Fingernails are made up of a protein called keratin. In healthy individuals, keratin ensures that the nails are strong and do not break easily. Certain conditions can affect the health and the strength of the fingernails and cause them to become brittle, which makes them more prone to breakage and peeling.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland is a small gland located in the front of the neck that is responsible for producing hormones that aid in a number of body functions, especially proper metabolism. Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to properly carry out important body functions. This is usually due to damage to the thyroid gland caused by autoimmune diseases, surgery, radiation therapy or certain medications. MayoClinic.com notes that symptoms of hypothyroidism can vary depending on the severity of the deficiency, but general symptoms include fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold temperatures, pale skin, puffiness in the face, voice changes, weight gain, muscle and body aches, muscle weakness and brittle fingernails and hair. Once it is damaged, the thyroid gland cannot be stimulated to make thyroid hormones, but symptoms can be prevented with a lifelong supplementation of synthetic thyroid hormones.
Lichen Planus
Lichen planus is a skin condition characterized by the development of reddish-purple bumps that often cause itchiness. The bumps most commonly appear on the wrists, forearms and ankles, but can also affect the scalp, nails, inside of the mouth and genitals, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. When lichen planus appears on the scalp, it can result in hair loss and when it appears on the nails, it can cause brittle nails that split and peel. The exact cause of lichen planus is unknown, but it has been determined that the condition is not contagious. There is no cure for lichen planus, but the American Academy of Family Physicians notes that the condition usually goes away within a year without medical treatment. Medicated creams and ointments can be applied to relieve itching until the condition goes away.
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not contain enough healthy red blood cells to adequately deliver oxygen to the tissues. Iron-deficiency anemia is a type of anemia caused by a lack of available iron in the body. A lack of iron may be caused by severe blood loss, inadequate dietary intake of iron or inability to absorb iron. MedlinePlus notes that iron-deficiency anemia in children can also occur as a result of lead poisoning. Symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia include brittle fingers, decreased appetite, fatigue, headache, irritability, paleness of the skin, shortness of breath and weakness. Iron-deficiency anemia can usually be easily treated with an increase of iron-rich foods in the diet or iron supplements. If iron-deficiency anemia is caused by severe blood loss, blood transfusions can be used to replace missing blood and correct the anemia.
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