Natural Treatments for Nail Problems

Nails are part of everyone’s appearance. That's why it’s important to take proper care of them. Learn how in this article!
Natural Treatments for Nail Problems
Karla Henríquez

Written and verified by the doctor Karla Henríquez.

Last update: 18 May, 2022

Many different things can cause nail problems. However, all of them look pretty unpleasant. Actually, the state of someone’s nails can say a lot about their general health, too.
Nails are hard bits of skin that protect the fingers and toes. They’re formed by keratin, a fibrous and hard protein that forms layers in the nail. When your nails look good, it’s generally considered that everything is fine. But if your nails are weak or have an abnormal color, you should pay attention.

When it comes to aesthetics, hygiene is crucial in every sense of the word. Looking good is impacted by all factors that can be appreciated by sight. Because of this, there are all kinds of beauty products and treatments. Variety is the spice of life, right?

The best thing we can advise is that if you want to take care of your beauty, opt for the natural before resorting to chemical products. Moisturizer, nail polish, nail polish remover, and other personal care products that seem harmless to the naked eye can actually affect the quality of your nails. In fact, they can cause the appearance of fungus, sores, spots, bad smells, ingrown toenails (due to bad cuts) and, sometimes, even nail loss.

In this article,we’ll share the best natural treatments for different common nail problems.

Natural treatments for nail problems

1. Treatment for fungus

nail problems

Fungus one of the most common nail problems. It’s an infection that changes the health of your nails. It can be caused by bad hygiene, humidity, or very warm environments, and it feeds on keratin. To fight this unpleasant agent naturally, it’s best to use tea tree oil, which is a powerful antiseptic. It’s just as effective as laboratory antifungal creams and ointments.

What to do

  • Apply it after the shower after you’ve dried yourself.
  • Apply a couple of drops on the affected nail and let it dry.
  • Repeat this every day, after showering, until you notice a significant improvement.

2. Treatment for brittle nails

Treatment for brittle nails

This is another common nail problem. Cracking can be caused by many factors, from your overall health, to being constantly exposed to products that weaken the keratin. If you want to treat them naturally, we recommend that you take care of your diet and consume more foods rich in calcium, such as milk, cheese and nuts. Another way to strengthen them could be:

  • Almond oil and lemon. Mix the ingredients well, and apply on the nails for 2 minutes and then rinse with water.
  • Coconut oil. Massage your nails with warm oil and leave it to act for 1 minute.
  • Argan oil. Massage your nails with the oil as part of your manicure routine for 2 minutes.

3. Cracked nails

Cracked nails

Chemicals such as cleaning products, citrus, and some abrasive substances can deteriorate your nails. They prevent them from growing strong, and they cause them to crack very often.

We know that nails are a part of the body that have contact with almost everything. However, we need to take care of them. Remember that it’s an indicator of your overall health.

What to do

  • Wear gloves when cleaning.
  • From time to time we recommend that you apply a layer of shine to protect them.
  • Eat foods that encourage growth such as milk, eggs, avocado and spinach.
  • Maintain a manicure and pedicure routine each week. This doesn’t mean that it’s mandatory, you just have to make sure that your nails are growing correctly and keep an eye on their condition.

4. Ingrown nails

Ingrown nails

This is probably one of the most annoying nail problems there is. Ingrown nails are often caused by inappropriate footwear, nail deformations, poor maintenance and cutting them badly. It usually occurs with the nail of the big toe. However, it can happen with any nail.

What to do

  • Immerse the affected foot in hot water, leave it for a couple of minutes and then dry it well.
  • Gently massage the affected area with olive or almond oil.
  • Place a small piece of wet cotton under the nail.
  • When the area softens, cut the nail carefully, with a clean and sharp nail clipper.
  • Cut it straight, i.e., give it a square shape.

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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.