How to Prevent Winter Nail Damage

Nails grow more in the summer months than they do in the winter. In winter, nails also get dry and brittle and are more prone to damage. As the weather gets colder, there are things that you do to help to prevent winter nail damage.

Instructions

• 1

  Moisturize you nails when applying lotion. Be sure to rub some of the moisturizer into each of your nails. You should moisturize your fingernails every time you wash your hands and your toenails after every shower.

• 2

  Wear warm soft lined gloves when you go outside. Toenails are almost always protected from the elements in the winter, but if you are not in the habit of wearing gloves your fingernails are not. Protecting nails from the cold and from wind will slow down the drying out process that tends to occur in winter months.

• 3

  Use rubber gloves when washing dishes or other times that your hands will be in water for an extended period of time. Water absorbs into nails much quicker than it does into skin. This causes expansion of nails when wet and shrinkage when dry, which makes them vulnerable to damage.

• 4

  Eat a healthy diet. To keep your nails healthy and less prone to damage be sure that you are eating at least 60 grams of protein every day. You should also increase the amount of Biotin and Folic Acid in your diet.

• 5

  Drink at least 8 glasses of water each day to keep your nails healthy.

• 6

  Keep your nails short, clean and dry in the winter months. Shorter nails are less likely to get damaged. Keeping nails clean and dry will cut down the chances of getting infections.