If your nails are weak, flaky and prone to breaking, you're not alone. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, up to 20 percent of the population is affected by brittle nails. No matter the cause of your brittle nails, having them can diminish your self-confidence and make daily activities more challenging.
Signs and Symptoms
Brittle nails tend to break off easily. They also commonly peel (beginning at the tips of the nail), chip and split. Moreover, people with brittle nails typically have trouble growing their nails out to a sizable length.
Causes
Although many are genetically predisposed to brittle nails, some causes of brittle nails are environmental. People whose nails are frequently exposed to water, dry air and indoor heat may find that their nails have become brittle. Frequent exposure to chemicals such as those found in nail polish remover can also cause nails to become brittle. Health conditions such as hyperthyroidism (overproduction of the thyroid hormone), hypothyroidism (underproduction of the thyroid hormone), malnutrition and vitamin deficiency can also cause nails to become brittle. Finally, nails become more brittle and dry with age.
Risk Factors
Even if a person's brittle nails have simply been handed down to him, his nail problems may become exacerbated by his lifestyle. For example, a person who frequently washes her hands on the job, regularly sustains injuries to the tips of her nails and lives in an arid climate may develop particularly brittle nails.
Prevention
Nails may be less brittle if they are consistently kept short. Nails that have the potential to become weak and flaky should also be kept moisturized, particularly after washing and bathing. One way to help them retain moisture is to apply a softening cream at bedtime and cover the hands with cotton gloves overnight. Finally, it is important to avoid picking, tearing and chewing on nails.
Treatment
Some vitamins are thought to treat brittle nails. For example, the Mayo Clinic recommends that people with flaky and weak nails should take 2.5 mg of biotin on a daily basis to increase nail thickness. However, not all medical professionals are convinced that supplements are effective. Nails will receive strength support if they are lacquered regularly with clear nail polish and moisture support if they are consistently moisturized with cream. If an underlying condition such as hypothyroidism is the cause of brittle nails, the treatment for the condition may end up also being the treatment for the associated brittle nails.
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