Brittle Nails: Causes and When They Matter

Farzollah Gholizadeh and Fariba Bayrami

Nails that break easily or peel in layers are one of the most common nail complaints.

Usually the cause is simple. But sometimes brittleness can be part of a wider picture in the body.

The most common causes: daily habits

In most cases of brittle nails, the cause is external:

• Frequent contact with water (washing up, cleaning, frequent hand-washing)
• Detergents and cleaning chemicals
• Acetone and solvents
• Frequent manicures, long-wear polish, gel and artificial nails
• Knocks and strain (using your nails as tools)
• Dry air and dry surroundings

As nails get wet and dry, they swell and shrink; over time this constant cycle weakens them.

So when should you suspect a cause “from inside”?

If the brittleness is severe, constant and new, or comes with other symptoms, a wider picture needs to be looked at. An assessment may consider:

• Nutritional status and absorption of nutrients
• Iron and other nutrients
• Thyroid disorders
• Some skin conditions
• The person’s general health

The traditional medicine view

In Avicennian–Greek medicine, the quality and strength of the nail are important for assessing how well the tissues are nourished and the body’s balance of moisture and dryness .

In general, dryness, brittleness and roughness, together with other signs, can point to increased dryness in the body. But on its own this is not a diagnosis of temperament.

Another basic principle of traditional medicine is this: the quality of a tissue depends on the quality of digestion. Problems with digestion and absorption can, over time, show in the skin, hair and nails.

Ask yourself

• Were my nails always like this, or have they changed in recent months?
• How much water and detergent are my hands exposed to during the day?
• Is it one nail, or all of them?
• Is my hair or skin also dry or changed?
• Do I have tiredness, pallor, feeling cold, weight change or digestive complaints?

If you answer “yes” to the last two questions, your nails may be only one part of the picture.

When should you see a doctor?

• If the brittleness is new and getting worse quickly
• If the nail’s shape has changed (dipping like a spoon, thickening)
• If the nail is lifting from its bed
• If the brittleness comes with tiredness, pallor, palpitations, hair loss or weight change

Frequently asked questions

Are brittle nails a vitamin deficiency?
They can be, but usually aren’t. Review your daily habits first; if you suspect a deficiency, get a blood test.

Does nail polish weaken nails?
Frequent polish, acetone and gel treatments can dry out and weaken the nails.

How long do brittle nails take to improve?
Because nails grow slowly, it can take months to see an improvement.

Conclusion

Brittle nails are usually the result of daily habits. But brittleness that is new, severe or seen together with other symptoms calls for a look at the body’s general condition.

For everything nails say about your health, read our article “What Do Your Nails Say About Your Health?” .

If you want to learn the body’s sign language step by step, Dr Kalan’s book “Elaim & Delail” and the online course “ “Reading the Body’s Signs” (in Turkish) will guide you.

This article is for information only and does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment.