Liam Carter
Brittle nails, or onychoschizia, are a common issue that causes soft, thin, or splitting nails. They can occur due to moisture issues or as a result of an underlying condition. Age is a common factor in the development of fragile nails, as nails naturally decrease in strength over time, making them more prone to breaking. Frequent hand washing and sanitizing can also cause nails to become dry and brittle. Other factors include iron deficiency, thyroid problems, and nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of protein or vitamin B. In some cases, brittle nails can be a symptom of more serious medical conditions, including fungal infections, psoriasis, or anemia. To prevent and treat brittle nails, proper nail care is essential, including the use of moisturizers, nail conditioners, and supplements such as biotin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Commonality | Affects up to 20% of the population, especially women over 50 years old |
| Description | Nails that split, flake, crumble, become soft and lose elasticity |
| Causes | Too much or too little moisture, abnormal levels of keratin, water, lipids, or proteins, frequent hand-washing, detergents and cleaning products, Raynaud's syndrome, nutritional deficiencies (iron, zinc, vitamin B12), thyroid disorders, aging, anemia, underlying health conditions |
| Treatments | Biotin supplements, horsetail supplements, colloidal minerals, gelatin, calcium, adequate protein, iron-rich foods, zinc-rich foods, nail hardeners, moisturizers, gloves, nail filing, nail wrapping, treatment of underlying conditions |
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What You'll Learn
Ageing
The curve of your nails may change with age. For instance, a dramatic shape change with very rounded nails is known as "clubbing", which is a sign of long-term oxygen deprivation. This can occur alongside various diseases, including kidney, liver, and endocrine disorders, and should be investigated by a healthcare professional.
Over time, nails may also turn yellow or become discoloured, turning slightly grey, generally pale, or opaque. While this can be caused by a fungal infection, discolouration is often a normal part of ageing.
Age-related nail changes are inevitable, but you can take steps to reduce the risk of brittle nails and maintain their health. This includes keeping your nails and hands moisturised, wearing gloves while doing household chores, and consulting a dermatologist for specific nail care tips.
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Thyroid problems
Having fragile nails can be a result of various factors, one of which is thyroid problems. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, plays a crucial role in producing hormones that regulate essential functions like heartbeat and breathing. Thyroid problems can manifest in different ways, and nail changes are one of the early signs that can indicate a potential thyroid disorder.
Nail changes associated with thyroid problems can vary depending on whether the thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism). When the thyroid is underactive, nails tend to grow slowly and become thin, fragile, and brittle. They may break, split, and peel, and in some cases, they may separate from the skin underneath, a condition known as onycholysis. On the other hand, an overactive thyroid can lead to spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia) or clubbing, where the fingertips enlarge, and the nails curve around them.
According to research, there is a strong connection between hormone health and nail problems in various hormone-related disorders, including thyroid issues. Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in bodily growth and development, including nail growth. Therefore, nail changes can be early warning signs of potential thyroid dysfunction. Autoimmune thyroid disorders, where the body's immune system attacks the thyroid, are associated with higher frequencies of nail brittleness.
Additionally, people with hypothyroidism may also experience other nail-related conditions, such as leukonychia (white nails), striped nails, and pitting (small indents creating an uneven nail surface). These nail changes can be important indicators, and should not be overlooked, as early detection and treatment of thyroid disorders can prevent potential complications.
It is important to note that nail brittleness can also be caused by other factors, such as aging, moisture issues, or iron deficiency. Therefore, if you notice persistent nail fragility, it is always advisable to consult a dermatologist or a doctor, who can help determine the underlying cause and suggest appropriate treatments or supplements to strengthen your nails.
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Iron deficiency
Fragile nails, also known as brittle nails, are a common issue that causes soft, thin, or splitting nails. They can be a result of overexposure to moisture or harsh chemicals, such as detergents, cleaning fluids, and nail treatments. However, fragile nails can also indicate an iron deficiency, a common cause of spoon nails or koilonychia. Spoon nails are characterized by a concave appearance, either horizontally or vertically, and can affect both the fingernails and toenails. While iron deficiency is a potential cause, spoon nails can also be associated with other conditions, such as inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis, thyroid disorders, or autoimmune disorders.
To address fragile nails due to iron deficiency, it is recommended to incorporate iron-rich foods into your diet, such as red meat, spinach, meat, fish, and poultry. In some cases, iron supplements may be considered, but it is important to consult a doctor first as they can interact with certain medications. Additionally, maintaining proper nutrition, staying hydrated, and avoiding certain nail products can contribute to improving nail health.
While fragile nails can be a sign of iron deficiency, they can also be caused by other factors, such as aging, thyroid disorders, or external factors like frequent hand-washing and exposure to cleaning products. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns or notice any unexplained symptoms. They can provide specific recommendations and treatments to improve your nail health.
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Moisture issues
Brittle nails, or onychoschizia, can be caused by too much or too little moisture. This is usually due to external factors and is the most likely cause of brittle nails. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD) defines two broad categories of moisture-related brittle nails: hard and brittle, and soft and brittle.
Hard and Brittle Nails
Hard and brittle nails are caused by a lack of moisture. Increasing moisture can help dry nails become less brittle. People with dry nails may wish to consider using a moisturizer on their hands and nails. They can do this during the day or at night before bed. Moisturizing hand lotions that contain lanolin or alpha-hydroxy acids are recommended. When applying the lotion or cream, be sure to rub it around and directly onto your nails.
Soft and Brittle Nails
Soft and brittle nails occur when the nails have too much moisture. This can happen as a result of using too much moisturizer on the hands. It could also be the result of overexposure to cleaning solutions, dishwater, or chemicals like cuticle treatments, nail polish, or polish remover. To strengthen nails in this category, cut back on the lotions and oils.
General Tips
- Keep your nails short to minimize the nail surface area where water and chemicals can be absorbed.
- Wear gloves when washing dishes or using cleaning products to prevent further damage and strengthen the nails.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to cold, dry weather. If you go outside on a cold day, be sure to wear gloves.
- File your nails daily with a fine emery board to eliminate irregularities and prevent breakage and splitting.
- Try a paraffin wax bath to soothe and moisturize your nails and hands. Soak your hands in the bath for 10 to 20 minutes, then give the wax time to dry before peeling it off.
- Eat a healthy diet and drink enough water. Nails are largely made up of keratin protein, so eating the right amount of protein is vital for boosting keratin production and maintaining strong nails.
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Nail biting
Psychologically, people who chronically bite their nails may experience distressful feelings of unease or tension prior to biting, as well as feelings of shame, embarrassment, anxiety, or guilt related to the appearance of physical damage to the skin and nails caused by biting. They may also fear others seeing their nails or being disgusted by them, which may lead to strained or complicated family and social relationships.
To stop biting your nails, you can try the following:
- Find your triggers by noticing how you feel or what you are doing when you bite your nails. Once you know what triggers the nail-biting, you can try to find other ways to cope.
- Keep your hands or mouth busy. Find something to fiddle with, like a stress ball or a pen to click, or chew gum to give your mouth something else to do.
- Set small goals for yourself. For example, try to stop biting the nails on your right hand for a week.
- Cut your nails short so that there isn't enough nail to grab with your teeth.
- Coat your nails with a bad-tasting nail polish.
- Wear gloves or stickers made to cover nails to prevent yourself from biting them.
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Frequently asked questions
Fragile nails, also known as onychoschizia, are characterised by nails that split, flake, crumble, become soft and lose elasticity. This condition affects up to 20% of the population, especially women over 50.
There are several factors that can cause fragile nails, including:
- Too much or too little moisture
- Frequent exposure to cleaning products and detergents
- Age
- Iron deficiency
- Thyroid disorders
- Raynaud's syndrome
There are several ways to treat fragile nails, including:
- Applying lotion or nail conditioner
- Taking biotin supplements
- Wearing gloves while doing household chores
- Using a nail hardener or nail polish that contains nylon or hyaluronic acid
- Making dietary changes, such as eating foods rich in iron and zinc
