Do your fingernails break easily, peel at the edges or develop cracks even when you are not doing heavy work? Brittle nails are a common problem and can sometimes be connected to everyday habits or underlying health conditions.
Here are seven possible reasons.
1. Frequent contact with water
Repeatedly soaking your hands and allowing them to dry can weaken the structure of your nails. Frequent washing may contribute to dryness.
2. Exposure to cleaning chemicals
Detergents, bleach and other household cleaning products can irritate the skin around your nails and contribute to dryness and brittleness.
3. Iron deficiency
Low iron levels may sometimes be associated with nail changes. In more significant cases, nails can become unusually thin or spoon-shaped.
4. Ageing
Nails often become more brittle as people grow older. Changes in nail growth and moisture can make splitting more common.
5. Nail products and treatments
Frequent use of nail polish remover, artificial nails and aggressive manicure techniques may weaken or damage nails.
6. Thyroid disorders
Both underactive and overactive thyroid conditions can sometimes affect nail growth and appearance.
7. Certain skin conditions
Psoriasis and fungal nail infections can cause changes in nail thickness, colour and texture. Not every discoloured or brittle nail is caused by a vitamin deficiency.
How can you protect your nails?
Wear protective gloves when washing dishes or handling cleaning products. Keep your nails at a manageable length and moisturise your hands and nail edges regularly.
Avoid biting your nails or repeatedly using them to open containers. Eat a balanced diet containing adequate protein, iron and other nutrients.
If several nails suddenly change appearance, become painful, separate from the nail bed or develop persistent discolouration, seek medical advice.
Taking care of your nails involves more than applying polish. Their appearance can sometimes provide clues about your general health, although nail changes alone cannot diagnose a medical condition.
Leave a Reply