Sophia Delgado
Brittle nails are a common issue that affects about one in five people. Nails can become thin, soft, and weak, making them vulnerable to splitting, cracking, or breaking. While anyone can experience brittle nails, they are most common among older adults and women. Brittle nails can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, nutritional deficiencies, underlying medical conditions, and environmental factors such as exposure to household cleaning products. In this article, we will explore the causes, treatments, and prevention methods for brittle nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Thin, soft, weak, splitting, cracking, breaking, peeling, flaking |
| Causes | Ageing, nutritional deficiencies (e.g. iron deficiency), underlying medical conditions, environmental factors (e.g. household cleaning products, frequent handwashing) |
| Prevalence | Affects about one in five people, more common in older adults and women |
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What You'll Learn
Nutritional deficiencies
Brittle nails, or onychoschizia, are a common issue that causes soft, thin, or splitting nails. They can occur due to moisture issues, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying medical conditions.
A deficiency in biotin, a B vitamin, can also lead to brittle nails. Biotin is important for nail health, as it helps to produce keratin, the protein that makes up nails. A biotin deficiency can cause nails to become thin, soft, and weak, making them more susceptible to splitting, cracking, or breaking.
Zinc deficiency is another possible cause of brittle nails. Zinc is important for nail health, as it helps to maintain the structure and integrity of nails. A zinc deficiency can cause nails to become thin, brittle, and prone to breakage.
A lack of essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, can also contribute to nail brittleness. These fatty acids are important for nail health, as they help to keep nails moisturised and flexible. A deficiency in essential fatty acids can cause nails to become dry, brittle, and prone to splitting.
In addition to specific nutrient deficiencies, a general lack of proper nutrition can also lead to brittle nails. This can include not consuming enough protein, vitamins, or minerals, all of which are important for nail health. Ensuring a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrient-rich foods can help promote healthy nails and prevent nutritional deficiencies.
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Underlying medical conditions
Thin, brittle nails can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. While anyone can experience brittle nails, they are most common among older adults. Nails are made of a protein called keratin, which protects your fingers and toes from damage. As we age, nails can become thinner and more prone to flaking, splitting, peeling or visible breakage.
Brittle nails can also be a sign of nutritional deficiencies, such as an iron deficiency, which can lead to low red blood cell levels. Other nutritional deficiencies that can cause brittle nails include a lack of biotin, vitamin D, or calcium.
In some cases, brittle nails can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or Raynaud's disease. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, which can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and sensitivity to cold. Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is characterised by an overactive thyroid gland, which can cause symptoms such as weight loss, a rapid heartbeat, and nervousness. Raynaud's disease is a condition that affects the blood supply to the fingers and toes, causing them to feel numb and cold.
Certain medications can also cause brittle nails, as can frequent handwashing and exposure to drying chemicals, such as those found in household cleaning products.
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Ageing
Brittle nails are a common issue that affects about one in five people. While anyone can experience brittle nails, they are most common among older adults. Nails change with age, and older adults are more susceptible to thin, brittle nails that are prone to splitting, peeling or visible breakage.
Brittle nails are characterised by nails that are thin, soft and weak. They are especially vulnerable to splitting, cracking or breaking. There are many factors that can cause brittle nails, including ageing, nutritional deficiencies, certain medications, exposure to drying chemicals and frequent handwashing.
Nutritional deficiencies are a common cause of brittle nails. For example, iron deficiency occurs when the body doesn't get enough iron, leading to low red blood cell levels. Other nutritional deficiencies that can cause brittle nails include a lack of biotin, vitamin D or calcium.
Underlying medical conditions can also cause brittle nails. For example, people with thyroid disease, anaemia or Raynaud's disease may experience brittle nails. In some cases, brittle nails may be a sign of more serious underlying conditions, such as heart, lung or liver disease.
Environmental factors can also contribute to brittle nails. Exposure to drying chemicals, such as those found in household cleaning products, can cause nails to become brittle. Frequent handwashing can also strip the nails of their natural oils, leading to dryness and brittleness.
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Environmental factors
In addition to environmental factors, brittle nails can be caused by ageing, nutritional deficiencies, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions. People of all ages can experience brittle nails, although they are most common among older adults.
Brittle nails, or onychoschizia, are characterised by thin, soft, and weak nails that are vulnerable to splitting, cracking, or breaking. About 20% of people experience brittle nails at some point in their lives, and they are more common in women than in men.
While toenails commonly get thicker and harder, fingernails often become thinner and more brittle. Nails are made of a protein called keratin, which protects the fingers and toes from damage. Ideally, nails should have a shiny, smooth appearance with white edges and a curved shape. However, nails can change with age, developing a thickened, yellow appearance or becoming more vulnerable to fungal infections.
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Iron deficiency
Thin, brittle nails can be caused by iron deficiency. Iron deficiency occurs when the body doesn't get enough iron, which leads to low red blood cell levels. This can cause a range of symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, skin rash, and numbness in the fingers and toes. Iron deficiency is a common issue, affecting about one in five people. It is more common in women than in men and is most prevalent in older adults.
Iron is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in transporting oxygen throughout the body. It is needed to make haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. When the body doesn't get enough iron, it can't produce enough healthy red blood cells, leading to a condition called anaemia. Anaemia can cause a range of symptoms, including fatigue, dizziness, and a pale complexion.
The recommended daily intake of iron for adult men is 8 mg, while adult women need 18 mg due to iron loss during menstruation. Pregnant women need even more iron, with a recommended daily intake of 27 mg. Good sources of iron include red meat, poultry, fish, beans, and dark green leafy vegetables.
If you think you may have iron deficiency, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. They can perform a blood test to check your iron levels and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include dietary changes or iron supplements.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a sign of onychoschizia, which is the medical term for brittle nails.
Brittle nails can be caused by ageing, nutritional deficiencies, underlying medical conditions, or environmental factors like household cleaning products.
Nails become thin, soft, and weak, making them vulnerable to splitting, cracking, or breaking.
While anyone can experience brittle nails, they are most common in older adults and women.
Yes, in many cases, people with brittle nails can take steps to strengthen them and prevent future issues. However, if your nail health doesn't improve with at-home remedies, you should consult a doctor.
