On March 3, 2022, the NY Times had a helpful piece on Biotin for brittle nails.
The question was: Is there a vitamin or mineral one can take to prevent or cure splitting fingernails?
Here is the article: Download Should I Take a Vitamin for Brittle Nails? - The New York Times
(This was taken from a web page on the Livestrong site)
Tea tree oil is derived from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, and is know for its antiseptic properties. Tea tree oil has recently been used to treat fungal infections of the nail, although there is a lack of evidence that this method works. It has, however, been shown to be as effective as clotrimazole, a fungal medication, in treating nail fungus. In order to be effective, tea tree oil must be applied properly. As with any alternative medication, check with your doctor before using tea tree oil
Step 1
Use a nail clipper to remove any dead nail. Take your time to remove as much dead nail as possible. Be careful to avoid cutting your skin.
Step 2
File down every infected nail with the coarse nail filer. File away as much dead nail as you can. Be careful to avoid scratching your skin around the nail. File each nail with the medium-grade and fine-grade filers afterward.
Step 3
Clean your fingernails or toenails with soap and water to remove nail dust.
Now, You Are Ready to Apply Tea Tree Oil
Step 1
Open the tea tree oil vial. Apply a moderate amount to a cotton swab.
Step 2
Apply the tea tree oil on the cotton swab to each toenail, preferably while it is still moist. Let your nails dry.
Step 3
Repeat the application of tea tree oil to your nail twice per day, morning and evening. Repeat the filing procedure one to two times a week to debride, or remove any new dead nail tissue.
See your doctor if nails worsen, become painful or appear to have infected the surrounding skin.
Be patient. It will take some months, often up to a year, for nails to regrow. Fingernails improve much quicker than toenails.
Clean your nail clipper and filers after each use with soap and water to prevent reinfection.
Ingrown nail (Onychocrptosis, from Greek onyx nail and kryptos hidden) is a common and painful form of nail disease. It is mostly commonly seen in teenagers and young adults, however, it can occur at virtually any ages. The common symptoms are discomfort and pain in the affected nail. The great toe is the most commonly involved digit. If this condition is not treated properly, it can develop an infection, cause difficulty in walking and potentially compromise the quality of life of the affected individual.
Proper nail cutting can be helpful to prevent ingrown nails.
Here we would like to introduce an anchor taping method that was devised by Dr. Hiroko Arai in Japan. Dr. Arai is one of the world-renowned nail specialists who has been advocating this simple, conservative but effective nail taping method. It is our hope that this simple but powerful technique can help our patients with this debilitating condition,.
You can easily purchase taping materials at the local drug store or online shop. The following is what you will need for taping.
1. Elastic gauze tape (Elastikon)
2. Paper surgical tape for fixation
3. Scissors
Anchor Taping:
Taping is an easy and effective treatment method that will alleviate pain and relieve inflammation and granulation tissue, and the method is to be taught to patients.
Full Version: Download Nail Taping
These images go with Download above:
Heal to Toe is a Nursing Foot Care Service which provides professional and affordable foot care to individuals of all ages. Services are provided in the privacy of the home and in clinics organized by the Council on Aging within Berkshire County. Services include:
Screening for pre-existing conditions
Nail Care and Trimming
Assessment of Circulation
Assessment of Skin Integrity
Foot Hygiene
Skin, Corn & Callus care
Foot Exercises
Massage
Patient Education
Referrals
For More Information or to make an appointment, contact Lynette Dukehart, R.N. at 413-212-2144 or Email Ms. Dukehart.
WHY IS FOOT CARE IMPORTANT?
Healthy feet are vital for the body to withstand the daily stress and critical to the elderly. A lifetime of extensive and repetitive use naturally results in changes to both the anatomy of the foot and the range of motion in both the feet and ankles. Without proper care, the lack of mobility and reduced flexibility increases the risk for falls which lead to loss of independence and debility. In addition to the natural loss of flexibility, the elderly often lose the visual acuity and sometimes even the cognition needed to maintain good foot health.
WHO SHOULD HAVE FOOT CARE?
The elderly are not the only people needing foot care. Individuals with diabetes, vision issues, peripheral neuropathy, cardiac disorders, vascular issues, physical and psychosocial limitations, obesity, venous stasis, rheumatoid arthritis and other degenerative joint diseases are also at risk.
Heal to Toe is owned by Lynette Dukehart, R.N. She is a registered nurse and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. She gained her clinical experience by working at the University of Pennsylvania and other major medical institutions as a clinician and nurse educator. Her clinical focus in neurology, vascular and cardiothoracic trauma has afforded her the opportunity to seek related interest such as leg and foot care. She is board certified in foot care by the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nurse’s Society.
From The People's Pharmacy:
"A reader offered the following suggestion for getting rid of nail fungus: “I cured my toenail fungus using a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and Listerine. I combined them in a quart jar with a screw-on lid and used a clean paintbrush to apply the liquid to the affected toes morning and night. “Then I put my socks on to keep it acting a while longer and protect the bed sheets at night. The fungus took about three months to clear up. It is slow growing, but is also slow to cure. I hope this helps someone else."
The herbal ingredients in Listerine (menthol, eucalyptol, thymol and methyl salicylate) may have anti-fungal properties, but home remedies rarely come with specific guidelines. This reader combined a couple of favorite remedies. Many people have reported success soaking infected nails in one part vinegar to two parts water. Others got good results soaking their toes in Listerine. Such remedies won’t work for everyone and take several months to produce results.
Other home remedies that readers have used to treat their nail fungus include Vicks VapoRub, hydrogen peroxide, tea tree oil and cornmeal mush as a foot soak. Search this site to find more details on using home remedies against nail fungus. The comments below also contain advice that may be helpful."
Comment: The standard treatment for proven fungal nails (onychomycosis) is Lamisil 250 mg a day for 6 weeksfor finger nails and 250 mg a day for 12 weeks for toe nails. This has a 40 - 50% success rate which mayu not be all that better than with Listerine. Of course, one needs to consider the severity of the infection, and then any contraindications to the oral meds.