cracking and splitting of their nails is due to iron deficiency. They think that iron supplements or more gelatin intake would solve the problem. However, it could be more due to exposure of ones hands to water. Activities like dish washing for prolonged periods of time can damage the cells which are instrumental in holding the nails together. Sometimes, staying for long periods of time in the shower or bath tub could also lead to this condition. Certain compounds in nail polish or nail polish removers can give rise to cracking and splitting of nails.

Whatever the cause, the good news is, you can do something about it and repair the damage. And you do not have to go to the salon to get your nails repaired either. All you need to do is have a little patience, and devote some time to the upkeep of your nails. First of all, examine your nails thoroughly to determine the extent of damage. Then carefully clip away portions that are split or cracked so that they do not get caught in clothing or other flimsy materials and cause further damage to the nails.

You need to understand that repairing your nails is going to take quite a bit of time. Fingernails grow at a slow rate, and it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months for the nail to emerge from under the cuticle and grow towards the tip. This amounts to about 2 to 3 millimeters a month. For the entire duration, you need to protect your nails from further damage and treat it carefully to remedy the condition.

Before you can choose a method of treatment, you need to determine the exact cause of cracking or splitting of nails. If you are exposing your nails to water for long periods of time, you can wear disposable plastic gloves during those periods. The gloves will also prevent contact with harsh chemicals that could harm your nails. Therefore, whenever you use dish washing liquids or other detergents that could cause damage to your nails, make it a point to wear gloves.

If you use nail polish removers a lot, you might want to switch to ones that do not contain acetone. This is because acetone can dry your nails and cause cracking and splitting. Limit your use of nail removers to improve the condition of your nails.

Finally, keep your nails trimmed at all times. If you find any spitting, immediately trim the ragged edges to keep them from cracking further. Adopting these measures will help remedy the condition and produce healthy nails that you can be proud of.

Toan Ho