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Treating Weak or Brittle Nails

Treating Weak or Brittle Nails

Overview

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

Credits for Treating Weak or Brittle Nails

Current as of: March 22, 2023
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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The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.

Treating Weak or Brittle Nails

Table of Contents

Overview

Credits for Treating Weak or Brittle Nails