FOnce winter is over, your nails aren’t in great shape? It happens more than you think. Because low temperatures tend to flake and break them, thus making them weaker. Added to this are the damages caused by detergents and water which further damage the nail matrix and the barrier that protects the nails. In these cases, the specific supplement can be very useful.
Brittle and flaking nails, what does this mean?
Brittle and flaking nails are due to a set of factors that affect the structure of the nail plate. A problem that also changes their aesthetic appearance, causing them to appear with white spots. This is the so-called leukonychia and does not represent a calcium deficiency, as is mistakenly believed, but is the result of microtraumas at the base of the nail.
Or horizontal streaks may appear, the so-called Beau’s Linesor they may be paler or have taken on a concave shape, called “spoon-shaped”. All of these are symptoms that may indicate that something has changed.
«Nail fragility is often the result of aalteration of the structure of the laminacomposed mainly of keratin. The moment this structure is altered, the nails become much more fragile. Specifically, when we talk about flaking nails, we mean the so-called onychoschizia, a phenomenon in which the nail plate divides into thin overlapping layers, especially at the distal margin. Clinically we observe nails that “fan out” or peel, often associated with dryness and loss of elasticity” explains the Doctor Giuseppe Iacomino, dermatologist specialized in clinical and surgical dermatology and available on MioDottore which continues: «I am behind this problem many external causes such as frequent washing, exposure to detergents, solvents or repeated trauma. They associate with these internal factors, including nutritional deficiencies, especially iron, some dermatological conditions such as psoriasis or dermatitis and, more rarely, systemic pathologies”.
How to take action in these cases? First of all changing some habits, for example in the use of particular detergents, then possibly introducing the use of supplements. Even if, as the doctor explains, they must be taken with due care.
When brittle nail supplement is useful
Supplements in these cases they should be introduced when a real nutritional deficiency is suspected or documented or when very persistent nail fragility is present which cannot be explained by external factors.
«In clinical practice, however, we very often observe a excessive use of supplements without a precise underlying diagnosis: this approach is not very rational and rarely effective. They therefore do not represent the first choice in forms clearly linked to local causesfor example the use of too aggressive detergents or a manicure that creates problems, where it is more useful to intervene on habits and irritating factors”.
For this reason, as the expert advises, alternatives to supplements are emollient creams and moisturizing products for nails and cuticlesformulated specifically to improve the elasticity and resistance of the area, not to mention the reinforcing nail polishes. These «can be useful as mechanical protection, but do not act on the root causes. It is also essential to reduce exposure to aggressive substances and use gloves in domestic activities».
The characteristics of nail supplements
«The most used supplements must first of all contain biotin, that is, vitamin B7. It is the ingredient par excellence in these cases, it is very effective when it comes to increasing the thickness of the nails and preventing them from breaking. Equally important are all the other B vitamins but also minerals such as zinc and iron, which contribute to nail growth and keep them strong and healthy over time. And finally, cystine and methionine, which are sulphur-containing amino acids, are also important.”
How should supplements be taken? «Since the nail grows slowly, about 2–3 mm per month for the hands, any improvements take time. Because of this a cycle must last at least 2–3 monthswith daily intake, to evaluate a real benefit. It is also important to underline that effectiveness varies from person to person and not all cases respond to supplementation» concludes the expert.