| We use them as makeshift screwdrivers or | | | | hand cream that contains 10 percent |
| pliers. We drown them in dishwater and | | | | urea. Trapping the moisture within the |
| coat them with chemicals. No wonder our | | | | nails will help make them less brittle. |
| nails so easily break. Everything from a | | | | Ration the nail polish remover. Touch up |
| dry climate to constant immersion in hot | | | | chipped polish instead of removing it |
| water can cause nails to peel, spit, and | | | | completely. The reason? Nail polish |
| crack. And the pain can be considerable, | | | | remover contains strong solvents that |
| especially if the nail splits to the | | | | can make nails bone-dry, leaving them |
| quick. | | | | vulnerable to splits and cracks. |
| Here are some tips you can consider to | | | | Try biotin. The vitamin biotin, |
| help you to speed your healing process | | | | available at drugstores and health food |
| and for fast pain-relief. | | | | stores, has shown to strengthen nails. |
| Clip broken nails quickly. If you break | | | | It is recommended taking 2.5 milligrams |
| a nail, cut it as short as you can, this | | | | of biotin a day. But do not expect |
| will keep the break from extending | | | | overnight improvement. It may take six |
| farther down your nail. | | | | months to see results. |
| Bandage the break…maybe. If your nail | | | | A nail that is broken seldom requires |
| is torn and raw, apply an antibiotic | | | | medical attention. But a nail that is |
| ointment to help prevent infection, then | | | | injured by a slamming car door, for |
| cover the nail with a bandage. No need | | | | example can be serious. You should see a |
| to bandage a less-serious split. A | | | | doctor if you develop symptoms of |
| bandage will hold in heat and moisture, | | | | infection, such as swelling, a fever, or |
| which can be detrimental. | | | | the formation of pus, or if your nail is |
| Clip nails correctly. Cut your nails | | | | extremely painful. If there is a lot of |
| straight across. Rounding the edges can | | | | swelling or pain, you could have a |
| cause an ingrown nail. | | | | broken bone, but not a broken nail. |
| Don gloves. When you are doing household | | | | Also consult a doctor if you see blood |
| chores, wear heavy cotton gloves for dry | | | | under your nail. Go to the emergency |
| work such as gardening and vinyl gloves | | | | room within an hour to release the |
| with cotton gloves underneath for wet | | | | pressure beneath the nail. If the |
| work such as washing dishes. Your hands | | | | pressure is not released, it can damage |
| will sweat under the vinyl, and the | | | | the nail root. But do not be alarmed if |
| cotton gloves will absorb the sweat. | | | | your nail turns black. It probably looks |
| Use an ocean of lotion. Massage your | | | | worse than it is. |
| nails with plain petroleum jelly or a | | | | |