Nails are important for protecting and supporting the tissues in your fingers. They can be a sign of your health, a precursor to diseases such as heart disease or diabetes. Brittle, yellow nails may be a sign of aging, since nails can thicken and become susceptible to fungal infections as you get older. There are treatments that may help restore your nail's natural condition.
Identification
Your nails consist of laminated layers of keratin, a type of protein. Under your cuticles, new cells grow and the old cells become hard and compact, according to the Mayo Clinic. The hardened skin cells are the visible part of your nail. Healthy nails are smooth and consistent. They are uniform in color and do not have ridges, grooves, spots or discolorations. Vertical ridges are harmless and become more prominent with age.
Brittle Yellow Nails
Brittle nails can be a sign of aging. They are characterized by vertical splitting or a separation of the nail plate layers. Yellow nails can result from a respiratory condition or from swelling of the hands, according to the Mayo Clinic. Yellow nail syndrome makes nails thicken and grow slowly, creating brittle yellow nails. Other reasons for yellow, dry nails are lung disease or diabetes. Fungal infections of the nail will create brittle, yellow nails. As the fungus feeds on the nail protein, debris accumulates under the nail bed, discoloring the nail and making it brittle.
Causes
Vitamin and nutrition deficiencies can cause nails to become yellow and brittle. Not enough nutrients can slow nail growth, which can lead to discoloring. Just as your organs require nutrients, so do your hair, nails and skin. Diseases that rob your body of essential nutrients, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, can cause your nails to become dry and turn yellow. The cause of yellow nail syndrome is unknown but is thought to be from immunodeficiency syndromes, internal malignancies, rheumatoid arthritis, pleural effusions or lymphatic abnormality, according to the DermNet NZ website.
Treatment
Nail fungus is often treated with topical anti-fungal creams, lotions, gels and lacquers and some infections require oral medicines such as itraconazole, terbinafine and fluconazole, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Vitamin E supplementation has been effective in treating yellow nail syndrome. Itraconazole and fluconazole help to speed up the rate of nail growth and may benefit yellow nail syndrome, which is characterized by a slowing or stopping of nail growth.
Considerations
Contact your doctor if you are concerned about your yellow brittle nails as he will be able to determine the cause and the best treatment. Nutrition can affect your nails. Calcium, vitamin A, protein or iron deficiency may be causing your brittle nails. Food sources good for healthy nails include milk, lean meat, fish, chicken, legumes, eggs, green leafy vegetables and water, according to the Nestle Family website.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology: Nail Fungus and Nail Health
- Mayo Clinic: Adult Health: Nails: How to Keep Your Fingernails Healthy and Strong
- MedlinePlus: Nail Abnormalities
- Hooked on Nails: Nail Diseases and Disorders
- Mayo Clinic: Adult Health: Fingernails -- 7 Signs of Possible Health Problems
- DermNet NZ: Yellow Nail Syndrome
