Did you know brittle nails can sometimes indicate something going on internally? As a dermatology physician assistant, I see and treat many different types of nail disorders. Some are easier to treat than others.
Nail changes can have a negative impact on someone’s day-to-day activities. There are types of nail disorders that can be painful and make using your hands difficult. Other types of nail disorders are simply embarrassing and hard to cover up.
If you are experiencing brittle nails and aren’t sure why, then this post will hopefully contain some helpful education on why it may be happening. When in doubt, go see your dermatology medical provider for further evaluation and treatment.
Without further ado here are 4 common reasons someone may be experiencing brittle nails and or nail changes in general.
1. Repetitive chemical exposure
If you are someone who works with chemicals whether it is for your job or a hobby then that could be causing irritation of your nail bed leading to nail changes. Sometimes it is as simple as using household cleaning supplies a few times a week that can lead to these changes.
The key is to wear gloves. If you have a latex allergy then you’ll want to find non-latex gloves to wear at all times when handling chemicals. You can also try coating your nails and nail bed with Vaseline to help protect your skin barrier.
Besides chemical exposure, another irritant that can cause nail changes is repetitive manicures and or nail polish removal. I know that’s not something a lot of women want to hear but it’s true.
If you are treating yourself to monthly manicures and it’s not simply painting the nails then the repetitive trauma of clipping the cuticle back and then applying acrylic nails can lead to nail changes. Try giving your nails a break from manicures for 4-6 months and see if that makes a difference.
If you have sensitive skin and get rashes easily from certain products then make sure you read this blog post: 3 Steps to Remedy an Annoying Skin Allergy Rash and Itching
2. Nail psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition. Most people with psoriasis get scaly rashes across their body, but what some people don’t know is you can also experience changes in your nails. Sometimes it is mild and topical steroids or Vitamin D analogs may be therapeutic.
Other times nail psoriasis can be painful and may require systemic treatment to treat. The good news is there are a lot of great systemic treatment options available.
Patients who may be experiencing nail psoriasis should bring this up with their dermatology medical provider to see which treatment is right for them.
Other holistic things to focus on when dealing with any component of psoriasis are making sure you are decreasing stress when possible, quitting smoking if you are a smoker, and considering decreasing inflammation levels in the body by cutting back on red meats, processed foods, and alcohol.
It is important to note that other inflammatory conditions such as severe hand eczema can also cause nail changes. If you have a rash and nail changes that does not necessarily mean you have psoriasis.
Read more about psoriasis here: 4 Things to Know If You Have a New Diagnosis of Psoriasis
3. Fungal infections
One of the more common causes of nail changes is a condition called onychomycosis which is a fungal infection of the nail. This is more common on toenails but can affect fingernails as well.
Sometimes this condition is a clinical diagnosis but other times it requires sending out a small clipping of the nail to pathology so they can check for a fungal infection.
There are topical treatment options for patients to use. Treatment of fingernails can sometimes take up to 6 months depending on the severity of the infection and toenails can sometimes take up to 12 months or longer to clear.
The longer you wait to treat the harder it is to obtain complete clearance. Unfortunately, even with the strongest of medications (oral antifungals), once the condition has progressed to a certain point it can be extremely difficult and sometimes impossible to clear.
If you want to start with something over the counter Vick’s VapoRub has been proven to help with the treatment of mild fungal infections of the nails.
Oral antifungals, while more effective, can have negative side effects including affecting liver enzymes. They can also interact with certain medications and therefore should only be used when patients have failed topical treatments or if the infection is severe enough to warrant systemic treatment.
A more in-depth article regarding nail fungus can be found here: How to Treat Nail Fungus
4. Internal disease or medications
Sometimes a comprehensive medical history as well as blood work is necessary to determine the underlying cause of nail changes.
True brittle nails are called onychorrhexis. Certain vitamin deficiencies such as deficiency in biotin can cause brittle nails.
Other diseases/disorders as well as medications can also cause nail changes. Oral retinoids like Accutane can be one of these medications.
Hypothyroidism, anorexia, or bulimia have also been linked to brittle nails. The goal is to treat the underlying condition to eventually see improvement in the nails.
Before you get started on Accutane for acne, learn about the other potential side effects: The Important Side Effects of Accutane
Final thoughts on experiencing brittle nails
In conclusion, several factors could be causing changes in your nails. If you figure out what is causing yours then the next step is to treat or discontinue the offending agent. You need to be patient as nails can take a long time to grow out. It can take 6 to sometimes 12 months or longer before you can expect your nails to be back to normal.
Once again, dermatology medical providers can be an excellent resource if you are unable to determine why you are experiencing nail changes.
*Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information on this website is for education and entertainment purposes only. Content is my opinion. It is not substituted for your own doctor’s medical care or advice. One should not make any health or medical-related decisions based in whole or in part on any content on this site. Content is not intended to replace the services of a licensed, trained health professional. Content may not apply to you as an individual. Although I will update my website with current information, this website is not a definitive guide to dermatology.
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