Noah Sinclair
Brittle nails are a common problem, affecting up to 20% of the population. They are more common in women and people over 50. While brittle nails are rarely a sign of a serious health condition, they can be caused by underlying medical conditions such as Raynaud's syndrome, thyroid problems, or nutritional deficiencies. Brittle nails can also be caused by environmental factors, such as frequent exposure to cleaning products or excessive hand-washing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Underlying health condition, such as thyroid disease or a fungal infection |
| Cause | External factors, such as frequent hand washing, ageing, or cosmetic use |
| Appearance | Split, cracked, and broken |
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What You'll Learn
Brittle nails can be caused by frequent hand washing and sanitising
Frequent hand washing and sanitising can cause nails to dry out and become brittle. This is because nails lose water faster than skin does. The constant washing and sanitising can also expose nails to dry air, water, and sanitizers for longer periods of time, leading to brittleness.
In addition to frequent hand washing and sanitising, other factors that can contribute to brittle nails include age, length of nails, and cosmetic use. As people age, their nails tend to grow slower, which means more exposure to drying factors. Longer nails and regular use of nail cosmetics can also increase the likelihood of experiencing split, cracked, and broken nails.
Underlying health conditions, such as thyroid disease or iron deficiency, can also be a factor in brittle nails. Discolouration of the nails, such as a bluish tint or yellowish hue, may indicate a lung or heart problem, or a fungal infection.
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Brittle nails can be a sign of thyroid disease
Harvard Medical School reports that 27% of women have brittle nails, also known as onychoschizia. This can be the result of an underlying health condition, such as thyroid disease, or other external factors. For example, frequent hand washing can cause nails to dry out and become brittle. As people age, their nails grow more slowly, which means they are exposed to dry air, water and sanitizers for longer. Nails are made up of layers of a protein called keratin, which also makes up the cells in hair and skin. Keratin protects nails from damage, but it is not uncommon for nails to split, peel or break.
If you think your nails are brittle because of a health concern, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
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Brittle nails can be caused by ageing
Harvard Medical School reports that 27 per cent of women have brittle nails, also known as onychoschizia. This can be the result of an underlying health condition, such as thyroid disease, or other external factors, such as frequent hand washing or the use of nail cosmetics.
Nail abnormalities are common, affecting the shape, thickness or colour of nails. If you think your nails are brittle because of another health concern, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
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Brittle nails can be caused by cosmetic use
Cosmetic use can cause nails to become brittle. This is because the chemicals in nail products can dry out the nails, making them more prone to splitting and breaking. Frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitiser can also contribute to brittle nails, as they cause nails to lose water and become dry.
In addition, growing nails longer increases the likelihood of experiencing nail damage. This is because longer nails have more surface area exposed to the elements and are therefore more susceptible to drying out and becoming brittle.
To prevent brittle nails caused by cosmetic use, it is recommended to avoid certain nail products, practice proper nutrition, and drink plenty of water.
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Brittle nails can be caused by an iron deficiency
Harvard Medical School reports that 27% of women have brittle nails, also known as onychoschizia. This can be the result of an underlying health condition, such as an underactive thyroid, or other external factors. For example, if you grow your nails longer and regularly use nail cosmetics, you are more likely to experience split, cracked and broken nails.
If you think your nails are brittle because of another health concern, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider.
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Frequently asked questions
Brittle nails can be caused by a number of factors, including age, frequent hand washing, cosmetic use, and underlying health conditions such as thyroid disease or a fungal infection.
You can strengthen your nails by practicing proper nutrition, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding certain nail products.
If you think your nails are brittle because of another health concern, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
