Weak, Brittle Fingernails

Weak, brittle nails are an annoying and persistent problem that affects more than 20 percent of people living in the United States, according to a study by the American Academy of Dermatology. For some people, cracking and chipping nails are just a minor inconvenience, but for others they can be a hindrance to daily activities. There are many ways to prevent and treat weak, brittle nails.

Healthy Nails

Nails are made out of a protein called keratin, which serves as a protective covering for sensitive fingers and toes. Nails grow from under the cuticle; as new cells develop, the old ones harden and are pushed out toward your fingertips, according to the Mayo Clinic website. Healthy nails are smooth, without any ridges or grooves, and they have a uniform color.

Symptoms of Weak Nails

Weak nails look markedly different from healthy ones. They often have ridges and pits, and they chip and break easily, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, or AOCD. Weak nails are most commonly either dry and brittle, which is caused by too little moisture, or soft and brittle, caused by too much moisture, according to the AOCD. Weak nails also can be thin and cause hangnails.

Causes of Weak Nails

The most common cause of weak, brittle nails is repeatedly wetting and drying them, according to the AOCD. The problem can be worse in the winter when the dry air removes moisture from the nails. Occasionally iron or vitamin deficiencies can cause nails to weaken; however, there usually is a major change in the color or shape of the nail if that's the problem, according to the website HomeRemediesForYou. Very rarely a disease can weaken the nails, according to the AOCD.

Treating and Preventing Weak Nails

You can improve your nail health just by changing a few habits. Avoid biting, tearing or picking at your nails, and make sure to keep hangnails clipped, according to the National Institutes of Health. File your nails regularly, and clip them relatively short, straight across the top. Avoid colored nail polish and household cleaners, and wear gloves when doing chores. Rub a skin-softening cream into your cuticles after bathing to help keep your nails moisturized and healthy. In the case of more stubborn weak nails, taking a biotin supplement and coating your nails in clear polish can help lock in the moisture.

Concerns

Injuries, infections, diseases and poisons all can cause the nails to weaken, according to the National Institutes of Health. Contact your doctor if your nails turn a bluish color; develop horizontal ridges, white lines, or pitting; turn pale or develop a white color; or begin to curl or separate from the nail bed. Contact your doctor immediately if you have splinter hemorrhages, which are narrow lines of blood beneath your nail that look like a splinter.