Brittle Nails (Split Nails)
Why do I have brittle nails?
Up to 1 in 5 people have brittle nails or split nails - nails that are thin or break easily. Brittle nails can be painful, especially when the split nail is caught on clothing. It is more common in women, and usually worse in winter. It is also common for nails to thin, get weak, and split as we get older.
Also, sadly, when we are under a lot of stress, our bodies send essential nutrients and vitamins to more vital parts of our bodies. Our nails and hair are the least important to our survival, so when we have big stressors (death in the family, divorce, big medical problems), our nails can thin and our hair can fall out.
How do I fix brittle nails?
Do not get your nails done, use fake nails, or nail polish (and nail polish remover) while trying to fix brittle nails.
Moisturize the entire nail EVERY DAY, at least morning and night, but several times daily is best.
Thick, greasy ointments like Vaseline or Aquaphor work best, especially at bedtime, but most people find them too greasy or heavy for daytime use.
Creams are the next best option. My strong preference is either CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or Vanicream Moisturizing Cream. These do not leave a greasy or sticky feel.
Replace essential vitamins.
Have your doctor check your iron and zinc levels.
The chewable Flintstone vitamins are the easiest for iron (and contain zinc)
Many hair-skin-and-nail supplements are great, but very few have any iron
Use gloves when washing dishes or doing other wet work
Water actually dries out your nails.
Wear latex gloves (or latex-free if you are allergic to latex)
Right after washing dishes, apply Vaseline or CeraVe cream to nails.
Use a quality nail strengthener for a few months.
My favorite brand is Rejuvacote:
Comes in original and sensitive skin/nails.
What else can I do for brittle nails?
Reduce stress: Just like other chronic health conditions, eczema gets worse with stress. This site has lots of simple, helpful tips for reducing stress. When a big deadline at school or work, a difficult conversation, or an illness or death happens, you can expect your eczema to get worse. If you know a stressful event is coming up, start treating your problem areas before they flare.
Eat healthier: Most people with eczema notice that when they eat poorly (fast food, junk food), their eczema flares. Often we eat worse when we are stressed. A good way to improve eczema and reduce flares is to switch as many meals as you can to whole-food, plant-based options.
What if my brittle nails aren’t getting better?
Usually, the steps above can help most people strengthen their brittle nails and stop nail splitting. Sometimes people have sensitive skin around their nails or other causes for brittle nails. If over-the-counter options are not working, there are a couple of prescription lacquers that have been shown to help in clinical studies. Look for a board-certified dermatologist in your area. If you are in or near Utah, see one of my excellent colleagues at the University of Utah or me virtually with Honeydew.
DISCLAIMER
The statements expressed and content of this website are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Readers should seek their own professional counsel for any medical condition or before starting or altering any treatment, exercise, or dietary plan. Please see our full disclaimer here.