My fingernails are splitting. I have always had long beautiful nails.?

my doctor told me to use more zinc in my diet. I bought pills. They didn't seem to help. I buy expensive creams and polish .


Any help is appreciated.My fingernails are splitting. I have always had long beautiful nails.?
Exposure to water (frequent hand washing, doing dishes, etc.) will dry out nails and cause splitting/peeling. The water rinses away natural oils and the nail absorbs some water causing the nail layers to expand. As the water evaporates, the nail layers contract leading to splitting/peeling. (like paint exposed to the elements)





My nails used to peel constantly so I stopped using a nail clipper and only use a nail file to shape and shorten them. I also started protecting my nails with thicker moisturizers.





I read somewhere that nail clippers can cause the layers of the nail to separate and filing is the best way to go.





I started with Revlon's disposable files made for weak nails. File in one direction only. Start on one side and file towards the middle, then go to the other side and file towards the middle of your nail. Smooth the nail into a squoval that mirrors you cuticle or the shape of the white part of your nail bed.





Finish the edges of the nail with a hindo stone, a smooth ceramic/stone nail file or the finest grit nail file you can find. You want to make the edges really smooth.





Revlon makes a tool that should work. It is a pink half moon shape and you can run it under/across the nail from side to middle.





(I have an old hindo stone but haven't been able to find a replacement at a local store. The Revlon tool might be easier for you to find.)





(photo of hindo stone http://www.enailsupply.com/browseproduct鈥?/a>





Also, avoid using metal nail files. I recommend using disposable nail files and changing them frequently. The fresher the grit, the less the drag which leads to tearing and peeling.





Some people swear by glass nail files but they can shatter if dropped.





I also use a cuticle balm or nail oil to moisturize my nails and protect them from water since I wash my hands frequently.


(ex. Solar Oil, OPI Avoplex)





Vit E oil, jojoba oil, Aquaphor Healing Ointment, Vaseline or plain Chapstick will work too.My fingernails are splitting. I have always had long beautiful nails.?
Dip your fingernail is aromic oils.


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The usual cause is repeated wetting and drying of the fingernails. This makes them dry and brittle. This is often worse in low humidity and in the winter (dry heat). The best treatment is to apply lotions containing alpha-hydroxy acids or lanolin containing lotions such as ';Elon'; (by the ';Dartmouth'; company) to the nails after soaking nails in water for 5 minutes and after getting the hands wet.





Try to wear gloves when performing household chores that involve getting the hands wet to avoid repeated wetting and drying of the nails. Cotton lined rubber gloves can be purchased in stores.





If soft, consider that the nails may be getting too much moisture or being damaged by chemicals such as detergents, cleaning fluids and nail polish removers (the acetone containing removers are somewhat worse than acetone free). Some feel that once a week application of clear nail prep once a week may help. Nail polishes with nylon fibers in them may add strength.





Be gentle to you nails. Shape and file the nails with a very fine file and round the tips in a gentle curve. Daily filing of snags or irregularities helps to prevent further breakage or splitting. Avoid metal instruments on the nail surface to push back the cuticle. If the nails are ';buffed'; do this in the same direction as the nail grows and not in a ';back and forth'; motion because this can cause nail splitting.





Biotin (a vitamin) taken by mouth is beneficial. Gets the ';Biotin ultra'; 1 mg. size as it also comes as much smaller pills and take 2 or three a day. It takes at least 6 months, but does really help at least 1/3 of the time. Do not take this if you are pregnant. Calcium, colloidal minerals, and/or gelatin don't help consistently.
Soak nails in some warmed olive oil. This is an old, simple and wonderful remedy. Soak for 5-10 min. once a day until you see improvement. Wipe your nails gently with a tissue after treatment.
take biotin