Written by Tracy Norfleet, MD, MBA, FACP, ABOM | Reviewed by Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH Published on June 5, 2023
Key takeaways:
- Brittle nails may be dry or soft, but they’re more fragile and can break easily.
- Harsh chemicals, low iron levels, fungal infections, and medications can all make nails brittle.
- You can strengthen brittle nails by giving them extra moisture and protecting them from chemicals and hand sanitizer.
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Do your nails seem thin or break easily? These nail changes are signs of weak, brittle nails. If you’re wondering why your nails are so brittle, you might be surprised to learn that everyday exposures can weaken your nails.
Fragile nails can also be a sign of medical conditions or vitamin deficiencies. But there are steps you can take to strengthen your nails and restore them to their usual shine.
What are brittle nails?
Brittle nails are a sign of nail weakness that can make nails softer and thinner. You have brittle nails when they’re fragile and break easily. Brittle nails are more likely to:
- Split
- Crack
- Chip
- Peel
- Flake
- Crumble
You may also notice ridges on your nails if your nails are brittle.
What causes brittle nails?
Nails are made up of layers of keratin that are pressed together. Keratin gives nails their strength. There’s also water and oils between the layers that hydrate the nail and keep it slightly flexible. Blood vessels underneath the nail bring oxygen and nutrients so that nails can grow. Anything that damages these things can lead to weak, worn down, and brittle nails.
Let’s review some common causes of brittle nails.
Aging
As you get older, nails tend to become more brittle. Your nails are slowly but constantly growing. As people get older, nails grow more slowly. Since nails take more time to grow out, they spend a lot more time exposed to things like dry air, water, and chemicals that can damage them. Menopause also causes changes to the amount of oil inside the nail. Lower oil levels can lead to dry, brittle nails.
Hand-washing
While good hand-washing can keep you healthy, frequent hand-washing can also damage nails. Constantly wetting and then drying your hands can dry out your nails and make them brittle.
In some jobs, frequent hand-washing just comes with the territory. And hand sanitizer isn’t any easier on your nails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can strip oil and water from your nails, leading to dry, weak nails.
If you work as a cleaner, hairdresser, or healthcare professional, take extra care of your hands to keep your nails safe from other things that can cause brittle nails. Wearing gloves whenever possible can also protect your nails.
Chemicals
Harsh chemicals can damage your nails, making them softer and brittle. Regular household cleaners like bleach, cleaning powders, and even detergents contain powerful ingredients that can hurt keratin and dry out your nails.
Your weekly manicure could also be making your nails brittle. Regular nail polish hasn’t been linked to brittle nails, but research shows that other nail care products can weaken nails. Nail polish remover, gel nail polish, acrylics, and the chemicals used to remove them can all weaken and thin nails.
Low iron levels
Brittle nails aren’t usually a sign of a vitamin deficiency, but they can be a sign of iron deficiency. Iron is an essential mineral that the body needs to make red blood cells. Low iron levels can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. People with low iron levels can develop nail changes including brittle nails.
Fungus infections
Nail fungus eats away at the keratin in your nails. At first, you might only notice some mild nail discoloration with a fungus infection. Over time, nail fungus causes nails to break, crack, and even crumble.
Fungal infections are a major source of nail changes. But, they can be treated. Early treatment, before the fungus has time to cause more serious damage, can help nails to recover.
Medical conditions
Some medical conditions affect the nails. Psoriasis and eczema can cause nail changes including soft, brittle nails. Hypothyroidism can also make nails dry and brittle. In fact, 9 in 10 people with hypothyroidism notice nail changes.
How do you fix brittle nails?
There’s no quick fix for brittle nails. But there are things you can do to protect your nails so they grow back stronger.
Wear gloves
Protect your hands from exposure to moisture and chemicals by wearing gloves when cleaning and washing dishes. Depending on your job, wearing gloves can protect your nails from overexposure to moisture.
Opt for natural nails
Give your nails a break from nail polish removers and adhesives. If you can’t give up manicures entirely, try to limit how often you get them and opt for shorter nails, which are less likely to dry out. Ask your nail technician to skip cutting your cuticles, too. This helps avoid infection and damage.
Moisturize your nails
Moisturizing protects your nails from drying out and adds back some of the natural oil that can be lost from exposure to chemicals and hand-washing.
Apply a hand cream to your nails and cuticles. Pick a cream that’s fragrance-free and contains ingredients like urea or lactic acid. You can also apply petroleum jelly, like Vaseline or Aquaphor, to your cuticles, fingertips, and nails to help lock in moisture.
For a moisture boost, add a weekly paraffin wax bath to your nail care routine. These treatments are available at salons and for home use.
Use gentle nail care
When it’s time to trim your nails, be gentle. Don’t trim down too far because this can increase your risk for ingrown nails.
Buff your nails only in the direction they grow. Buffing in a back-and-forth motion can cause nail splitting. If you file your nails, use a very fine file and round the tips in a gentle curve.
Clean your nails with a soft nail brush. Avoid sharp instruments to clean under your nails because it can lead to infection or injury.
`You can top off your nail care routine with a once-a-week clear nail polish that contains nylon fibers. This adds artificial hardness to your nails without causing damage. Don’t remove the varnish with nail polish remover, simply add a new layer the next week.
Eat more biotin
Biotin (vitamin B7) is a B vitamin that’s found in many foods, such as fish, meat, seeds, and some vegetables (like sweet potatoes).
There’s some evidence that biotin supplements can help strengthen nails. But it’s not clear how much biotin people should take or whether biotin will help everyone.
You can try getting more biotin into your diet naturally. Biotin supplements are also available over the counter. If you have iron deficiency, you can also add an iron supplement to your daily routine.
The bottom line
Brittle nails are more prone to cracking, peeling, and crumbling. The most common causes of brittle nails are aging, frequent hand-washing, and harsh chemicals. Wearing rubber gloves and protecting your nails from becoming too dry are helpful ways to prevent brittle nails.
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