Isla Bennett
Brittle nails are a common problem, affecting up to 27% of women, and they can be caused by a variety of factors. Nails that tear easily may be a sign of weak nails, which can be caused by overexposure to moisture or chemicals, or by a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals. Brittle nails can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition, such as a thyroid disorder or hypothyroidism. Age can also be a factor, as nails naturally decrease in strength over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Overexposure to moisture or chemicals, such as detergent, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, nail polish or polish remover |
| Thyroid disorder | |
| Age | |
| Health condition, such as hypothyroidism | |
| External factors, such as using nails as a tool or pressing into the nail too firmly | |
| Treatment | Avoid chemicals around nails |
| Take a multivitamin that includes calcium and B vitamins | |
| Treat the underlying health condition |
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What You'll Learn
Age
As we age, our nails become thinner and more fragile. They can become dry and brittle, or soft and bendable. This is because nails are made up of layers of the protein keratin, and as we age, our bodies may struggle to produce this protein as efficiently. Keratin is what makes nails hard and compacted, so a decrease in its production can lead to weaker nails that are more prone to tearing.
Additionally, older adults may experience changes in their nail beds, which can further contribute to nail weakness. The nail bed is the area under the nail where new nail cells are generated. Over time, the nail bed can become less effective at producing new cells, leading to thinner and more fragile nails.
While nail tearing can be a normal part of ageing, it is important to note that it could also be a sign of an underlying health condition. For example, thyroid disorders can affect the body's absorption of minerals, impacting nail health. Therefore, if you notice significant changes in your nail strength or other concerning symptoms, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional.
To maintain nail health as we age, it is recommended to practice basic self-care steps, such as avoiding exposure to harsh chemicals and moisturising the nails and cuticles. Additionally, ensuring adequate nutrition, including proteins and vitamins, can support nail strength.
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Thyroid disorder
Nails that tear easily could be a sign of a thyroid disorder. Thyroid disorders cause the body to create too many or too few hormones, which can affect the body's absorption of minerals. This can cause nails to split away from their beds. Nails that tear easily could also be caused by overexposure to moisture or chemicals, such as detergent, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, and nail polish or polish remover. Age can also affect the strength of nails, causing them to break more easily.
If you have brittle nails, it is recommended that you seek treatment for any underlying medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, as treating the issue directly will most likely improve the appearance and strength of your nails.
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Overexposure to moisture or chemicals
Nails that tear easily can be a sign of overexposure to moisture or chemicals. Detergents, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, nail polish and polish remover can all weaken nails. To prevent this, avoid having chemicals around your nails and opt for natural alternatives to give your nails a chance to recover.
Weak nails can also be caused by a deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals. Taking a multivitamin that includes calcium and B vitamins can help to strengthen nails.
Age can also be a factor, as nails naturally decrease in strength over time, making them more prone to tearing. In addition, underlying health conditions, such as thyroid disorders or hypothyroidism, can affect the body's absorption of minerals, leading to brittle nails.
If you are concerned about the condition of your nails, it is recommended to try some basic self-care steps to strengthen them. If you don't see any improvement after about a month, consider consulting a doctor or dermatologist for further advice.
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Weak nails
In some cases, weak nails may be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as a thyroid disorder or hypothyroidism. When a person has a thyroid disorder, their body may produce too many or too few hormones, which can affect the absorption of minerals. This can lead to nails splitting away from their beds. Age can also be a factor, as nails naturally decrease in strength over time, making them more prone to breaking.
If you are concerned about weak nails, there are some basic self-care steps you can take to strengthen them. For example, you can avoid having chemicals around your nails and go natural to give them a chance to recover. You can also start taking a multivitamin that includes calcium and B vitamins. However, if you don't see any improvement after about a month, it is recommended to consult a doctor or dermatologist.
It is important to note that there are limited treatments and medications available for brittle nails. Treating any underlying health conditions may help improve the appearance and strength of your nails.
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Health conditions
Nails that tear easily are often thin, weak, and fragile. They can be either dry or soft, and they may look “worn down”. Nails that tear easily can be caused by overexposure to moisture or chemicals, such as detergent, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, and nail polish or polish remover. Nails that tear easily can also be caused by using your nail as a tool, pressing into the nail too firmly, or removing acrylic nail polish.
Nails that tear easily can also be a sign of a health condition. For example, a thyroid disorder can cause a person’s body to create too many or too few hormones, affecting the body’s absorption of minerals. As a result, a person’s nails may split away from their beds. Nails that tear easily can also be caused by hypothyroidism, which is more common among females and people over 50 years old. Treating the underlying health condition will likely improve the appearance and strength of your nails.
Age can also affect the strength of a person’s nails. Nails naturally decrease in strength over time, which can cause them to break more easily.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a sign of a thyroid disorder, overexposure to moisture or chemicals, or age.
Nails that are thin, weak, fragile, and prone to splitting, bending, breaking, chipping, tearing, cracking, or peeling. They can be either dry or soft and may look "worn down".
Overexposure to moisture or chemicals, such as detergent, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, and nail polish or polish remover.
Try some basic self-care steps, such as avoiding chemicals around your nails and taking a multivitamin that includes calcium and B vitamins. If you don't see any improvement after a month, consider talking to your doctor or a dermatologist.
Yes, they affect up to 20% of the population, with 27% of women experiencing brittle nails, also known as onychoschizia.
