Find out what to do to avoid brittle nails

Daily nail care is often forgotten, but it has a direct impact on the health and appearance of your hands. Brittle nails can appear at any age and are generally linked to simple everyday habits, such as excessive contact with water, aggressive cleaning products or even an unbalanced diet. Understanding the causes is the first step in knowing what to do to prevent your nails from breaking easily.

When the nail is fragile, it flakes, flakes at the ends and loses its natural shine. In many cases, it’s not just a cosmetic problem: it can signal a lack of certain nutrients or constant exposure to agents that dry out the area. Strengthening your nails therefore involves both external care and attention to the general health of the body.

What to do to avoid brittle nails on a daily basis?

To reduce breakage, it’s important to create a simple nail protection routine. Small changes in household chores, the way you sand, or contact with chemicals can reduce brittleness. This daily treatment does not require expensive products, but rather regularity and attention to detail.

Certain actions help prevent nails from peeling and breaking easily:

• Wear gloves when washing dishes, clothes or handling cleaning products;
• Avoid biting your nails and cuticles, a habit which weakens and deforms the blade;
• Don’t use your nails as a tool to open cans, scratch surfaces or remove labels;
• Reduce prolonged contact with hot waterwhich dries and makes the nail more porous;
• Take breaks from using nail polish and removersallowing the nail to breathe and recover.

Could brittle nails be a sign of a lack of nutrients?

Diet has a direct impact on the formation of nails, because they are mainly composed of keratin, a protein produced by the body. When the diet is low in vitamins, minerals and proteins, the nail may grow more slowly, become thin, opaque and break easily. In some cases, frailty may also be associated with health conditions that require professional assessment.

Among the nutrients most associated with strengthening nails are:

• Proteins (such as those present in meat, eggs, legumes and dairy products), essential for the production of keratin;
• Biotin and other B vitamins, found in eggs, oats, nuts and seeds;
• Ironfound in red meat, beans, lentils and dark green vegetables;
• Zinc and seleniumwhich participate in cellular renewal processes;
• Vitamins A, C and Elinked to the integrity of the skin and nails.

If a nutritional deficiency is suspected, it is recommended to seek professional advice for evaluation, examinations and possible use of supplements, always with adequate monitoring. Additionally, simple changes in your eating routine often help your nails grow stronger as the months pass.

What treatments strengthen fragile and brittle nails?

In addition to diet, there are specific precautions that help prevent nail fragility. Hydration is one of the main aspects, as the cuticle and nail area tends to dry out easily, especially in air-conditioned environments, dry climates or in contact with detergents. Frequent hydration helps maintain the blade’s natural flexibility, reducing cracking and chipping.

Among the most recommended measures to strengthen your nails are:

1. Moisturize daily nails and cuticles with specific creams or oils;
2. Prefer acetone-free nail polish removerswhich damage the nail surface less;
3. Always sand in one directionavoiding back and forth movements which promote cracks;
4. Keep your nails medium or short while they are very fragile;
5. Avoid continuous glazingleaving spaces without enamel for recovery;
6. Use reinforcing foundationsrecommended by a professional, when necessary;
7. Taking care of cuticle healthby avoiding excessive harvesting and preserving the natural protection function of the region.

In situations where the nail breaks repeatedly, shows spots, deformations, marked color changes or pain, it is important to consult a dermatologist. Certain skin diseases, fungal infections or hormonal changes can manifest through the nails, requiring proper diagnosis and treatment.

Habits That Help Keep Your Nails Strong Longer

Keeping your nails firm and less prone to breakage depends on a consistent set of habits. The combination of protection against aggressive agents, good hydration, a balanced diet and attention to warning signs tends to bring progressive results. Even if the changes do not appear immediately, the new nail that grows over the weeks tends to become stronger when this treatment is maintained.

So, by adopting simple measures like wearing gloves, increasing daily hydration, paying attention to how you sand, and including nutrient-rich foods in your daily life, it is possible to significantly reduce nail brittleness. Careful observation of one’s own body and seeking professional advice in persistent cases complete this set of actions, promoting healthier and more resistant nails over time.