Weak or Brittle Nails: What Your Body May Be Telling You
Brittle, splitting, peeling, or easily broken nails are very common, particularly with aging, and they don’t automatically mean that something is seriously wrong. Frequent contact with water, detergents, hand sanitizer, nail polish/remover, and minor trauma can all weaken nails.
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MedlinePlus
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However, persistent nail changes can sometimes provide clues about an underlying condition.
Possible explanations
1. Normal aging
Nails tend to grow more slowly and can become drier and more fragile as we get older.
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MedlinePlus
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2. Iron deficiency
Thin, brittle nails—particularly nails that become spoon-shaped and curve upward—can occur with iron-deficiency anemia.
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American Academy of Dermatology
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3. Thyroid problems
Both an underactive and overactive thyroid can be associated with brittle, peeling, slowly growing, or lifting nails.
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American Academy of Dermatology
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4. Fungal infection
If a nail becomes thick, yellowish, crumbly, distorted, or starts lifting, a fungal infection is one possibility. It can look similar to other nail conditions, so testing may sometimes be necessary.
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American Academy of Dermatology
5. Psoriasis or other skin conditions
Nail psoriasis can cause pitting, splitting, discoloration, or separation of the nail from its bed.
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American Academy of Dermatology
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6. Repeated exposure to water and chemicals
Frequent wetting and drying of the nails can cause them to become dry and brittle. Cleaning products and cosmetic nail treatments can contribute as well.
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Cleveland Clinic
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What you can do
Keep nails reasonably short.
Wear gloves when washing dishes or using cleaning chemicals.
Moisturize your hands and nails regularly.
Avoid aggressively scraping underneath the nails.
Limit harsh nail-polish removers and repeated manicures if your nails are splitting.
Eat a varied diet rather than automatically taking supplements.
Don’t assume brittle nails mean you need biotin, iron, or another supplement. A deficiency should ideally be established before taking high-dose supplements.
When should you get checked?
See a doctor or dermatologist if the changes are persistent, involve several nails, or are accompanied by pain, swelling, significant discoloration, thickening, or nails separating from the nail bed.
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American Academy of Dermatology
A new dark streak running lengthwise through a fingernail or toenail deserves particular attention and should be examined by a dermatologist because, although uncommon, it can be a sign of melanoma.
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American Academy of Dermatology
Bottom line: Brittle nails are often simply related to aging or everyday wear and tear, but the pattern of the nail changes can sometimes point toward iron deficiency, thyroid disease, infection, psoriasis, or another condition. Nails alone cannot diagnose any of these problems.
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