Brittle Nails

Brittle nails is a condition where the nails are fragile and break frequently. It can be due to an infection or a nutritional disorder, but they can also be an indication of several other medical conditions, including iron deficiency, anaemia, and hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is the disease state in humans and animals caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. It affects about 5% of the United Kingdom population over 60 years of age. Obviously it is important to establish whether the cause of brittle nails is some sort of more serious underlying problem.

Nails can dry out, just like skin . They can also be infected: toe infections , for instance, can be caused or exacerbated by dirty socks, specific types of aggressive exercise, tight footwear and walking unprotected in an unclean environment.

Manicures and pedicures are health and cosmetic procedures to groom, trim, and paint the nails and manage callouses. They require various tools such as cuticle scissors, nails scissors, nails clippers, and nails files. Nail tools used by different people may transmit infections . Regarding nails tools such as files, "If they're used on different people, these tools may spread nail fungi, staph bacteria or viruses", warns Rick Lopes, a spokesperson for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

In fact, over 100 bacterial skin infections in 2000 were traced to footbaths in nail salons. To avoid this, new improved contactless tools can be used, for example, gel and cream cuticle removers instead of cuticle scissors.

How to have healthy nails: As with most areas of our health our nails reflect the general condition we are in so diet, exercise and general well being will affect the condition of both our skin  and nails . Some ideas that can help to promote healthy nails include vitamin supplements, gelatine, glucosamine, reducing the use of nail polish, and ensuring proper moisture.

Regular moisturizing with creams and oils can also promote healthy nails and some essential oils can be valuable for this purpose too. Lime is the main essential oil which can help with brittle nails. For a valuable hand and nail massage mix together 6 drops of Lime essential oil with 4 drops of Benzoin essential oil in 30ml sweet almond carrier oil . Moisturize slowly into the hands and nails and leave on for the skin to absorb. Alternatively mix 6 drops of Lime essential oil with 4 drops of Benzoin essential oil with a base cream and apply at night. For extra effect wear cotton gloves to bed.