Brittle hair and nails can be a cosmetic frustration, but they can also have a more serious significance. If your hair and nails suddenly start breaking off, you may have developed a nutritional deficiency or other disease that is affecting their growth. Healthy nails are normally all one color and smooth. Healthy hair has a shine that comes from a healthy cuticle, the outer layer of the hair shaft. Because hair and nails grow relatively fast and are also plainly visible, they readily show signs of disease that might otherwise be ignored.
Symptoms
Brittle nails break easily. Brittle nails may also develop pits, indentations or ridges across them. Brittle hair is dry and dull, and often splits or breaks off near the head. Brittle hair may also appear thin.
Causes
A number of diseases can cause brittle hair and nails. Malnutrition caused by eating disorders, extreme dieting or diseases that interfere with absorption of nutrients can all cause brittle hair and nails. Hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid gland, can also cause brittle hair and nails along with dry skin. Deficiencies in calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium can cause brittle nails, Something Fishy, a website about eating disorders explains. Vitamin A and B complex deficiencies, particularly biotin, can cause brittle, dry or thinning hair. Chronic kidney disease and other chronic diseases can also cause your hair to fall out or nails to break off.
Diagnosis
If your nails and hair become brittle and you don't know why, see your medical practitioner to figure out what the problem is. If you've recently lost weight or aren't eating well, you may already know the cause, but may need medical help to get your diet back on track for healthy nutrition.
Treatment
Treatment for brittle nails and hair depends on the cause. Taking vitamin supplements to treat nutritional deficiencies and changing your diet by increasing calories, protein, fats or other essential nutrients will help if poor diet is causing your symptoms. Getting enough protein is essential if you want healthy looking hair and nails. Treatment for hypothyroidism often consists of daily hormone replacement pills.
Considerations
The hair and nails you see today have been growing for a while, so changing your diet, adding vitamins or taking medication won't cause an immediate change. Your nails may develop indentations or pits that indicate poor nutrition. These abnormalities can take up to nine months to grow out, registered dietitian Joanne Larsen explains on her website, Ask the Dietitian.
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