Treating Weak or Brittle Nails

Home treatment may help repair weak, brittle, or splitting nails: Wear disposable plastic gloves or rubber gloves with cotton liners to protect your hands from water or chemicals. Apply moisturizing lotion directly to your nail. Apply a moisturizer at bedtime and cover with a white cotton glove or sock. Apply nail…

Treating Weak or Brittle Nails

Topic Overview

Home treatment may help repair weak, brittle, or splitting nails:

  • Wear disposable plastic gloves or rubber gloves with cotton liners to protect your hands from water or chemicals.
  • Apply moisturizing lotion directly to your nail.
  • Apply a moisturizer at bedtime and cover with a white cotton glove or sock.
  • Apply nail polish to slow the evaporation of water from your nail. Do not remove and reapply it more than once a week. Nail polish remover may increase splitting and breaking if used too often.
  • Do not use nail lacquers, polishes, or adhesives if you think your nail problem could be caused by one of these substances.

Related Information

Credits

Current as ofApril 1, 2019

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP – Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD – Family Medicine

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