Weak or brittle nails are usually not a sign of one specific vitamin deficiency. They can result from everyday nail damage, aging, or sometimes an underlying health problem.
Common reasons your nails become weak
-
Frequent water exposure or cleaning chemicals can cause nails to split, peel, and break. Wearing gloves for wet work and moisturizing afterward can help. American Academy of Dermatology
-
Normal aging commonly makes nails more brittle and slower-growing. MedlinePlus
-
Iron deficiency can sometimes produce thin, brittle or spoon-shaped nails. MedlinePlus
-
Thyroid disorders can cause dry, brittle, ridged, splitting, or easily crumbling nails. American Academy of Dermatology+1
-
Nutritional deficiencies or inadequate protein can affect nail growth and strength. MedlinePlus
-
Fungal infection is more likely when nails become thick, yellow/discolored, distorted, or brittle. AAD Search
-
Psoriasis and other skin conditions can cause pitting, splitting, crumbling, or separation of the nail. MedlinePlus
-
Manicures, artificial nails, acetone, and aggressive filing can weaken the natural nail. American Academy of Dermatology
What you can do
Keep nails reasonably short, avoid biting or picking them, moisturize your hands and nails regularly, and wear gloves when your hands are repeatedly exposed to water or detergents. American Academy of Dermatology
Don’t automatically take high-dose biotin, iron, or other supplements. If brittle nails are persistent or accompanied by fatigue, hair loss, weight changes, cold/heat intolerance, or other symptoms, a clinician can determine whether testing for problems such as iron deficiency or thyroid disease is appropriate.
A new dark streak in one nail, especially if it is widening or changing, should also be examined by a dermatologist because rarely it can represent nail melanoma. MedlinePlus
