Common Causes
What can I do about brittle nails?
- Use a moisturizer. Look for moisturizing hand lotions that contain lanolin or alpha-hydroxy acids. ...
- Protect your hands. When doing household chores, wear gloves, such as dishwashing gloves, to keep your hands dry. ...
- Care for your nails. Keep your nails short to minimize nail surface area, where water and chemicals can be absorbed. ...
- Speak to a doctor. ...
Related Conditions
How to strengthen nails naturally - Do's & Don'ts -
- Eat a nutrient dense diet. You have the most important nutrients for strong and healthy nails described above. ...
- Drink plenty of water. Water is absolutely essential for the proper functioning of the body. ...
- Protect your nails from trauma. ...
- Don’t overexpose your nails to water. ...
- Leave the cuticles alone. ...
- Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! ...
What is the best treatment for weak nails?
How to Strengthen Weak Fingernails Naturally
- Method 1 Method 1 of 4: Making Your Nails Stronger. Apply a coat of nail hardener to strengthen your nails. ...
- Method 2 Method 2 of 4: Protecting Your Nails. Wear protective gloves when you use cleaning products. ...
- Method 3 Method 3 of 4: Maintaining Healthy Grooming Habits. ...
- Method 4 Method 4 of 4: Seeking Medical Care. ...
How to strengthen nails naturally?
The following home remedies may aid in strengthening your nails:
- Mix one egg yolk with 2 tbsp of milk or cream, and apply the mixture to your nails. ...
- To 1 tbsp of warm olive oil, add 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp of beer and mix well. ...
- Dilute apple cider vinegar with equal amounts of water, and soak your nails in the solution for up to 10 minutes.
How can I strengthen my fingernails naturally?
How to harden nails naturally?
What are weak fingernails a symptom of?
Soft or weak Soft nails might be caused by overexposure to moisture or chemicals — think detergent, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, and nail polish remover. Weak nails might also be associated with a deficiency in B vitamins, calcium, iron, or fatty acids.
Can fingernails show signs of illness?
Ripples on nails or pitted nails may be caused by a skin disorder, psoriasis, eczema, or arthritis. Nail clubbing is when a nail curves under at the tip of the finger. It could indicate heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lung disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, or HIV/AIDS.
What diseases affect your fingernails?
Skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema (dermatitis), lichen planus or lupus can affect the nails. Abnormalities may include pits, grooves or crumbling nails.
What Vitamin Am I lacking if my nails are weak?
Vitamin C A deficiency in vitamin C can result in brittle nails, as well as slowed nail growth ( 18 ). Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and cannot be produced by your body.
What fingernails reveal about your health?
Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.
Why do doctors look at your fingernails?
Everything from poor diet and stress to serious kidney problems can be revealed by a glance at your fingernails. There are about 30 different nail signs that can be associated with medical issues, though many may indicate more than one problem, according to Dr.
What are the 5 common nail problems?
Tips to treat the 5 most common nail disorders: brittle nails, onycholysis, paronychia, psoriasis, onychomycosis.
What do nails look like with anemia?
Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.
What are 8 common nail disorders?
Here are some common nail conditions that we see regularly:Nail Clubbing. Nail clubbing occurs as the end portion of the nail raises up and rounds out. ... Hangnails. ... Ingrown Toenail. ... Splitting or Peeling nails. ... Nail Psoriasis. ... Yellow Discoloured Nails. ... Beau's Lines. ... Nail Fungus.More items...•
What does a vitamin deficiency look like on nails?
Nail plate discoloration can result from several nutritional deficiencies. Research has shown vitamin B12 deficiency to cause brown-gray nail discoloration. White nails can be the result of anemia and pink or red nails may suggest malnutrition with several nutrient and vitamin deficiencies.
What does vitamin D deficiency look like?
Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue and depression. To get enough D, look to certain foods, supplements, and carefully planned sunlight.
What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia can cause a wide range of symptoms. These usually develop gradually, but can worsen if the condition goes untreated.extreme tiredness (fatigue)lack of energy (lethargy)breathlessness.feeling faint.headaches.pale skin.noticeable heartbeats (palpitations)More items...
What does iron deficiency nails look like?
Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.
What are the 5 common nail problems?
Tips to treat the 5 most common nail disorders: brittle nails, onycholysis, paronychia, psoriasis, onychomycosis.
What do changes in your fingernails mean?
Abnormalities — such as spots, discoloration, and nail separation — can result from injuries to the fingers and hands, viral warts (periungual warts), infections (onychomycosis), and some medications, such as those used for chemotherapy. Certain medical conditions can also change the appearance of your fingernails.
What vitamin deficiency causes vertical lines in fingernails?
Our nails naturally develop slight vertical ridges as we age. However, severe and raised ridges can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin B12 or keratin can result in fingernail ridges.
Why do my nails get so bad?
This common problem can happen because of an issue with your diet or the chemicals your hands are exposed to. Nails are formed in the nail matrix, the root of the nail. If you are malnourished or lack certain nutrients, your body doesn’t have the material to make good nails, Rich said.
How many nail symptoms are there?
Here are seven nail symptoms and what to do next:
What do ridges on nails and white spots say about your overall health?
What do brittle nails, ridges on nails and white spots say about your overall health? "A lot of times we'll learn in training that the nails can be a window into your health because they can sometimes be an indicator of some underlying medical problems," said Dr. Natalie Azar. eyepark / Getty Images stock.
How to stop a nail from swelling?
Course of action: Soak your nail in hot water two or three times a day to help reduce the swelling and pain, experts note. Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or other medicine.
Why are my fingernails brown?
If you have brown fingernails and the discoloration is round, as opposed to linear, it could be another condition. For example, brown spots on nails, especially if they're pitted, could be a sign of nail psoriasis.
Why do my nails have brown spots?
Hormones and certain medications can also make pigmented bands in the nails, but be especially watchful for nail cancer symptoms, such as a brown or dark stripe that goes from the cuticle out to the free edge of the nail, especially one that’s getting wider.
What causes a nail to stop growing?
Triggers can include high fever, chemotherapy, a serious illness, major surgery, blood transfusion, a car accident or any major stress to your system, Rich noted.
What are the signs of a diseased nail?
According to Norris, more concerning signs of disease of a nail include the following: pitting. ridging. discoloration. longitudinal and transverse grooving. changes in thickness and surface texture. Nail health.
How to fix weak nails?
The fix: Avoid having chemicals around your nails. Go natural to give your nails a chance to recover. Weak nails are most likely associated with a deficiency in B vitamins, calcium, iron, or fatty acids. Norris explains that it’s best not to take iron as a supplement unless you know you’re deficient. Instead, start taking a multivitamin that includes calcium and B vitamins.
How many nails are abnormal?
Norris points out that true nail abnormalities generally only involve one or two nails and aren’t related to any major health concerns.
Why do my nails crack?
They’re also more often seen in women. Officially called onychoschizia, brittle nails are usually caused by repeated wetting and drying of your fingernails, so you should use gloves when getting your hands wet, such as when doing dishes.
Why do my nails have vertical ridges?
The fix: See a doctor to find the underlying cause. Vertical ridges could be indicative of iron deficiency anemia while horizontal lines could point to an underlying condition such as kidney disease, which can actually stop nail growth until the problem has been treated.
Why do my nails turn yellow?
Yellow nails are, believe it or not, relatively common, and usually caused by one of two factors: an infection or a reaction from a product you’ve been using , such as nail polish.
Why do my nails peel?
Nails can also peel if you soak your hands too long in sudsy water.
What Does Weak Fingernails Mean?
For seniors, weak fingernails that feels soft and easily chip, crack, split, or peel may simply be a sign of ageing. Nails get progressively brittle as we grow older, says the NYU Medical Center and is indeed the most common cause of this nail problem.
Why do my fingernails get weak?
Excessive exposure to moisture: Spending lots of time working with water e.g. dishwashing, swimming, etc. can also cause weak fingernails.
What to use to fix weak nails?
Use Nail Hardeners. Nail hardeners can as well help strengthen and fix weak fingernails but choosing the right product is key to effective treatment. The WebMD suggests looking for nail hardeners formulated with nylon or sulfhydryl protein. A product that contains these two ingredients is even better.
How to fix a weak fingernail?
Here is how to go about fixing weak fingernails with the oil: Pop a vitamin E capsule open. Dab the oil gently on your nails and cuticles. Massage the fingernails for 5 minutes hereabout, then leave the oil to soak in naturally. Repeat this remedy daily to get rid of the problem.
Why are my fingernails paper thin?
Are you concerned about paper thin, weak fingernails and associated symptoms such as hair loss? Your diet (nutrition) could be to blame but beyond dietary deficiency of minerals and vitamins , there are other causes of weak, peeling fingernails – sometimes with ridges – ranging from benign to more serious. Continue reading to discover not only not the common causes but also how to fix weak fingernails at home.
Why do my nails peel?
Nutritional deficiency: According to the WebMD, low dietary intake of vitamins such as “folic acid and vitamin B-12 can cause weak, ridged, and even peeling nails”. Inadequate intake of protein and essential minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, copper and selenium can also cause weak fingernails and in some cases, hair loss.
What is the best oil for thin fingernails?
Coconut, castor, argan, jojoba, avocado, and olive oil all make for a great way to treat thin, soft fingernails naturally. They all help to moisturize and strengthen the nails. As regards how to fix weak fingernails with these oils, a guideline is provided below: Pour some oil of your choice in a small bowl.
Why do my nails look white?
The separated part becomes opaque and appears with a white, a yellow or a green tinge. It could be due to an injury infection or it could be due to a drug or consumer product used. Nail hardeners and adhesives are common factors resulting in nail separation.
Why do you check your nails in between manicures?
Because your fingernails and health signs are linked, checking them in between manicures allows you to catch any issues that may arise, sooner rather than later. Having any of these signs does not necessarily mean that you have those diseases, it however shows that you need to get opinions from qualified medical staff regarding issues as soon as possible. Furthermore, ensure that you moisturize your hands often to ensure that mild signs are alleviated in a short period of time.
Why do my nails get scooped out?
These are soft nails that appear scooped out. The depression in the nail is large enough to hold a drop of some form of liquid. It is often a sign of iron deficiency or a liver condition.
Why do my fingernails split?
Sometimes even living n a region with low humidity causes your fingernails to deteriorate. Fungal diseases often cause your nails to split, whilst brittle nails can be caused due to a vitamin deficiency.
Why do my nails turn yellow?
Yellow Nail syndrome occurs when the nail thickens, and the growth of your nail slows down. This causes the nail to become yellow. Sometimes the cuticle is missing, and it is detached from the nail bed in certain places. This syndrome is often caused by respiratory diseases and can sometimes be related to swelling of your hands.
Why do my fingernails have pink bands?
This condition appears as a white nail bed with a pink band at the tip of your fingernails. This condition is often due to aging . terry’s nails can also be associated with liver disease, diabetes and kidney failure.
How to tell if you have paronychia?
Chronic paronychia often starts on one nail and spreads to others. The nail folds may have the following symptoms: redness . pain. swelling . yellow or green pus. lifting of the nail from the bed. tenderness.
What does it mean when your nail grows thick?
Symptoms. When a person has onychogryphosis, the nail grows very thick. In other cases, a portion of the nail may grow larger than the other part. The growth can resemble a ram’s horn, so people often refer to it as Ram’s horn nails.
What causes redness and swelling around the edges of a nail bed?
Paronychia is an infection that causes redness and swelling around the edges of a nail bed.
What is it called when your toes separate from your nail bed?
Onycholysis is when the toe or fingernail painlessly separates from the nail bed. It typically occurs slowly over time and could result from an underlying health condition or injury.
Why do my toes break?
Nail fungal infections are a common condition that causes the nails to become thick, discolored, and easier to break. Nail fungus is more common in the toes than fingers.
Why do my nails dent?
Nail psoriasis can cause nail denting or crumbling.
What causes a big toe to grow longer?
Onychogryphosis is a condition where the nail becomes overgrown and thick, often affecting the big toe. It can cause one portion of the nail to grow longer than the other part.
Why are my nails pale?
Pale Nails and especially very pale nails (and skin) can be signs of anemia (low blood iron), lack of nutrition (whole vitamin sources), congestive heart failure and liver disease. White Nails with additional markers signify different things. White with darker rims can be a sign of hepatitis.
What does it mean when your nails are bluish?
Bluish Nails, like bluish lips, can represent extreme cold or lack of oxygen. If you are not cold, then they can indicate respiratory issues like COPD and emphysema.
Why are my fingernails yellow?
Caveat: smoking can also stain the fingernails yellow as can use of nail polish.
Why do my nails have black lines?
Black Nails or dark lines under the nails could be a sign of dangerous skin cancer, like the deadly melanoma.
Why do my nails turn red?
Puffy Red Nail Fold is due to inflammation around the edges of the nail, especially at the base. This may be due to injury, infection or connective tissue diseases like lupus.
How do healers get clues?
Traditional healers, naturopaths and even old-school physicians can get clues as to the state and quality of your health by looking at you.
What does it mean when your nails are white?
If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis. In this image, you can see the fingers are also jaundiced, another sign of liver trouble. Swipe to advance.
Why do my nails look white?
A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails. Keep reading to learn what secrets your nails might reveal. Swipe to advance.
Why are my nails yellow?
Yellow Nails. One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble. In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate a more serious condition such as severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes or psoriasis.
Why do my nails crack?
Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.
What does it mean when your toenail is rippled?
If the nail surface is rippled or pitted, this may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Discoloration of the nail is common; the skin under the nail can seem reddish-brown.
Why are my nails bluish?
Nails with a bluish tint can mean the body isn't getting enough oxygen. This could indicate a lung problem, such as emphysema. Some heart problems can be associated with bluish nails.
Why is my toenail red?
If the skin around the nail appears red and puffy, this is known as inflammation of the nail fold . It may be the result of lupus or another connective tissue disorder. Infection can also cause redness and inflammation of the nail fold. Swipe to advance.
What do your nails tell you about your health?
You may not look very often at your fingernails, but did you know that your fingernails can tell you a lot about your health? Did you know there are hundreds of medical conditions and diseases that may cause nail changes? Your nails can show the history of recent health and physiological problems, and has been used as a diagnostic tool since ancient times.
Why do my fingernails hurt?
Sometimes it might be a fungal infection or injury, but your fingernails can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying problem, such as problem in the liver, lungs or heart.
Why are my nails thick?
There are a few reasons for having thick nails but they are commonly caused a fungal nail infection, but can also result from psoriasis and reactive arthritis (a painful form of inflammatory arthritis). Yellowish, thickened, slow-growing nails can also indicate lung diseases.
Why do my nails turn yellow?
2. Discolored nails. Yellow nails can occur due to a long use of nail varnish, but can indicate fungal nail infection or psoriasis.
Why do my nails have a pink moon?
According to Dr. L Reed, ND, the half moons at the base of your fingernail is an indicator of good thyroid health. Each nail that is missing a half moon indicates a weaker thyroid. Weak thyroid can lead to mood swings, depression, thinning hair as well as other symptoms.
Why do my nails get brittle?
Brittle or crumbly nail can be a result of aging or a long exposure to detergents or nail polish, but sometimes it can indicate a fungal nail infection, Lichen planus (a condition that forms an itchy rash on the skin or in the mouth), thyroid disease or psoriasis.
What does it mean when your nails are green?
Green-black nails – indicate bacterial infection that usually occurs under loose nails. Bluish or purple fingernail beds may indicate oxygen deprivation. Grey nails – can be caused by certain medications. Brown nails – can indicate a thyroid disease or malnutrition.
