Crack the Mystery: Split Toenails
Its summertime and bare feet and open-toed shoes are here to stay. But do you find yourself hiding those toes? Are your toenails looking a little worse for wear these days and have you found yourself wondering what caused this condition? Well, wonder no more. Feet, toes and toenails take more abuse on a daily basis than any other part of our bodies. Between ill-fitting shoes to daily foot-related trauma from walking around on hard pavement, toenails are due some TLC. So put your thinking cap on and let’s nail this conundrum!
Did you know that nails-both finger and toe-are a great barometer of overall bodily health? According to Phyllis Balch, author of “A Prescription for Nutritional Healing”. Changes or abnormalities in the nails are often the result of nutritional deficiencies; such as protein, Vitamin C, or folic acid, all essential vitamins and nutrients for healthy, strong nails. To make sure you’re getting enough of these vital foods, be sure to eat a varied diet that includes: milk, soy milk, eggs, cheese, yogurt, peanut butter, lean meats, legumes, whole grains, citrus fruits, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, fortified breakfast cereals, lentils, asparagus, spinach, black beans, peanuts, orange juice from concentrate, and enriched pasta. If the toenails are splitting or cracking as a result of a nutritional deficiency, adding these foods back into your diet should improve this condition over time.
Other factors include daily exposure. What are you feet exposed to on a daily basis? A pounding 10 mile run? Water? Tight-fitting or high-heeled shoes? Do your feet sweat profusely or are they always cold? All of these factors can affect the health of toenails, in particular, sweating or water. If possible, avoid leaving your feet wet for long periods of time, especially if they are trapped inside a pair of tight shoes. Bacteria needs very little to thrive-moisture and warmth are enough and the dark, damp environment of a shoe is the perfect breeding ground. If your feet do get wet during the work day, try and at least remove your shoes and dry off your feet and if possible, change wet socks before putting shoes back on.
For women, a particular hazard to nail health is toenail polish. Although pretty and glamorous for a night on the town, dark nail polish can actually cause the nail to yellow over time. If you do wear nail polish, be certain to apply a topcoat first to protect the nail from the pigments in the nail polish and to renew the texture, tone and health of yellowed toenails, Balch suggests creating a, “mixture of equal parts honey, avocado oil, egg yolk and a pinch of salt. Rub the mixture into nails and cuticles. Leave on for a half an hour, then rinse off. Repeat the treatment daily…” Also, indulge your feet-and toenails-in a spa treat each week. Remove all old nail polish with an acetone-free polish remover, and then soak the feet in warm water and Bliss Rosy Toes for ten minutes. After soaking, gently dry the feet and nail beds, trim errant toenails, and then apply cuticle and foot cream, such as MD Formulations Pedicream. With 18% glycolic acid, this rich cream will soften cuticles, hydrate the nail bed and soften even the toughest calluses.
Finally, your toenails may be splitting simply because of nature! Heredity, poor circulation, diabetes, allergies or even stress can all lead to changes in nail color, shape, smoothness or strength. Try a conditioning product specifically designed to support nails such as NeoCeuticals Nail Conditioning Solution. Be certain to alternate your shoes every two to three days, and invest in quality footwear that fits properly. Shoes that are too tight, narrow or small will put pressure on the nails and can lead to further problems in the future.
On a daily basis, our feet take care of us in a host of amazing ways. Return the favor and indulge in a little foot-loving TLC. For the happiest, healthiest toe nails, keep your routine simple. Avoid soaking nails in water or harsh solvents for long periods of time, eat nail-friendly foods, don’t pick at hang nails and always use a rich foot and cuticle cream on your feet every day, ideally before bedtime.