While winter might bring about chapped lips and a host of other skin issues, brittle nails don’t have to be part of the package! Embrace this guide as your go-to for maintaining your nails during the winter months—and beyond.

Hydrate Your Nails

During the winter chill, our nails suffer from significant moisture loss as the temperature drops. This lack of moisture can make nails dry and prone to brittleness. To prevent this, ensure your hands, fingers, and nails are well-moisturized, shielding them from the cold weather’s effects. Using the right moisturizer can be key, so consulting your doctor for personalized recommendations is beneficial.

Consider using nourishing oils like coconut or almond oil on your cuticles, gently massaging them to provide essential nourishment.

Embrace Nail Masks

Nail masks are the latest addition to your self-care routine, offering deep nourishment and fortification for your nail beds, akin to face and hair masks.

Various nail masks, such as honey and egg or a blend of lemon juice with baking soda, can effectively nourish and strengthen your nails.

Treat Nails with Care Similar to Hair

Adopt a new rule: treat your nails as you would your hair. Both are rich in keratin proteins, so similar principles for treatment apply. Dr. Stern emphasizes that over-processing, frequent polish removal, and the use of gels and acrylics can damage nails, akin to how dyes, chemicals, and heat affect hair. Hydration, a remedy for hair issues like frizz and split ends, can also help improve dry and brittle nails.

Minimize Water Exposure

While washing hands or showering is crucial, limiting the duration your nails are exposed to water is vital. Prolonged contact weakens nail structure. Consider wearing gloves during activities like dishwashing or other wet tasks to protect your nails.

Exercise Patience for Nail Growth

For chronic nail-biters or those aiming for longer nails, cultivating healthy habits and patience is key. Prioritize strengthening your nails rather than rushing growth. Practicing good nail care is essential, and if your nails are brittle or prone to breakage, keeping them trimmed short until they regain strength is wise. Eventually, this groundwork will facilitate healthier and longer nail growth.

How to Clean Your Nails and Toenails

Maintaining clean nails is essential to prevent dirt, grease, or paint from accumulating underneath them. Regular hand washing, nail clipping, and thorough cleaning underneath the nails are vital for proper nail care. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively clean your nails and toenails:

Wash Hands and Feet with Suitable Soap: Use hand soap to cleanse your hands, feet, and nails thoroughly. Hand soaps are formulated to eliminate grease and are highly effective in removing oil buildup beneath the nails.

Opt for Purpose-Specific Hand Soaps: Invest in cleansers tailored to remove grease and dirt effectively from your hands.

Ensure Dryness: Keep your fingers and toes dry. Utilize a gentle washcloth to reach under your fingernails and around the cuticles, tackling those challenging areas. Remember to wash the washcloth after each use to maintain cleanliness.

Wash Nails with Lukewarm Water: Use lukewarm water to wash your nails. Avoid extremely hot or cold water, as lukewarm water is gentler on the hands and nails, preventing excessive drying.

Utilize an Orange Stick: Orange sticks, also called cuticle sticks, are angled, pointed wooden tools used to manually remove dirt from beneath your nails. They can be highly effective in maintaining clean nails.

Facts and myths about nail care

Here are some facts and myths about nail care:

Facts:

Keep nails dry and clean: Moisture can lead to bacterial growth under the nails. Clean and dry nails are less likely to develop infections.

Use moisturizer: Applying moisturizer to your nails and cuticles helps prevent cracking and keeps them healthy.

Trim nails regularly: Regular trimming helps prevent nails from becoming too long, reducing the risk of breakage and snagging.

Protect nails: Wearing gloves while doing household chores or using harsh chemicals can prevent damage to your nails.

Balanced diet: A balanced diet with essential nutrients like biotin, vitamins, and minerals contributes to healthy nail growth.

Myths:

Nails need to breathe: Nails are actually made of dead cells and don’t need to “breathe.” However, keeping them dry and clean can prevent infections.

Gel and acrylic nails ruin natural nails: If removed properly, these treatments shouldn’t damage your nails. Improper removal methods or frequent application without breaks can weaken nails.

White spots on nails indicate calcium deficiency: Usually, white spots (leukonychia) are caused by minor injuries to the nail matrix and aren’t necessarily due to calcium deficiency.

Cutting cuticles makes nails grow faster: Cutting or pushing back cuticles can increase the risk of infection and won’t affect the speed of nail growth.

Nail hardeners strengthen nails: While nail hardeners may temporarily improve nail strength, they can make nails brittle and more prone to breakage if used excessively.

When to consult your doctor

Nails naturally undergo changes with age, which may include the development of vertical ridges or whitish spots due to minor injuries. These conditions are typically harmless and generally do not necessitate specific treatment. However, it’s advisable to seek advice from a dermatologist if you observe any of the following concerning signs:

Changes in color, shape, or thickness of the nails: Any noticeable alterations in the appearance of your nails might indicate an underlying issue that requires attention.

Separation of the nail plate from the surrounding skin: If there’s any detachment or lifting of the nail from the skin around it, it’s important to consult a dermatologist to evaluate the cause.

Bleeding in or around the nails: Bleeding associated with the nails can be a sign of an injury or an underlying health concern that should be examined by a professional.

Pain or swelling in the skin around the nails: Discomfort, inflammation, or swelling in the nail bed or the skin surrounding the nails could be indicative of an infection or other problems requiring medical assessment.