There are many potential causes of brittle nails, a condition characterized by easy breakage or tearing of the fingernails and toenails. Depending on the underlying cause of your brittle nails, you can try different methods to strengthen your nails. Because different medical conditions can cause brittle nails, you should consult your doctor about this problem before trying any particular remedies.
Identification
If you have brittle nails, your finger and toenails are likely thin and weak according to the University of Michigan Health System. Your nails may grow very slowly as well. Typically, brittle nails break easily, peel into horizontal layers or split lengthwise, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Brittle nails occur in approximately 20 percent of people, usually affecting men less often than women.
Causes
You may develop brittle nails from the natural effects of aging, thyroid conditions or deficiencies in iron and zinc, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other medical conditions that cause brittle nails include lung problems, Raynaud's disease, Sjogren's syndrome, selenium poisoning, skin diseases and infections. You can also have brittle nails due to repeatedly and excessively wetting and drying your nails or exposing your nails to nail polish remover and other solvents and chemicals.
Considerations
If your brittle nails are due to an underlying medical condition, you'll need to have your doctor properly diagnose and treat the condition in order to strengthen your nails. Keep in mind that any other treatment for brittle nails won't necessarily cure your problem if you have an untreated medical condition that's causing your nails to break easily.
Treatments
If you have brittle nails due to other causes like contact with chemicals or water, try wearing gloves while you're handling detergents and chemicals or while you're performing tasks that wet your nails. You can also try using less harsh nail polishes and removal chemicals. If you suspect that your brittle nails are due to a nutritional deficiency, you can take iron and zinc supplements . Also, taking a biotin supplement may help improve your nails' strength, hardness and thickness. Taking the herb horsetail or the mineral silicon may also help treat brittle nails.
Misconceptions
Although gelatin-based remedies have been widely marketed for the past 100 years or longer for treating brittle nails, little to no scientific evidence exists to support this claim. Made from cows' hooves and other connective tissues, gelatin contains high levels of protein that may be responsible for strengthening nails. Unfortunately, more recent medical evidence has found that gelatin is ineffective for treating brittle nails, mainly because the condition is linked to moisture deficiencies in the nails and not lack of protein.
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