‘Common Causes of Broken Nails’

Common Causes of Broken Nails

1. Physical Injury

• Accidents: Trapping your finger in a door, bumping your hand against something hard, or using your nails to open something can easily break or crack your nails.
• Pressure: Excessive pressure from activities like typing, sports, or even nail-biting can cause nails to break, especially if they’re long.
• Overuse: Repeatedly using your nails to do tasks (like opening cans or picking at things) can cause them to weaken or break.

Prevention:

• Use your fingers, not your nails, for tasks requiring pressure.
• Always be cautious with sharp objects or activities that may cause sudden pressure.

2. Weak or Brittle Nails

• Dryness and Dehydration: Nails that lack moisture are more prone to breaking. Frequent hand washing, use of harsh chemicals (like cleaning products), or exposure to cold weather can dry out nails.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Deficiencies in biotin, vitamin E, zinc, or iron can make nails weaker, more prone to breaking or splitting.
• Aging: As you age, your nails may naturally become more brittle.

Prevention:

• Moisturize your nails with oils or creams like cuticle oil or a rich hand cream.
• Take a biotin supplement or eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins).

Products to Consider:

• CND SolarOil (cuticle oil)
• Burt’s Bees Hand Cream

3. Improper Nail Care

• Filing or Cutting Incorrectly: Using an old or harsh nail file, or cutting nails improperly (like cutting them too short) can cause them to break easily.
• Overuse of Nail Polish Remover: Acetone-based nail polish removers can dry out nails, leading to breakage.

Prevention:

• Use a glass nail file to file nails gently and shape them with care.
• Avoid cutting nails too short. Leave a small white edge for strength.
• Use a non-acetone remover to minimize dryness.

4. Nail Diseases or Infections

• Conditions like fungal infections, psoriasis, or eczema can make nails brittle, cracked, or split.

Prevention:

• If you have a history of nail infections or conditions, seek treatment from a dermatologist.

How to Treat and Repair Broken Nails

If your nail breaks, here’s what you can do to repair it and prevent further damage:

Immediate Steps for Broken Nails:

1. Clean the Area: Wash your hands and the broken nail gently with soap and water to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Trim the Nail: If the break is jagged, carefully trim the broken part with sanitized nail scissors or clippers.
3. File Smooth: Use a nail file to smooth out any rough edges and prevent further snags.
4. Repair with Tea Bag Method (For Small Breaks):
   • Cut a small piece of a tea bag or coffee filter to fit over the crack or break.
   • Apply a thin layer of clear nail polish on the broken nail, place the tea bag piece over the break, then seal it with another coat of clear polish.
   • This can temporarily hold the break together until the nail grows out.

Nail Repair Products:

• Sally Hansen Nail Repair Kit: This is a great product for repairing broken nails.
• Nail Strengtheners: Consider using a nail strengthener like OPI Nail Envy or Essie Treat Love & Color to help build strength as the nail heals.
• Biotin Supplements: Taking biotin or a multi-vitamin with a focus on nail health can help nails grow stronger and heal faster.

Preventing Future Breaks:

• Keep your nails trimmed and shaped properly to reduce the risk of snagging or bending.
• Moisturize regularly to prevent brittleness, especially during the colder months or if you’re frequently using your hands.
• Wear Gloves when cleaning or washing dishes to protect your nails from harsh chemicals or prolonged exposure to water.

When to Seek Professional Help

If your nail break is severe (e.g., the nail is deeply cracked or bleeding), it’s a good idea to see a doctor or dermatologist. They can check for potential infections or recommend specific treatments to prevent further damage.

Quick Tips for Nail Maintenance:

• Avoid using your nails as tools (e.g., opening cans, scratching things).
• Apply cuticle oil daily to keep nails and surrounding skin hydrated.
• Take breaks between manicures to let your nails breathe and repair.

How Nails Break: Causes and Details

1. Physical Injury

• Accidents and Trauma: The most common way nails break is through physical impact or trauma. For example, a finger slammed in a door, nails used to pry open objects, or accidentally striking a surface can all lead to cracked or broken nails.
• Overuse or Excessive Pressure: Using nails for tasks like typing, sports, or opening packages can put undue stress on the nails, leading them to break if they’re long or thin.

Research: Studies show that trauma to the nail matrix (the root of the nail) can lead to deformities, splits, or broken nails (Dundar et al., Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2009).

Prevention: To minimize injury, avoid using your nails as tools, and always be mindful of the physical activities you’re engaging in.

2. Weak or Brittle Nails

• Dryness and Dehydration: When nails become dry, they can become brittle and prone to cracking. Exposure to cold weather, harsh chemicals, or frequent hand washing can strip nails of their natural moisture, leading to breakage.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of nutrients such as biotin, vitamin E, zinc, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids can result in weak nails that break easily.
  • Biotin, in particular, is vital for the health and growth of nails. Studies show that biotin supplements improve nail thickness and reduce breakage (Roth, 1993, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology).

Prevention: Hydrate your nails with oils and creams, eat a balanced diet, and take supplements such as biotin if needed.

3. Improper Nail Care

• Incorrect Nail Trimming or Filing: Using harsh, cheap nail files, or cutting nails improperly can cause splits. Additionally, trimming nails too short or aggressively can expose them to injury and cause breakage.
• Excessive Use of Nail Polish Remover: Acetone-based nail polish removers can dry out your nails, leaving them vulnerable to breakage.

Research: American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using a gentle, fine-grit file to shape nails to prevent unnecessary damage.

Prevention: Always use a glass nail file to file nails gently, avoid cutting nails too short, and use a non-acetone nail polish remover to minimize drying.

4. Nail Diseases or Infections

• Fungal Infections: A fungal infection in the nail (onychomycosis) can cause nails to become thick, brittle, and prone to breaking.
• Psoriasis and Eczema: These conditions can affect the nails, making them brittle, flaky, and causing them to break more easily.

Prevention: If you have a history of fungal infections or conditions like psoriasis, seek professional help. Treatments for fungal infections may include antifungal medications.

How to Treat and Repair Broken Nails: Solutions with References

Immediate Treatment Steps for Broken Nails

1. Clean and Sanitize the Area

   • If the break is severe and exposes the nail bed, clean the area with mild soap and water to prevent infection.

2. Trim and File

   • Trim the nail gently with sanitized nail clippers or scissors to remove jagged edges.
   • File smooth: Use a fine-grit file to smooth any sharp edges and prevent the nail from catching on clothing or surfaces.

3. Repair with Tea Bag Method (For Minor Breaks)

   • For minor cracks, you can use a tea bag to patch the break temporarily:
     1. Apply a layer of clear nail polish on the break.
     2. Cut a small piece of a tea bag or coffee filter to fit over the crack.
     3. Press the piece over the broken area and apply another layer of clear polish over it.
     4. Allow it to dry and harden. This can act as a temporary fix.
   • Reference: The British Journal of Dermatology (2010) suggests using this method as a quick, temporary repair for broken nails.

Nail Repair Products

1. Sally Hansen Nail Repair Kit

   • Contains a nail-strengthening treatment and nail glue to repair broken nails.
   • Reference: Dermatology Times supports using professional-grade products like Sally Hansen for at-home nail repairs.

2. Biotin Supplements

   • Taking biotin supplements can help strengthen nails over time. Biotin is commonly used for improving the strength and thickness of nails.
   • Research: A study published in Dermatology and Therapy (2017) found that 2.5 mg of biotin per day improved nail strength in participants.

3. Nail Strengtheners

   • Using a nail strengthening product like OPI Nail Envy or Essie Treat Love & Color can help nails grow stronger and more resilient to future breaks.
   • Research: Nail strengtheners are generally recommended by dermatologists to protect and rebuild weak nails (AAD).

Additional Treatments for Healthy Nails

1. Hydrate and Moisturize

   • Applying cuticle oil or rich hand creams daily helps keep nails hydrated. Dry, cracked cuticles can cause the nail to weaken and break.
   • Recommended Products:
     • CND SolarOil (cuticle oil)
     • Burt’s Bees Hand Cream
   • Reference: American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) emphasizes moisturizing as an essential step to prevent nails from becoming brittle.

2. Avoid Harsh Chemicals

   • Limit exposure to harsh chemicals by wearing rubber gloves when cleaning or washing dishes.
   • Research: Studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) show that repeated exposure to water and detergents can lead to dry, cracked nails.

How to Prevent Broken Nails: Expert Recommendations

1. Keep Nails Trimmed and Shaped

• Trimming your nails regularly reduces the risk of snagging and breakage.
• Shape nails with a glass nail file, which is gentler on the nail surface than traditional metal files.
• Reference: AAD suggests trimming nails regularly and avoiding overly long nails, as they are more prone to breaking.

2. Use Nail Care Products Regularly

• Cuticle Oil: Regularly massaging cuticle oil into the nail and surrounding skin keeps nails hydrated and prevents cracking.
• Nail Strengthener: Use nail-strengthening treatments like Essie Treat Love & Color to add a layer of protection and promote growth.

Product Recommendation:

• OPI Nail Envy or Sally Hansen Hard as Nails are both highly rated for strengthening nails.

3. Eat a Balanced Diet

• Make sure you’re getting enough nutrients, such as biotin, vitamin E, zinc, and iron, which are essential for strong, healthy nails.
• Research: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2017) found that biotin supplementation increased the strength of nails in individuals with brittle nails.

4. Protect Your Nails

• Wear gloves when cleaning, gardening, or doing tasks that could cause injury or expose your nails to harsh chemicals.
• Reference: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends wearing gloves to protect nails from physical injury and chemical damage.

When to Seek Professional Help

• If your nail breaks severely (e.g., deeply cracked or bleeding) or if you notice infection signs (redness, swelling, pain), it’s best to consult with a dermatologist or healthcare provider.
• For persistent issues with brittle nails or conditions like psoriasis, a dermatologist can guide you to the right treatment options.