Brittle Nails

Brittle nails (or onychorrhexis) are a medical issue which occurs as a result of brittleness to the fingernails and toenails. As many as one in five individuals are affected by this condition. This issue may affect either or both of these types of nails. There are many different possible causes for brittle nails, some of them more serious than others. In some cases, the brittle nails may be a sign or symptom of a more serious medical condition which needs to be addressed. Whatever the case, brittle nails can be incredibly inconvenient so it is important to figure out what caused them and begin treating the issue if you are experiencing this problem.

What Causes Brittle Nails?

There are many potential causes for brittle nails. Some of the less severe causes of brittle nails include an excessive use of soap or nail polish remover to the nails. The brittle nails may also be a sign of various medical conditions which could have caused the problem to occur. Some of these more serious causes of brittle nails include anemia, hypothyroidism, and eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa. There are other possible causes of brittle nails as well but the majority of cases can be attributed to one of the already mentioned causes.

Brittle Nails Treatment

If you have brittle nails then it is important to determine what caused them in the first place. If it is the result of excessive soap use then this may be an issue which you often overlook. If you treat the brittle nails and the underlying problem that caused them is still existent then you will just end up experiencing the same dilemma in the future. If you figure out the cause of the brittle nails then you can treat the underlying issue accordingly and prevent a recurrence of the brittle nails. If it is a more serious medical problem that is to blame then treating that condition will be even more important and the early diagnosis from the brittle nails symptom could be vital in treatment results.

Regardless of the cause of the brittle nails you will still want to treat them even if they are a symptom of something else. There are numerous ways that you may go about treating brittle nails. One of the more common choices of brittle nails treatment is the use of vitamin B (Biotin) and fish oil. This and a generally healthy diet will show quality results in remedying the brittle nails. You can also find special treatment products for the brittle nails and you may be able to get products that are effective through your dermatologist. If the brittle nails are very hard then frequent moisturizing of them may also help.

Brittle nails can definitely be annoying to have. If you are experiencing them then you will want to seek treatment for the issue when it is noticed. There are many home remedies and general methods to improve the health of your nails. Keep in mind that it is also important to treat the underlying problem that caused you to have brittle nails and follow prevention methods as well if necessary. Ultimately, brittle nails are a common issue that people face but finding out what caused them and treating them accordingly is very important and thankfully not too difficult to do.