Doctors say that the state of a person’s health can be determined by the condition of the nails. Fragile, brittle, dry nails indicate a lack of vitamins and minerals in the body. The structure of the plate consists of keratin and a water-fat layer. Lack of moisture is manifested by stripes on the nail plate, spots, discoloration and loss of brightness and shine of the nail. Dehydration affects both the cuticle and the skin around the fingers. The main cause of nail problems is considered to be a deficiency of vitamins and minerals. But external influences also play an important role on the condition of the nail plate.
Causes
The main factors leading to dry nails are:
- Aggressive dishwashing and apartment cleaning products containing acids and alkalis spoil the top layer of the nail and dry out the skin around it.
- Working with soil.
- Mechanical pedicure, grinding and treatment with harsh abrasives cause microtrauma to the nail and cuticle.
- Varnish, acrylic coatings and nail polish removers containing acetone-containing elements dry the top layer of the nail.
- Metabolic disorders and disruption of the endocrine system have a negative impact on the condition of the nail plate.
- Nail fungus and skin diseases cause damage to the nail by viruses and microbes.
If the problem is caused by external irritants, then solving it will not be difficult in most cases. It is enough to eliminate exposure to an aggressive environment and carry out the necessary restoration procedures.
Diseases of the body
Peeling of the skin around the nails is not always so harmless. Sometimes this may indicate the presence of a chronic disease in the body. Such as diabetes mellitus, for example. In addition, the following diseases may manifest themselves in a similar way:
Cracks around nails
- Hormonal imbalances;
- Metabolic disease;
- Diseases of the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract;
- Eczema (may appear like this in the early stages);
- Thyroid diseases.
If the cause of the cracks is one of these diseases, then you should not self-medicate. In addition to peeling, skin cracks may also occur. They can bleed, hurt, and cause significant discomfort. If they do not go away long enough, it is better to contact a specialist.
Treatment
A dry nail plate is dangerous because the cracks that appear on it deepen over time and serve as a real gateway for fungal infections and bacteria. Once the condition of the hands is neglected, the skin and nails will imperceptibly reach a bleeding, painful state.
With 99% confidence, we can say that you will need a course of taking vitamin-mineral complexes with a high content of vitamins A, E, D. If the problem was caught at the beginning, then perhaps you can saturate the body with vitamins using food. Vegetables and fruits, fish and beef liver, bread with bran and cereal sprouts should be added to the diet.
The use of cosmetic moisturizers and home remedies from available substances helps to cope with dryness of the nails and the skin around them.
Folk
Baths, masks and hand care creams can be bought in pharmacies, beauty salons or made from improvised products.
Baths
If your nails become thin and begin to peel, a bath of regular table salt will help. You need to add a little salt to warm water and hold your hands for about 15 minutes. Salt kills infections and promotes the accumulation of moisture. Baths made from medicinal plants and essential oils are good for disinfecting nail plates and moisturizing the skin:
- Chamomile decoction;
- Oak bark decoction;
- Tea tree oil;
- Decoction of potatoes with the addition of a few drops of vegetable oil.
The temperature of the healing liquid should be comfortable for the hands. After the procedure, wash your hands with warm water and lubricate with nourishing cream.
Masks
Often, after cooking, pieces of boiled and fresh vegetables and fruits remain. This waste can be successfully used to nourish the nails and skin of the hands. Just mash a piece of vegetable, add vegetable oil and apply to your hands. Keep the mask for 10-15 minutes and rinse with warm water.
Blue clay is considered an excellent product for cosmetic masks. They can be used no more than once a week. Dilute a spoonful of clay powder with warm water and add a few drops of olive oil. If there are microcracks, it is recommended to add a couple of drops of pharmaceutical iodine or tea tree oil. This will help further protect the nail from fungal infection. You can keep the mask on your hands for no more than 30 minutes. After this, rinse with warm water and apply nourishing cream to your hands.
Wax masks at night do an excellent job of exfoliating the nail plates and nourishing the skin around them. They can also be used to treat dry toenails. Heat the beeswax in a water bath, add half a teaspoon of honey or a little salt. Dip your fingers into the melted wax for a few seconds and let cool. Wear soft gloves (wear socks when treating feet). Apply the mask throughout the night no more than once every three days. In the morning, just wash off the mask with very warm water.
Hand care is quite simple and does not take much time. Alternating treatments will help prevent dryness problems.
Home treatment of nails with folk remedies
The easiest to perform and most affordable is nail treatment at home. The main thing is to perform such procedures regularly. There are many options for dealing with split nails at home. Let's look at some recipes on how to strengthen your nails at home:
Purifying mask with vitamin A
Ingredients:
- apple cider vinegar – 0.5 teaspoon;
- sunflower oil – 1 tablespoon;
- salt - 1 teaspoon;
- vitamin A – 2 drops.
Mode of application:
- Heat the oil, but do not bring it to a boil.
- Cool the hot oil and add salt to it.
- Pour vinegar into the mixture of oil and salt and add vitamin A.
- Rub the prepared mask diligently into your nails and leave for 15 minutes.
- Reusable mask. Must be stored in the refrigerator.
- It is recommended to use this mask daily to eliminate layering and achieve the effect after 7 days.
Result of use: Nourishing the nail plate, saturating it with vitamins, cleansing and whitening, preventing new delamination, caring for the skin of the hands.
Mask with whitening effect, providing nutrition
Ingredients:
- lemon – 1 piece;
- olive oil – 1 teaspoon;
- sea salt – 1 teaspoon.
Mode of application:
- Squeeze juice from lemon.
- Add olive oil to the resulting juice.
- Add a spoonful of sea salt to the resulting mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Apply the finished mask to the skin of your hands and nails. Rub in with massage movements and leave for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash off the mask with warm water.
- Apply the mask every day for 7 days.
Result of use: Saturation of the nail plate with healing microelements, strengthening, increasing density and elasticity, whitening effect.
Bath for brittle and peeling nails with a strengthening effect
Ingredients:
- water – 1 glass (250 ml);
- soda – 1 tablespoon;
- iodine – 0.5 teaspoon.
Mode of application:
- Heat the water to a temperature of 35–40 degrees.
- Add soda to hot water.
- Add the required amount of iodine to the solution of soda and water.
- Place your hands in the prepared bath for 5–7 minutes.
- Recommended frequency of use is 2 times a week.
Result of use: Cleansing of impurities, softening the skin of the hands, eliminating delamination.
Vegetable bath
Ingredients:
- cabbage juice – 0.5 cups (125 ml);
- potato juice – 0.5 cup (125 ml).
Mode of application:
- Shred the cabbage.
- Pass shredded cabbage through a juicer or meat grinder to form juice.
- Pass the potatoes through a juicer or grate them and then squeeze them in cheesecloth to form juice.
- Mix the resulting juice of both vegetables.
- Immerse your hands in the bath for 10–15 minutes.
Result of use: Nourishes the nails and skin of the hands, strengthens the plate, eliminates delamination.
The problem of nail plate delamination can affect not only adult women and men, but also children. There are many reasons for this nail damage, both in infants and older children.
Let's consider the main ones:
- In the case of separation of only 1 nail, most often on the thumb at the base. Most likely, the reason is a previous bruise or injury of any nature. A change in the color of the nail plate may indicate an impact or squeezing of the finger - it may be bluish or blackened.
- In situations where separation of the nails on the baby’s feet is determined, when crawling or walking the child probably bends the tip of the nail, because it is not cut short enough. The solution to this problem is to carefully cut your nails.
- If your child has noticeable delamination and his nails are breaking, and you are sure that you are cutting them correctly, you should see a dermatologist to determine if the child has a mycotic lesion.
- When the nails peel off on all the baby’s fingers and toes, you need to urgently go to the hospital. Such symptoms may indicate pathology of the digestive or hepatobiliary system.
- Dr. Komarovsky claims that hypovitaminosis or vitamin deficiency can lead to splitting of nails. Sometimes visual changes in the nail can tell you which vitamins or microelements are not entering the body. If the nails turn yellow or have white spots in the middle, this is a Zn deficiency. When the nail plate peels and breaks, this is a calcium deficiency. Separation of the nail from the middle - lack of I, Zn, Si, lack of vitamin D.
- The most common reason that children's nails peel is because many children suck their fingers. The result of sucking is maceration of the nail, the platinum swells and splits.
Prevention
You can avoid problems with brittle nails and cuticles by following some simple rules.
- When using aggressive products with acids to care for dishes and household items, be sure to wear rubber gloves.
- When working with soil in the country, in the garden or when caring for indoor flowers, you must use gloves and immediately lubricate them with nutrients after washing your hands.
- For manicure (pedicure), use clean hygiene equipment.
- Don’t forget to treat your hands with antiseptics after a manicure to avoid the risk of fungal infections.
- Use high quality nail polishes and acrylics.
Hands are considered a mirror reflecting the state of human health. Therefore, if your nails begin to peel or break, you should consult a doctor to eliminate the risk of developing diseases.
Diagnosis of dry nails and finger skin
It is important to carefully examine the nail plate to identify the following signs:
- the nail has no shine, is cloudy;
- there are vertical stripes on the nails;
- whitish spots all over the nail;
- lack of smoothness of the nail plate.
These symptoms indicate that the nails lack natural moisture. Nails consist of three layers, the first of which are soft and hard keratin. Between them there is a water-fat composition. If any component is missing, delamination occurs. This problem is more serious. Healing the nail plate becomes more complicated than simply increasing the moisture content between the layers of the nail.
Often, lack of moisture in the body affects the skin around the nails. Redness and peeling appear on it. Sometimes there is severe pain from cracks and wounds. This means that the skin loses its elasticity due to dehydration. The cuticle is also susceptible to moisture loss, resulting in painful hangnails appearing on the fingers. It is wrong to think that only the hands suffer from such troubles. Manifestations of moisture deficiency are also possible on the feet, resulting in the appearance of cracks, wounds, and brittleness of the nail plate. In the case of toenails, the reasons may be more serious.
Causes of cracking skin around nails and treatment methods
It is difficult to imagine a full-fledged image of a woman without well-groomed hand skin, which is difficult to achieve by plunging into household chores. In this article you can find out why the skin on the fingers near the nails cracks and how to treat it. Cracks in the fingers near the nails occur for various reasons, including external irritants and internal factors.
Causes of cracks in the skin around the nails
Prolonged stay in an aquatic environment is one of the causes of skin cracks near the nails. When exposed to water, wounds take a long time to heal. Direct contact with household chemicals and temperature changes often cause cracks and peeling of the skin of the hands near the nails. If the skin around the nails cracks for these reasons, getting rid of the problem is simple - you need to limit the influence of negative factors on the skin of the fingers. The method is relevant for mild cases.
When the skin on the fingers near the nails bursts due to internal factors, comprehensive treatment is necessary. In these cases, the damage to the skin is especially severe. Causes of cracks in the skin:
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- psoriasis;
- hypovitaminosis;
- diseases affecting metabolism - diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, steroid diabetes, hypo- or hyperfunction of the thyroid gland;
- hormonal imbalance;
- eczema;
- fungus;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
When peeling, cracking of the skin around the nails due to internal causes or diseases, areas of peeling spread throughout the body. Extensive cracks in the body may bleed, and symptoms of an inflammatory reaction appear around them. Damage caused by internal factors is difficult to hide using cosmetics and requires treatment.
Prevention
To avoid the problem of flaky, cracked skin near the fingernails, it is necessary to care for the skin using creams and products containing nutrients and other substances necessary for human skin. The choice of cream depends on the type of skin. The cream protects from external influences and moisturizes the upper epidermal layer. Particular attention should be paid to the cuticle; by lubricating its area in a timely manner, you can prevent the occurrence of cracks that begin to appear in this area most often.
Protection from external influences is an important measure for cracked finger skin. Rubber gloves when contacting household products, mittens in winter. It is necessary to protect your hands from chapping. After tanning or staying in a dry environment, it is worth moisturizing your hands. Using cream or lotion after washing your hands is a good method of prevention.
When fingers crack near the nails, the reason may be a lack of vitamins B5, A, E. Nutrition plays an important role in prevention and treatment. To replenish vitamins you need to consume:
- sunflower, butter;
- cereals;
- egg yolk;
- cod fish species;
- chicken, pig liver.
If desired, you can purchase vitamins in tablet form.
Treatment
Cracks on the fingers near the nails are treated by a dermatologist, who should be visited at the first symptoms. You can cure yourself at home, but if the cause of the cracks is a chronic disease or internal factors, a specialist will select the necessary treatment methods.
First, it is worth replacing everyday skin cosmetics with pharmacy creams and ointments that have a healing effect. These products stop the spread of cracks and peeling on the skin of the hands and promote their rapid healing.
Rubbing vegetable oils onto the affected skin under the nails also helps in treating cracks. Vegetable oils based on chamomile, peach, and castor oil have healing properties. Rub vegetable oils until complete recovery several times a day.
A compress based on vegetable oil: soak a cotton pad in chamomile, peach, or castor oil, wrap the affected area of the skin of the fingers, and put on cotton gloves. The compress is applied at night and removed in the morning. After the compress, your hands should be rinsed and lubricated with nourishing cream.
A fat mask is an effective remedy when the skin around the fingernails cracks, regardless of the cause of the symptoms. To do this, you can use fish oil, which is also suitable for rubbing and compresses. When using this product, the main thing is not to wash it off your hands for 3 hours. The mask and compress are applied in the morning and evening; rubbing can be done several times a day.
When the skin around the nail peels off, you can use paraffin. Preparation and use of the product: melt a little cosmetic paraffin in a water bath. Having lubricated areas of healthy skin with protective cream, immerse your fingertips in melted paraffin. After 15 minutes, pull out your fingers without rinsing and wrap them in cling film. Before the paraffin cools, you should wrap your hands in a towel or put on mittens. When the paraffin has cooled, remove it from your hands. The procedure is applied 2 times a week.
Is the skin around your fingernails cracking due to chronic diseases? A mask containing honey and glycerin is an effective treatment that helps improve the general condition of the skin. Preparation, use: mix 100 g of glycerin, 100 ml of water, 50 g of honey. Next, add flour to the product to make the mask thick. Apply the mask to the affected area and wash off after 20 minutes.
Preparing a mask without glycerin: mix 100 grams of flour and honey, add vegetable oil. Apply the mask to the area of the cracked fingers, after putting on gloves. Leave the product overnight and remove it in the morning.
Remember that consulting a doctor in a timely manner is better than being sick for a long time, causing great harm to the body; ignoring problems is not a solution.
Source of dehydration of nails and skin around them
Before you start using various remedies, you need to determine why the problem occurred. The main causes of nail problems:
- use of chemicals in everyday life (washing dishes, hand washing);
- frequent use of an acetone-containing solution to remove nail polish;
- daily excess moisture when solving household tasks (dishes, wet cleaning);
- applying low-quality nail polish;
- use of an inappropriate file, incorrect filing procedure;
- deficiency of microelements necessary for the body;
- diseases of the endocrine system.
If the skin around the fingers and cuticles are also problematic, the following reasons are possible:
- improper care of hands and cuticles;
- using soap with alkaline or antibacterial substances;
- non-compliance with the principles of healthy eating;
- presence of fungal infection.
Brittle nails, cuticles with hangnails, or dry skin on the toes may indicate dangerous diseases such as fungus, psoriasis, eczema, reactions to medications, and the development of diabetes.
It is important not to neglect the problem and consult a doctor. If they rule out problems with internal organs, the problem can be solved without their intervention.
Reasons for the problem
There can be several reasons for the appearance of dry skin around the fingernails:
- weakened immune system;
- poor nutrition;
- influence of chemicals.
Secondary factors will help identify the cause of this symptom. If inflammation, redness, and itching also appear on the skin of the hands, then the person most likely has a fungal infection. It may even be accompanied by blackening of the area around the nails. In this case, you should not self-medicate; you should immediately consult a doctor.
Nutrition as a factor in dry skin
Amino acids are responsible for the growth of epidermal cells in the human body; their lack leads to dry skin.
You can reduce the amount of amino acids you receive through diet. A change in diet affects the functioning of the immune system, which will provoke a peculiar reaction in the form of peeling of the skin of the hands around the nails. The lack of vitamins B, A and E, which are responsible for the elasticity and beauty of the skin, also affects its appearance. Improper nutrition deprives the body of essential microelements and minerals, which provokes metabolic disorders in the body. Therefore, a person needs to eat proteins every day; they are the building blocks of the body that create the skin. Lack of proteins causes dryness of the epidermis. Fats are responsible for the elasticity of the epidermis; they also need to be included in the diet in the right quantity in accordance with the individual characteristics of the body.
How household chemicals affect the skin
If the skin around your fingernails is dry, the cause may be the aggressive effects of household chemicals. Washing dishes or cleaning an apartment without protective gloves exposes the skin of your hands to negative effects. It gets rough, so you need to wear rubber gloves when doing housework.
Other reasons
The skin of the hands around the nails dries and cracks due to the negative influence of weather factors. Sudden changes in temperature, exposure to direct sunlight, and low air humidity provoke peeling of the epidermis. Cold and dry air dry out the skin. Frequent hand washing has the same consequences, since the alkaline environment of soap constantly washes away the protective layer of the skin.
Hand creams can not only save the healthy appearance of your hands, but also harm them. Individual incompatibility of components can cause peeling and further development of the problem.
Many people are concerned about dry skin around their fingernails. The causes may also have their roots in the following chronic diseases:
- hormonal disbalance;
- diabetes;
- metabolic failure;
- disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
Presence of dry and brittle nails in children
This problem occurs not only in adults. She also often lies in wait for children. A torn cuticle is very painful for a child. The reason for this is considered to be the tenderness of children's skin. Often the precursor to dryness, brittleness of the nail plate, and cracks on a child’s fingers is a fungus that must be treated immediately. The digestive organs should be checked.
A deficiency of zinc, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus can also affect a child’s nails.
If no obvious diseases are detected, you can reconsider the child’s diet. The baby's diet needs oils, nuts, eggs, dried fruits, fish, buckwheat, and oatmeal. Vitamin deficiency is overcome with the help of specialized vitamin preparations.
Important: Approach the problem comprehensively. Use any vegetable oil (1-2 drops) for daily rubbing and nail bath (2-3 times a week).
To prepare the bath you will need lemon juice (1 tsp), iodine (2 drops), glycerin (100 g). These ingredients should be warmed up a little, and the child’s fingers should be immersed in them for 10 minutes. After the procedure, wash your hands in warm water and wipe with a towel. This action greatly strengthens the child’s brittle nails. It is very important to maintain regularity of procedures.
The problem of dry nails in adults and children
Dry nails bother many people, especially in winter and spring. Dry nail plate is often accompanied by problems with the cuticle and skin around the fingers. Sometimes this phenomenon is observed on the legs.
Adults and children are susceptible to dry nails.
What should you do if your child develops cracks in the skin around the nails and painful hangnails due to dryness? It is necessary to find out the causes and ways to solve this problem.
Diagnosis of dry nails and finger skin
It is important to carefully examine the nail plate to identify the following signs:
- the nail has no shine, is cloudy;
- there are vertical stripes on the nails;
- whitish spots all over the nail;
- lack of smoothness of the nail plate.
These symptoms indicate that the nails lack natural moisture. Nails consist of three layers, the first of which are soft and hard keratin. Between them there is a water-fat composition. If any component is missing, delamination occurs. This problem is more serious. Healing the nail plate becomes more complicated than simply increasing the moisture content between the layers of the nail.
Often, lack of moisture in the body affects the skin around the nails. Redness and peeling appear on it. Sometimes there is severe pain from cracks and wounds. This means that the skin loses its elasticity due to dehydration.
The cuticle is also susceptible to moisture loss, resulting in painful hangnails appearing on the fingers. It is wrong to think that only the hands suffer from such troubles.
Manifestations of moisture deficiency are also possible on the feet, resulting in the appearance of cracks, wounds, and brittleness of the nail plate. In the case of toenails, the reasons may be more serious.
Source of dehydration of nails and skin around them
Before you start using various remedies, you need to determine why the problem occurred. The main causes of nail problems:
- use of chemicals in everyday life (washing dishes, hand washing);
- frequent use of an acetone-containing solution to remove nail polish;
- daily excess moisture when solving household tasks (dishes, wet cleaning);
- applying low-quality nail polish;
- use of an inappropriate file, incorrect filing procedure;
- deficiency of microelements necessary for the body;
- diseases of the endocrine system.
If the skin around the fingers and cuticles are also problematic, the following reasons are possible:
- improper care of hands and cuticles;
- using soap with alkaline or antibacterial substances;
- non-compliance with the principles of healthy eating;
- presence of fungal infection.
Brittle nails, cuticles with hangnails, or dry skin on the toes may indicate dangerous diseases such as fungus, psoriasis, eczema, reactions to medications, and the development of diabetes.
It is important not to neglect the problem and consult a doctor. If they rule out problems with internal organs, the problem can be solved without their intervention.
Presence of dry and brittle nails in children
This problem occurs not only in adults. She also often lies in wait for children. A torn cuticle is very painful for a child. The reason for this is considered to be the tenderness of children's skin. Often the precursor to dryness, brittleness of the nail plate, and cracks on a child’s fingers is a fungus that must be treated immediately. The digestive organs should be checked.
A deficiency of zinc, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus can also affect a child’s nails.
If no obvious diseases are detected, you can reconsider the child’s diet. The baby's diet needs oils, nuts, eggs, dried fruits, fish, buckwheat, and oatmeal. Vitamin deficiency is overcome with the help of specialized vitamin preparations.
Important: Approach the problem comprehensively. Use any vegetable oil (1-2 drops) for daily rubbing and nail bath (2-3 times a week).
To prepare the bath you will need lemon juice (1 tsp), iodine (2 drops), glycerin (100 g). These ingredients should be warmed up a little, and the child’s fingers should be immersed in them for 10 minutes. After the procedure, wash your hands in warm water and wipe with a towel. This action greatly strengthens the child’s brittle nails. It is very important to maintain regularity of procedures.
Self-treatment for dry hands and nails
Dry fingernails require special attention. To heal in natural, home conditions, you can use various products to care for your nails and the skin around them. The nail plate needs vitamins A and E.
You can buy them at the pharmacy, add them to any vegetable oil, and then rub them into your nails and the skin around them.
Baths and natural masks at home are inexpensive, but the effectiveness of their use is not inferior to expensive salon procedures.
Baths for treating dry hands and feet
Boiled potato bath. Stir 1 cooked crushed potato tuber, 2 cups of water and 1 cup of milk. If desired, you can add olive or burdock oil (1 tsp). Place your hands in the mixture for 20 minutes.
After such a bath, your hands should be rinsed with warm water, wiped with a soft cloth, and lubricated with liquid cream.
The skin on your fingers and palms will stop peeling if you use starch baths. Add 1 tbsp to a liter of water (45–50 degrees). l. potato starch. Soak your hands in the solution for 15 minutes, then wipe them with a soft cloth and lubricate them with a rich (nourishing) cream.
Sea salt and essential oil help increase blood circulation and strengthen the nail plate. It is recommended to include lemon oil, tea tree leaves, burdock, ylang-ylang, and coniferous trees in the composition.
Important: Essential oil must first be diluted in vegetable oil (1-2 drops of essential oil, 1 tsp of any vegetable oil).
Strengthening bath. Dissolve sea salt (2 tbsp) and oil mixture in 1 liter of water (45–50 degrees). Essential oils must be chosen very carefully, taking into account the possibility of an allergic reaction.
Fingers should be immersed in the solution for 15 minutes. You can massage your fingers at the same time. You need to do such baths 2-3 times a week. Dry nails no longer bother you.
The cuticle from such procedures is also noticeably softened.
Masks to improve the condition of nails and finger skin
Cracks on the fingers can be easily treated with various masks at home. The ingredients can be very diverse.
Nutrition of the nail plate and cuticle occurs simultaneously with the skin of the hands.
A wax mask is carried out in the salon and at home. To begin with, you should heat the pieces of wax by steaming or using a water bath, then cool the wax and stick your fingers into it.
Next, take them out and wait until the wax hardens on your fingers. You can wear cotton gloves on your hands. This mask remains on the fingers until the morning, then is washed off with water. The procedure can be performed every two to three days.
A blue clay mask is carried out in a weekly course. For this, 2 tsp. clays are mixed with 2 tsp. olive oil, 2 drops of iodine tincture. This mixture is rubbed into the nail plate for 15–20 minutes, then washed off with warm water.
For 7–10 days, you can rub oils into your nails, the skin around them, and cuticles daily. This procedure is very useful for both adults and children. You can use olive, avocado, burdock, lemon, and sea buckthorn oils as a basis. Rub the oil into dry nails and cuticles, 2 drops before bed.
In addition to external treatments, dry skin around the nails, nails and cuticles are supported by proper nutrition containing complex carbohydrates and fats. Brittle nails, hangnails, and cracked fingers will no longer bother you if baths and other manipulations at home become regular.
Source: https://nogotochie.ru/uxod-za-nogtyami/problema-suhih-nogtey.html
Self-treatment for dry hands and nails
Dry fingernails require special attention. To heal in natural, home conditions, you can use various products to care for your nails and the skin around them. The nail plate needs vitamins A and E. You can buy them at the pharmacy, add them to any vegetable oil, and then rub them into the nails and the skin around them. Baths and natural masks at home are inexpensive, but the effectiveness of their use is not inferior to expensive salon procedures.
Baths for treating dry hands and feet
Boiled potato bath. Stir 1 cooked crushed potato tuber, 2 cups of water and 1 cup of milk. If desired, you can add olive or burdock oil (1 tsp). Place your hands in the mixture for 20 minutes.
After such a bath, your hands should be rinsed with warm water, wiped with a soft cloth, and lubricated with liquid cream.
The skin on your fingers and palms will stop peeling if you use starch baths. Add 1 tbsp to a liter of water (45–50 degrees). l. potato starch. Soak your hands in the solution for 15 minutes, then wipe them with a soft cloth and lubricate them with a rich (nourishing) cream.
Vitamin bath. For the bath, dilute lemon juice (2 tbsp) and the same amount of sea salt in a glass of water (45–50 degrees), add grape seed oil (2–3 drops). Warm your fingers in this liquid for 15 minutes. After completing the procedure, you should dry your fingers with a towel and apply any nourishing cream. Such baths are recommended to be carried out once a week.
Cracks on fingers near nails
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Eight out of ten people have encountered such a problem as cracks on their fingers near the nails. This is a difficult situation when doing even simple work causes pain.
Skin is the largest organ of the human body. One of its seven functions is protective. But as a result of damage to the upper layer of the epidermis, microbes enter the body, causing inflammation. Therefore, it is important to monitor the integrity of the skin.
However, there may be times when cracks arise due to internal destructive conditions. And in order to prevent the occurrence of damage or get rid of them in a short time, it is advisable to know about the causes and treatment of the pathology.
Why do they appear
As mentioned above, there are two factors for the appearance of cracks in adults and children. Each is divided into types. Although the symptoms are similar, they have different origins. Let's take a closer look at why damage occurs.
External
- Mechanical. Appears in people engaged in agricultural work. From constant contact with earth and water, the skin of the hands becomes rough, dries, and cracks. Workers in production are also at risk, since frequent contact with metal cutting surfaces, machine oil, and wood shavings provokes damage to the epidermis.
- Sudden temperature changes. Cracks near the fingernails more often appear when you spend a long time outside in frosty or windy weather. And if, after a walk, frozen limbs are applied to a heating radiator or stove, then damage will occur twice as quickly. Because blood microcirculation is disrupted. The wounds quickly deepen, the skin around it becomes rough, as can be seen in the photo. If you do not react in time, the treatment will take a long time.
- Household chemicals. Many cleaning products and detergents, as well as washing powders and soaps, contain alkali or abrasive substances. After interacting with them, allergic reactions, dryness and cracking of the skin are possible.
- Poor quality care. Too frequent or infrequent hand washing, rough peeling, inept handling of manicure accessories are factors in the occurrence of pathology.
Domestic
The causes of dryness and damage to the epidermis lie in the human body. In diseases of the endocrine system, hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal tract, anxiety conditions associated with central nervous system disease, the skin becomes inflamed and becomes covered with cracks.
Damage appears both at the nail bed and throughout the hand. Deficiency of vitamins: A, B7, E, as well as magnesium and Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as a result of poor nutrition, favors the development of pathology. Cracking and peeling cause various skin diseases. These include eczema, psoriasis and fungal infections.
It all starts with dry skin on the hands, gradually moving to other parts of the body. The presence of tapeworms in the body, along with the listed reasons, also favors cracking of the skin.
Reviews from dermatologists boil down to one thing: “the sooner a specialist makes an accurate diagnosis, the better and more effective, and most importantly, the therapy will proceed without unnecessary pain.”
Prevention
Prevention of pathology is a key point in treatment. External pathogens such as hard water, household chemicals, cold and too dry air should be avoided.
Depending on the season, it is recommended to lubricate your hands with a moisturizing or nourishing cream and wipe dry after washing. When caring for nail plates, use professional manicure accessories.
Therapy
Treatment of cracks in the fingers is carried out after a dermatologist identifies the exact factors causing the disease. The main procedures and dosage forms against excessive dry hands are compresses, masks, wraps, ointments and vitamins that are added to therapeutic baths.
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In case of slight dehydration of the upper layer of the epidermis, store-bought hand creams are used, which contain extracts of chamomile, celandine, and animal fat.
It is desirable that cosmetic products also contain natural oils: jojoba, coconut, tea tree. They moisturize and soften the skin. If you have vitamin deficiency, eat foods high in vitamins E, A, and D. Drink plenty of water.
Baths. An affordable method useful for softening and healing wounds. Only natural ingredients are allowed for preparation. Among them: tea tree oil, olive oil, lemon juice, vitamins A and E. Baths are best done before bed. The duration is a quarter of an hour. After the procedure, wipe your hands dry and lubricate with a suitable cream.
Compresses and masks. Done alternately with other home remedies. Ingredients: honey, milk, potatoes, vegetable oil. Unlike baths, where hands are immersed in water, the mixture is applied to the skin and wrapped in polyethylene. After 20 minutes, remove the paste and rinse your hands with warm water or milk.
Medications
If for some reason preventive measures did not help, then you should pay attention to medications. There are dozens of drugs on pharmacy shelves that fight cracks, but not all of them have proven themselves to be the best.
Time-tested Panthenol, F-99, Boroplus and BF-6 restore the skin and disinfect affected areas.
Opinions
Denis: “I’ve been suffering from cracks in my hands for a long time. Creams and ointments did not help. The wife's brother heard the cry for help. He, too, was faced with an illness, and was always looking for an effective way. To the question “how to get rid of it?” I found a simple answer - BF pharmaceutical glue.
A small tube of the product is sold in city pharmacies for less than 100 rubles! The instructions turned out to be easy: the crack in the skin is slightly moved apart and a drop of glue is applied to it. Thanks to the alcohol contained in the composition, the wound is disinfected, the pain goes away quickly, and the vulnerable spot does not increase in size. Everything disappears in 3-5 days. I advise everyone to use this method.”
Zarina: “I work in a laboratory with chemicals. I always wore protective gloves, but the skin on my fingers still periodically dried out and cracked. At the beginning of my career, nourishing creams like “Velvet Handles” saved my life. But over time they stopped working.
I asked my senior colleagues: “What should I do in this case?” They advised to use pharmaceutical preparations containing large amounts of vitamin A. At the same time, take baths at night with the addition of tea tree oil. On the tenth day of the procedures, the wounds began to heal, the skin softened. Now this problem is not so acute because I have suitable protective equipment.”
Ira: “At a certain period of my life, the skin began to dry out very much, even crack in some places, then I turned to medical books. I found a simple way to treat the epidermis.
At night, hands are generously smeared with glycerin, latex gloves are put on, and fabric gloves are put on top. At first, the skin of my hands stung, but the pain quickly passed. Two weeks later everything returned to normal. There were no side effects from the procedure, so you can safely use the substance.”
Conclusion
It is better to deal with the problem at the first stage than later, when it has grown. Before starting therapy, you should consult a dermatologist and find out the exact cause.
But if you don’t care about the skin, don’t take care of it, neglect protective equipment and doctor’s advice, then the treatment will drag on for many months and even years.
Non-pathological causes
Why do my toenails crumble? One of the most common reasons is wearing tight, closed and uncomfortable shoes. In it, the nails are constantly exposed to mechanical stress, so the regeneration process accelerates, there are too many new cells, the nail plate extends beyond the bed, and upward growth begins. Then the thickening and yellow tint are clearly noticeable. In some cases, longitudinal lines and cracks appear.
Many girls, after removing gel polish or false nails, cannot boast of the beauty of their nails. As a rule, everything depends on the professionalism of the master; such mistakes are often made by novice specialists. Girls are not recommended to skimp on varnish. In the case of nails, quality should come first.
Lack of iron in the body often causes toenails to crumble and peel. This is especially true for the big toe, both on the feet and on the hands. The same symptoms can be observed if a person has a weakened immune system; as a rule, with the deterioration of nails, there is a deterioration in the condition of the hair and skin. Lack of sulfur, vitamin C, and B vitamins also negatively affects the condition of nails.
Some medications can cause negative effects on the nail plates. Do not forget that heredity plays an important role.
How to soften toenails at home?
A healthy human nail is thin, smooth and shiny. The nails on the feet are somewhat thicker than on the hands. With age, the nail plates become coarser and become denser. It is difficult to cut them, so they use products that help make them soft.
Thickening, accompanied by deformation of the plate, discoloration, crumbling, peeling of the periungual area - all this indicates onychomycosis. This is nail fungus. Taking care of your nails with this disease is even more difficult.
And cutting your hair turns into torture. There are many reasons for thickening nails. These include fungal infection, poor diet, and wearing shoes that don't fit properly. In older people, hard nails are normal.
You can cut your hair only after steaming it in a hot bath.
How to soften toenails in older people and why do it? What drugs and remedies will help make nails soft with fungal infection? We will answer these questions in detail.
Why do my toenails become hard and yellow?
There are many reasons why toenails thicken, become harder and acquire a yellowish tint. Some causes can be eliminated without the intervention of doctors, others only with the help of a professional doctor.
- Nail fungus . Fungal disease is a common cause of this type of problem. Such an infection simply cannot be ignored. Because the nails become much thicker, plus they change their shade. There is also pain at the site. The skin near the nail itches and swells. And the feet themselves give off an unpleasant odor.
- Stressful situations and poor diet. Severe stress can significantly weaken the human body. A busy schedule at work and strong emotions very often lead to mental distress. Nails become thicker, turn yellow, and also change their shape, peel and break. Often small depressions or growths appear. The whole situation can be aggravated by a disrupted diet: after a strict diet or overeating.
- Diseases in the body. Nails become thicker, loose and deformed very often due to eczema or psoriasis. If the nail has become thicker, yellowed, or changed shape, then you need to think about circulatory problems. This may be caused by a bacterial disease, metabolic disorder, or diabetes.
- Blood circulation is impaired due to rather tight shoes and improper walking. Problems may still be hidden in a family-inherited skin disease, for example, polykeratosis. Due to a lack of keratin, nail plates become thicker and denser over time.
Elderly people are also advised to wear only comfortable, flat shoes. If the nail begins to grow into the skin, you will need to visit a doctor, since such a problem can lead to an inflammatory process. At home, you can steam your legs and try to remove the appendage.
Softening of toenails in older people
Thickening of the nail plates in older people occurs due to deformation of the feet and salt deposition in the body. An old person needs to carefully care for their feet so that their nails do not grow into the skin.
It is best to use the following methods:
- Applying compresses with aloe. This plant can moisturize even very hard, thick and old nails. Compresses can be made directly from the leaves of indoor aloe. For this procedure, you will need to place pieces of the plant on the nail plates and secure with adhesive tape.
- The use of celandine and iodine. It is necessary to mix these ingredients and apply them to keratinized nails. The mixture should be kept for 15-20 minutes.
- Using ultra-nourishing gel. Not every softening cream can cope with hard nails of pensioners. For these purposes, only deep-acting agents can be used.
Foot baths
The most popular way to soften hard toenails is with hot foot baths. After the procedure of steaming your feet, the nail plates soften and are easy to trim.
For better results, you can do one of the following baths at home:
- Soap and soda bath. Softens, relieves inflammation, has an antimycotic (antifungal) effect. You will need soda (3 tbsp.) and tar soap shavings (3 tbsp.). Warm 5 liters of water (not higher than 50C), add a soap-soda mixture, soak your feet for 20 minutes. This and all subsequent procedures are recommended to be performed every day for a week.
- Essential oil. The product helps soften the plate and has anti-inflammatory and antimycotic activity. It is best to use extracts of tea tree, patchouli, eucalyptus, and lavender. It is enough to add 3-5 drops of ether to warm water (2-3 liters) and lower the legs there for 20 minutes.
- Hydrogen peroxide. The product fights fungus, softens rough nail plates, calluses, and corns. Pour 5 tbsp into hot water (2 liters). l. peroxide. The procedure takes no more than 15 minutes. It is recommended to perform manipulations every other day, after which lubricate the feet with cream.
- Vinegar baths. The product softens nails and also fights the causative agent of the disease. Pour a glass of vinegar (250 ml) into warm water (2 liters), dip and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes.
- Herbal collection. Chamomile, sage, celandine and St. John's wort (1 tablespoon each) pour boiling water (2 liters), leave for about an hour. Strain the infusion and add the same amount of warm water. Carry out the procedure for about 20 minutes.
The time for bathing procedures is 15-20 minutes, until the water cools completely. During this time, the nails will become soft and can be easily cut off. It is worth noting that it is not recommended to add sea salt to the nail softening bath, as this procedure helps strengthen the nail plate.
Compresses
If an elderly person is unable to take a foot bath due to illness or other reasons, then you can soften a thick toenail at home using compresses:
- Compress using aloe. Wash the leaf torn from the plant and cut it. Apply the inner part to the nail. Secure the leaf with cling film, bandage or adhesive tape. It is better to apply this compress at night and remove it in the morning.
- Tea mushroom. Place a piece of mushroom on the problem area and secure with cling film or bandage. After 8 hours, the bandage can be removed. Trimming your nails after this procedure will be easy.
- Vinegar and vegetable oil. Both ingredients are mixed in equal proportions, soaked in gauze cloth and applied to the affected nail. They also wrap it in film, put on socks, and leave it overnight;
- With vinegar. Soak a cotton pad in apple cider vinegar or 9%. Apply to the damaged nail and wrap your foot with cling film, wearing a warm sock. After 4 hours, you can remove the compress. Next, wash your finger with clean water and apply nourishing cream.
Ointments and creams
To soften your toenails, you can use store-bought creams or ointments or prepare them yourself:
- Vitamin softening cream. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil, vitamin E and vitamin A to any nourishing fatty cream, apply to rough areas every day and file off the softened areas. This method is mainly used in the initial stages of thickening the nail plate.
- Homemade ointment. Take melted butter, natural beeswax, an onion, a clove of garlic and an aloe leaf. All components are finely chopped and mixed. The mixture is heated in a water bath for about 3 minutes, then left to cool. The feet are steamed in hot water for 15 minutes, wiped dry, ointment is applied to the nail plates, and the feet are wrapped in film and a warm blanket. The ointment is left on the nails overnight. In the morning, nails are trimmed. If the ossified tissue has not softened enough, the procedure is repeated up to 3-5 times.
- Ichthyol ointment or Vishnevsky ointment. For purulent inflammation and ingrown nails, ointments are applied according to the salicylic principle. They are also effective nail plate softeners.
- Salicylic ointment. The pharmacy sells 5% ointment, which is used when the nail plate is affected by fungus. The ointment is applied in a thick layer as a compress in the morning and evening after steaming the legs in a bath with manganese, soda or soap. The bandage is kept for 1 hour. Then remove the remaining ointment with a soft cloth.
- Uroderm ointment. A strong product containing urea, which can quickly soften keratinized areas. The ointment is applied to the thickenings 2 times a day in a thin layer. In advanced cases, an occlusive dressing is used. For fungal infections, the product is applied half an hour before applying topical fungicidal agents.
- Nailitis. A specially developed product that helps soften nails and trim affected areas without pain. The drug is applied after using a soda-soap bath. Apply it only to the nail, without touching the surrounding areas of the skin, seal it with a band-aid and leave it in this form for 3-4 days. After the specified time has passed, the patch is peeled off, a steam bath is taken again, and the soft parts of the nail plates are filed off.
- Kanespor complex. Consists of an anti-fungal preparation, a set of plasters and a scraper. The product is intended to combat thick nails and onychomycosis. The nail plate is treated with the healing solution once a day in accordance with the instructions for use. Within 7-14 hours, the nail completely softens and is removed, covering the wound with a bandage. The patch needs to be changed to a fresh one every day.
All the methods and techniques described above are aimed at eliminating the problem of hard and thick nails and alleviating the condition. But you definitely need to get rid of the reason that provoked this trouble, otherwise all efforts will bring only a temporary effect.
Prevention
Some tips on how to keep your toenails healthy
- If you notice that your toenails have changed color, structure, or become hard and brittle, you should consult a doctor. Perhaps the “illness” of the nail plates is associated with some disease
- If finances allow, get a pedicure every two months from an experienced specialist.
- Once a week, give your feet a softening SPA bath with herbs (chamomile, calendula, sage), baking soda
- To trim your toenails, use nail scissors with curved blades, clippers or clippers. Nails that are too rounded or cut short can become a source of infection or grow into the skin and cause pain.
- Cut your nails in a straight line without cutting off the corners. This will prevent ingrown nail plates
- Give your nails a beautiful shape with a manicure file. File your nails in one direction - from the edge to the center.
- Take preventive measures against infection of nails with onychomycosis: wear shoes on the beach, go to the pool or sauna in flip-flops, do not wear other people's shoes, carefully wipe the folds of your feet dry after a shower.
With age, the nail plate becomes wavy and acquires an unpleasant dull yellowish color. And health problems only make the situation worse. Remember! You cannot cut rough, thick nails without steaming, they can crack and come off.
Source: https://doctor-365.net/kak-razmyagchit-nogti-na-nogah/
Diabetes
Many people know that diabetes mellitus disrupts the functioning of the entire body, and other pathologies develop against the background of the disease. Toenails are no exception: they turn yellow and crumble - this is a sign of diabetic onychomycosis.
This is due to the fact that with this disease the concentration of sugar in the blood increases, which leads to damage to blood vessels and nerve endings. On the legs, such problems occur very quickly, because they are as far away from the central nervous system as possible. In addition, the lower limbs are under constant stress, and wounds and cracks there heal much more slowly.
People diagnosed with diabetes mellitus have another problem - the nail often grows into the surrounding tissue, and this is a huge risk of infection or the appearance of trophic ulcers. Accordingly, with this disease it is necessary to pay special attention to the feet and nails and treat them with special means. However, most antifungal agents have a negative effect on insulin metabolism, therefore, their use requires constant monitoring by medical professionals.
Psoriatic onychodystrophy
This, of course, is a medical name; psoriasis on the fingernails and toenails is popularly called this. As a rule, such a disease does not occur separately from skin psoriasis. In addition to the fact that the toenail crumbles, it is destroyed from the inside. At a certain period of time, papules may appear on the nails, which slightly resemble yellowish puddles. These papules contain pus, which is released as the nail grows. Another symptom is itching; it is impossible to immediately determine where exactly it is; it seems that it is on the fingers or under the nails. The main danger of the disease is that you can completely lose the nail plate, and before that the person will be tormented by discomfort.
And the worst thing is that psoriatic onychodystrophy is incurable; all therapy is aimed only at eliminating symptoms and discomfort. But under no circumstances should you refuse treatment; it will help reduce the risk of relapse.
How can you infect your hands?
Have you been trying to cure FUNGUS for many years?
Head of the Institute: “You will be amazed at how easy it is to cure fungus by taking the product every day for 147 rubles ...
Read more "
Let's look at hand skin fungus and its main manifestations. Fungal manifestations on the skin, especially in open areas such as hands, are a very unpleasant phenomenon that brings its “owners” a lot of trouble in the form of itching, bleeding rashes, scabs, as well as inconvenience when communicating with people, the reason is clear. In general, fungal manifestations usually include infectious diseases that are caused by parasitic phages and fungi that are transmitted through tactile contact, usually “skin on skin.”
The average person may wonder whether there is a fungus on the palm of the hand? Happens! And this is very serious! The areas most often affected on the hands are between the fingers, palms and nails.
Types of fungus and signs of manifestation
- Damage to areas of the skin of the hands on the tips of the fingers and under the nails is a mychiosis fungus. At first, the disease appears to be a normal rash, sometimes called a "sweating rash." However, sweating of the hands is not the cause, but one of the main symptoms, which, together with the general antiseptic effect on the skin, leads to the appearance of brown and red-flesh colored scabs;
- mycosis - damage to the lower layers of the skin. A very difficult disease to treat, which is fraught with skin detachments and layers in the form of fungal infections.
Common symptoms that accompany hand skin fungus include the following:
- interdigital rash, pimples filled with lymph, which form scabs when dry. Fungus on the palms of the hands can cause severe peeling at the folds of the capillary pattern of the palm, the so-called “life lines”, etc.;
- itching, which intensifies at night. Itching on the hands, which when scratched leads to the formation of scabs, deep scratches and bleeding irritations. Such symptoms, as a rule, are caused by a fungus on the hands between the fingers - Onychomycosis, which occurs in three stages, the final stage is tissue rotting;
- the appearance of swellings on the hands filled with lymph, similar in texture to calluses or burn blisters;
- flaky spots on the nails with transition to the skin and fingertips, finger folds;
- in general, the structure of the skin, the upper layers of the epidermis changes significantly, fungus on the skin of the legs and arms 90% out of 100 is accompanied by these symptoms;
- a strong fungus on the skin of the hands can lead to serious diseases of internal organs and systems, since mycosis and other similar manifestations can penetrate the body, disrupting the functioning of the thyroid gland and immunity.
Fungal metabolism and metaphysical properties
Fungi and spores differ significantly in their metabolism from plant organisms and animals. Skin fungus on the hands has unlimited growth potential, it all depends on the nutrient medium and time of manifestation. Hand fungus can grow, depleting the body, until the “mukor” - the body of the covering - is 100% occupied, for example, scabies spores.
The fact is that the skin of human hands has a natural barrier to the penetration of parasites and phages - keratin plates, which are a rather dense layer of keratinized plates. When it comes into contact with the skin of the hands, the fungus grows through the keratinized “scales” and begins to distribute a specific substance in the lower layers of the skin - a substrate property that poisons the epidermal cells, binding them with toxins. The very first preventative measure against such manifestations is personal hygiene, which should be regular and mandatory. Skin fungus on the hands with a general weakening of the body can have very bad consequences:
- firstly, a violation of the skin structure can be irreversible, leading to the destruction of skin tissue and its rotting, damage to the joints and bone structure;
- secondly, why is fungus between the fingers so dangerous? Fungus between the fingers on the skin is dangerous due to a complication called Onychomycosis. Gradually, from small redness between the fingers, which in texture is similar to acne, a homogeneous area is formed, similar to redness from a burn, a slight swelling. at this stage, the disease is not so dangerous, but you need to keep in mind that inside the “swelling” there is a continuous reaction of division of fungal spores, the germination of which is carried out “in breadth and inward.” Eventually, the entire palm becomes covered with a brown scab; ultimately, such a fungus on the hands between the fingers can become an indication for amputation of the entire hand in order to prevent the disease from spreading to the entire body. It is also necessary to understand that a disease such as “leprosy” has similar roots to a fungus - first, skin damage begins, caused by weak immunity syndrome, then the damage spreads to the internal organs. The symptom of a weakened immune system and thyroid gland is a symptom characteristic of Onychomycosis.
Treatment and indications for treating fungus
First of all, any patient who has been diagnosed with a fungus on the hands needs to understand that treatment must be immediate and prompt. Otherwise, irreversible processes may occur that affect the entire body. The following antiseptic drugs and medicines for skin fungus on the hands have proven themselves to be excellent:
- "Mesoderil" in liquid form. The drug is available without a doctor's prescription and is a clear liquid that is applied locally to the skin. The substance contains an active antiseptic substance, which, when applied, causes a gentle interaction with the skin without the formation of an aggressive environment, gently penetrating into the lower layers, disinfecting the environment. When the medicine and fungal spores interact, the latter dissolve and the body heals;
- "Zodak" in the form of an ointment. It is also an antiseptic that acts on the upper layers of the skin without penetrating inside. Perfect for patients diagnosed with skin fungus on the hands and feet.
The patient must remember that skin fungus on the feet and hands is a “big headache”, and the best treatment for it is to exercise caution and personal hygiene.
Eczema
Is your toenail crumbling? Perhaps it's eczema. Yes, this chronic disease can manifest itself not only on the skin, but also on the nails. However, eczema first appears on the skin, then spreads to the nails.
At first, the hole on the nail plate becomes cloudy, begins to peel off, becomes loose and flakes. The nail itself becomes covered with transverse grooves, depressions appear, it crumbles and breaks. Swelling around the nail appears, blisters form, the skin cracks and peels. In advanced cases, the nail plate may completely separate from the nail bed.
This type of disease can be treated locally. Ointments containing vitamins are prescribed. You will have to follow a diet and carefully monitor hygiene. In this situation, nail extensions can help. The procedure will not only hide the problem, but also straighten the nail plate. Naturally, extensions can be carried out only after a course of treatment.
Other pathological problems
In addition to the reasons described above, a toenail may crumble in other cases:
- Climax. During this period of life, when hormonal changes occur in the female body, there is a serious lack of estrogen. And this is a violation of mineral metabolism, almost all organs suffer.
- Liver diseases. In such cases, the metabolism in the body is disrupted, which is why the nails suffer.
- Lichen. This is a viral disease that requires medical intervention.
- Intoxication of the whole body.
But still, the most common reason for a toenail crumbling is fungal diseases. Onychomycosis can be contracted in the most unexpected places: on the beach or in the pool. Doctors are also confident that people with a genetic predisposition are more often susceptible to this disease, that is, if the fungus is present in blood relatives, then the child has a huge risk of also getting onychomycosis.
How to treat?
If the nail on your big toe is crumbling, but it is clearly known that this is not due to any disease, then, first of all, you should start with adjusting your diet. The menu should include the maximum amount of fruits (apricots, citrus fruits), fermented milk products, spinach and nuts.
To achieve the maximum required level of iron, selenium and iodine in the body, it is not necessary to take pills. There is a lot of it in apples, seafood, beef liver, seaweed, and brewer's yeast.
Wax can help correct the situation. For the procedure, you need to melt 5 or 6 tablespoons of wax in a steam bath, after cooling, immerse your hands or feet there (10-15 minutes), doing this 2-3 times for 7 days. It is better to carry out the procedure before going to bed and, without cleaning the nails from wax, go to bed.
You can take baths with sea salt every day. It is recommended to treat the damaged finger daily with sea buckthorn or olive oil.
Salon treatments
What to do - your toenails are crumbling. Sign up for procedures. However, before going to a beauty salon, it is still recommended to undergo an examination to exclude any pathology.
One of the most popular procedures is paraffin therapy. It is somewhat reminiscent of a wax procedure that can be done at home. The salon may offer you a massage course; by the way, many effective techniques have been invented for nails.
Some salons offer a course of diathermy, that is, exposure to nails in order to improve vascular nutrition and blood circulation. Similar to the hospital procedure - ultraphoresis, salon procedures are also carried out, only with the name vitamin ultraphoresis. When treating nails, their surface is saturated with vitamin compounds.
The sealing procedure involves applying a nutrient solution to the nail and securing it with wax. The effectiveness of the procedure can be observed for three months, then you will have to repeat everything again. What else can you do if your toenail crumbles?
Spa pedicure is not a one-day procedure, but a whole complex that involves not only a visit to the salon, but also care at home.
Prevention of delamination
Such an unpleasant event as splitting of the nail plate can be prevented. And if suddenly you have already encountered such a problem, you need to take all possible measures to prevent its recurrence. To prevent nails from peeling, you need to adhere to a certain algorithm:
- Protect your hands from exposure to low temperatures and wear rubber gloves when doing housework;
- create the right diet for your diet, ensure that your daily menu is balanced;
- Do your manicure correctly at home - do not use metal files, do not file wet nails, use only high-quality varnishes, creams and nail polish removers;
- Postpone nail extensions until your nails have recovered.
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Prevention
If your toenails are crumbling, treatment is, of course, required, but it is best to prevent this condition. First of all, you should control sweating on your feet and hands. Be sure to wash your feet daily, even if they seem clean.
After visiting public places, especially those with high humidity (swimming pool, sauna, beach), it is better to treat the limbs with a special antifungal aerosol.
Women should not skimp on cosmetics, including nail polishes. Don't forget to apply a protectant before applying varnish. If you prefer salon procedures, then carefully choose a specialist so that he is responsible for the sanitary treatment of instruments.
And, of course, eat a balanced diet, avoid spontaneous snacks and fast foods, as such nutrition causes vitamin deficiency in the body.
Care and treatment
To treat dry skin around your nails, your doctor or dermatologist will first have to diagnose the condition to determine what the underlying cause of the dryness is. Once this is done, depending on how severe the condition is, the doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, natural remedies, or prescription ointments and creams to treat symptoms.
With simple life changes, you will need to do the following to protect against dry skin:
- Avoid hot baths and steamy showers
- Reduce the amount of time you spend in the shower
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to keep your body hydrated at all times
- Use a humidifier indoors
- Avoid scratching or scrubbing the skin
- Always use moisturizing soap when you shower
- You can also use emollients to moisturize your skin
- For extremely dry skin, use mineral oil-based products
- In summer you can switch to a lighter water lotion
The American Academy of Dermatology's advice for skin care, treatment and restoration is that skin care won't be as effective if it doesn't have enough moisture. Without changes in care, air can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. To prevent dry skin:
- Avoid hot baths and steamy showers. Limit your shower time to 10 minutes, wash with a mild, unscented cleanser, and pat your skin gently with a clean towel after bathing.
- After washing, be sure to apply gentle moisturizers to your skin. Ointments, creams and lotions are good for dry skin by retaining moisture. This way she can stay hydrated and moisturized
- Wear gloves and socks every time you go to bed or in winter. It reduces dry skin in the most problematic areas - around the toenails and fingernails
- If the air is dry, it will be useful to humidify it. To do this, you need to turn on the humidifier once or twice a day.
- If you have naturally dry skin, then use fragrance-free products. Some cosmetics and skin care products are too harsh for use on dry or sensitive skin.