Why Are My Nails Soft and Bendy: Guide to Strengthen Nails
Introduction to the topic
We can tell if our health is in jeopardy by the state of our fingernails, as well as our other body parts. Nails that bend and break no matter how long they are can be frustrating to find out about.
They will snap no matter how long you let them grow or how small you make them. The color, texture, and other characteristics that make your nails imperfect are all part of your body’s way of telling you how healthy it thinks you are.
Dr. Sara Norris, a naturopathic doctor, says that soft and bending nails are a sign of poor digestion or a deficiency in essential nutrients. As a result, it is critical that we keep an eye out for any changes in our bodies that could indicate other health issues.
Here are a few potential causes of soft, bendy nails, as well as some solutions.
How are your nails changing texture?
1. Brittle
One of the most commonly reported nail problems is rough, splitting, and/or cracking nails. There are many causes of brittle nails, including repeated wetting and drying, so it’s best to wear gloves whenever your hands come into contact with water, such as washing dishes.
Bristly nails may also indicate hypothyroidism or an iron deficiency in some ases.
2. “Weak” or “soft”
They bend before breaking or break easily. Detergent, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, and nail polish removers can all cause soft nails if used excessively.
A deficiency in B vitamins, calcium, iron, or fatty acids may also cause weak nails.
3. Peeling
External trauma to the nail may be to blame, such as using your nail as a tool, pressing into the nail too firmly, or peeling off acrylic nail polish. If you soak your hands in sudsy water for an extended period of time, your nails may peel.
This trick will help you figure out whether the problem is internal or external: Is the skin around your toenails peeling off as well? Perhaps an iron deficiency is at the root of it. There’s a good chance that it’s external.
4. Ridges
Fingernail ridges that resemble small horizontal or vertical waves: have you ever noticed them? From the tip of the fingernail to the cuticle, vertical ridges are common. No need to be alarmed as long as they do not accompany other symptoms such as a change in color.
An underlying medical condition such as kidney disease or another ailment may manifest as horizontal ridges, also referred to as Beau’s lines.
Why my nails are so soft and bendy?
Soft and fragile nails can be caused by overexposure to moisture and chemicals. Fingernails of this type rarely extend past the tips of the fingers.
Your question may be, where do you get the chemicals and water? Nail polish, detergents, and nail treatments all contain chemicals that have a negative effect on the nails. Nails bend and break more easily when they are in constant contact with water, as is the case when washing dishes or doing the dishes.
You’ve noticed that your nails swell when they come into contact with water, but shrink back to their original size once they’ve dried. The nails become more vulnerable as the swelling and shrinking process continues.
Nails that twitch, constipation and depression are all signs that anemia may be present in the body.
Is there a way to strengthen nails that are weak and prone to breaking?
Even if your nails are immaculate and smooth to the touch, maintaining their strength is a different matter entirely.
As long as you don’t see any signs of peeling or cracking on your nails, it doesn’t mean you’re off the hook. The absence of visible blemishes or areas of concern does not mean that your daily skin care routine should be abandoned. For nail care, the same holds true: After all, the best offense is a solid defense.
Ten ways to keep your nails in tip-top shape have been put forward by experts, so you can keep your nails looking their best.
1. Every day, apply cuticle oil
Regardless of whether you have problem nails or not, taking care of your cuticles is always a good idea. The reason for this is that if you don’t take care of your cuticles, they can become dry and brittle, causing your nails to break and become infected, which is extremely painful.
Take care of your cuticles with a cuticle oil: Fatty acids and vitamins are common ingredients in nail care products, both of which nourish the nails and fill in skin micro-cracks.
2. Supplement with biotin
One of the B vitamins, biotin is also known as vitamin H or vitamin B-7. If you don’t consume it on a regular basis, you won’t be able to build up a stockpile of it in your body.
Biotin is an essential nutrient for hair and nails, as well as the nervous system. Sardines, cooked eggs, and legumes are all good sources, but you can also get it from a B vitamin or supplement.
Before taking a biotin supplement, check with your doctor to make sure it’s safe for you.
3. The shorter the better
In the event that your nails are weak, Dr. Solomon advises that you shorten them in order to strengthen them. Because there are fewer exposed edges to tear and a smaller surface area for water and chemicals to absorb, shorter nails are less likely to break. To avoid snagging, use a nail file to round the edges after they’ve been trimmed.
4. Master the art of nail filing
Dr. Klein recommends using a soft nail file to smooth the edges of your nails. Tears in the nail caused by coarser grains can lead to peeling and hangnails.
5. Limit your time spent near water
Soaking your nails in water too much can weaken and break them. Try to keep your hands out of the water while taking a bath and washing dishes.
Even if you can’t prevent yourself from occasionally submerging your hands, this is something to keep in mind.
6. Staying hydrated
It’s important to stay hydrated for your overall well-being, including your nails. Nails can become brittle and break and peel easily if they lack adequate moisture. They stay healthy and hydrated when they drink enough water.
7. Remove nail polish with acetone-free removers
Nail polish removers that contain acetone (the solvent that dissolves nail polish so quickly) can be harsh on nails that are already weak and cause significant damage. Dr. Solomon warns that “peeling, splitting, and those unsightly white, mottled marks” can occur as a result of this.
8. Reposition your cuticles by pushing them back
Cuticle care is essential, as previously stated. In addition to using oil, Lim says that pushing your cuticles back on a regular basis can prevent them from growing too long.
“A thick, overgrown cuticle can be difficult to remove from a fingernail. That is something you want to avoid at all costs, “She says so, as well. “Your cuticles are susceptible to cracking and infection when that occurs.”
Even if you’re not meticulous, a good tip is to gently push them back every couple of days after you step out of the shower, because your nails will be softer from the spray.
9. Use only natural nails
While gels, dips, and acrylics may give you that candy-shell finish you crave, they are actually quite harsh on your nail plate and should be avoided if possible.
There are a lot of harmful ingredients in acrylic and dip powder nails, as well as the process and wear of them, which can cause damage to your nailbeds and even infection if done incorrectly, says organic manicurist Eunice Montes-Hamaguchi.
Keep your tips strong and healthy by avoiding fake nails and opting for a bare-nailed look or a fresh coat of polish instead.
10. Take care of your nails with a nail strengthening product
Even if you follow these suggestions for strengthening your nails naturally, there may be times when you require additional assistance. Understandable!
Just make sure you’re using a nail strengthener that doesn’t contain formaldehyde (which is what traditional nail strengtheners are made of, as it makes polish dry stiff).
In the good news, nail serums and base coats with plant-based ingredients like vitamin E, olive oil, garlic, and tea tree are readily available on the market.
How to keep your fingernails from getting soft and splitting?
In order to help your nails recover, wear gloves while cleaning or washing up so that they can dry out (via AOCD). According to HowStuffWorks, vinyl gloves protect your nails from abrasive chemicals and moisture better than rubber or latex.
With regards to working in damp conditions, they advise “sprinking a little baby powder in your gloves” or “wearing [some] cotton inserts under your gloves.” After washing your hands, apply a moisturizer and rub in essential oils to keep your nails healthy (via HealthyLife).
The most common causes of weak nails are vitamin B, calcium, or iron deficiency as well as a deficiency in fatty acids. You may want to consult with a doctor before taking a supplement or making a diet change to improve the strength of your fingernails (via Woman’s Day). It’s possible to have more serious issues like yellowing nails or white spots. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends seeing a dermatologist if you notice these.
Your fingernails, like your hair and skin, need a little tender loving care, just like your hair and skin. Take a look at these solutions and see how they can help you get healthier, stronger nails.
How do I maintain the health of my nails?
Why do our nails and hair show signs of vitamin and mineral deficiency? “, explains Norris.
The vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your nails require can usually be obtained by eating a variety of whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
As an alternative, Norris advises against taking a daily multivitamin because “large compressed tablets are difficult for our bodies to digest.”
Instead, she recommends looking for a soft-gel capsule product. Why? Gelatin is commonly used to make capsules. Norris claims that our bodies have an easier time breaking down gelatin to access the vitamins and minerals it contains.
Biotin and horsetail supplements can also help. You should stop taking biotin at least two weeks prior to having any lab work done, according to Norris.
When to see a doctor?
Watch out for additional symptoms.
While most nail problems resolve on their own or can be treated at home, some may point to a more serious problem that needs to be addressed.
Changes in your nails should be brought to the attention of a health care professional if:
- Fatigue
- A lack of ability to shed pounds
- Night sweats, irritated skin, and excessive thirst
- Heartbeats that are becoming more and more rapid
- Depression symptoms such as dizziness
- Horizontal lines on your skin should also prompt a visit to the doctor.
Watch Your nails help diagnose nutrient deficiencies | Video
Top 5 FAQs and answers related to Why are my nails soft and bendy
Why do my nails bend and break so easily?
Detergent, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, and nail polish removers can all cause soft nails if used excessively. A deficiency in B vitamins, calcium, iron, or fatty acids may also cause weak nails.
How can I figure out why my nails are curved?
Nail hydration is critical, but too much of a good thing can be harmful. Moisture is also a factor. Nails can become brittle if they are exposed to water on a regular basis. Softness causes nails to bend, which makes them more susceptible to breaking.
Is it possible to grow out weak nails?
How do you fix nails that are soft and bendy?
Supplement with biotin.
Maintain a low level of water exposure…
Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
Maintain an eye on your nutrition….
Use caution when it comes to the products you put on your body.
If at all possible, avoid using gel or acrylic nails….
Take a break from polishing your nails.
What can I do to keep my nails straight?
Summary
You don’t have to be concerned if your nails are acting up on their own, without any other symptoms. When it comes to unexplained symptoms, you may want to consult a healthcare professional. Once the root causes of nail problems have been discovered, they are generally easy to treat.
