Brittle nails

Brittle nails are common in people with kidney disease, and also iron deficiency called anemia. An underlying thyroid disease could also he a cause of brittle and dry fingernails that chip, crack and split easily. Prolonged fungal infection can also make nails brittle.

Brittle fingernails are a common condition, occurring in about 20 % of people; more women than men develop brittle nails. 1 Brittle nails usually break or peel off in horizontal layers, starting at the nail's free end.

The term brittle nails can also refer to a condition in which lengthwise splits appear in the nail.

Brittleness in the nail may be caused by trauma, such as repeated wetting and drying, repeated exposure to detergents and water, and excessive exposure to harsh solvents, such as those found in nail polish remover. 2,3 If your nails are regularly exposed to such stresses, it may be worth trying protective gloves when washing dishes and doing other chores.

Nail brittleness may also be caused by an underlying medical condition, such as Raynaud's disease , low thyroid function , or lung conditions. 4,5 Other possible causes include skin diseases as well as endocrine disorders, tuberculosis, Sjogren's syndrome , and malnutrition. 6 Selenium poisoning can also cause brittle nails. 7

Because of all these possibilities, it is important to rule out a serious underlying problem before trying nutritional or herbal treatments for brittle nails.

Principal Proposed Natural Treatments Although no herb or supplement has been proven effective for brittle nails, there is some evidence that the B vitamin biotin might help.

The herb horsetail , naturally high in silicon, is also sometimes mentioned as a treatment for brittle nails A number of other nutritional therapies have been tried as well, including calcium , cysteine, gelatin-containing preparations, iron , vitamin A , and zinc . However, as of yet, there is no real evidence that any of these treatments are effective. 16 * Gawkrodger DJ.

Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation.

Scanning electron microscope observations of hoof horn from horses with brittle feet.

Treatment of brittle fingernails and onychoschizia with biotin: scanning electron microscopy.

Treatment of brittle finger nails with biotin [in German; English abstract].

Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation.

Treatment of brittle fingernails and onychoschizia with biotin: scanning electron microscopy.