It happens to the best of us – we hit a snag when there’s no relief in sight. In this case, the snag is those unfortunate nail emergencies. They can strike at anytime, and it’s not usually right before a nail appointment. So what’s a girl to do? The first thing you must decide – is the nail salvageable? If it’s a clean break, your best bet is to use a pair of nail clippers to cut the remaining nail straight across so that it doesn’t get caught on anything and cause additional trauma to the area. Do not round the edges as this can lead to an ingrown nail. Cutting the nail also prevents the break from going farther down. Then file the area down. If you feel like you can save the nail, first wash your hands with soap and water. Dry well. Cut a small area of a tea bag. Trim the gauze from the tea bag until it fits into the tear.

Top the gauze with clear nail polish or nail glue. Use a toothpick or tweezers to spread the sealer over the area. Let sealer dry. Snip away any extra piece of gauze. Use the soft side of an emery board to file down the area and make it smooth. The final step is to paint a coat of nail polish over the damaged area. If you aren’t able to use this fast fix to repair the nail, cover it with a bandage at the very least. You may want to see a nail technician to properly address the issue. A broken nail is never fun. While it’s impossible to prevent all breaks, consider these tips. Wear gloves when you’re doing work around the house. That goes for everything from dishes to gardening. Use hand lotion and creams on a regular basis to prevent nails from getting dry and brittle. Go easy on the nail polish remover, which dries out nails and makes them susceptible to cracking.