According to the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, brittle nail syndrome is a heterogeneous abnormality, characterized by increased fragility of the nail plate.
Brittle nails affect about 20% of the population and women are affected twice as frequently as men. The vast majority of patients experience brittle nails as a significant cosmetic problem and a substantial number indicate that these nail abnormalities are painful, impair daily activities, and may have a negative impact on occupational abilities.
Brittle nails can happen for many reasons. They can be the result of normal aging, diet or even the result of using harsh nail beauty products too often. When the weather is cold, brittle nails may result from the dry air. Weak nails can also be a sign of a bigger health issue such as hypothyroidism or anemia.
Before you assume the worst or head to the doctor, learn how to strengthen brittle nails and the reasons why you might be experiencing them.
Do you frequently wash your hands or do the dishes? Nails that fluctuate between wet and dry environments can become brittle. In fact, the most common reason for brittle nails is that they simply dried out.
If you want to strengthen your nails, there are several easy and inexpensive options: