I’ve always acknowledged that I have weak nails, they can grow but not too long because when they get to a certain length, they crack, and become soft and bendy. That has never bothered me much because I don’t like growing my nails long anyway.
It was when I started putting acrylic nails that I realised that that length is important and not just that, but the nails need to be strong as well.
According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology brittle nails, also known as onychoschizia, or splitting of fingernails, is a common dermatological issue. “The term onychoschizia includes splitting, brittle, soft or thin nails. Onychoschizia is more common in women.”
The Cleveland Clinic suggest that the contributing factors to your experiencing brittle nails include:
- Handwashing: As much as washing your hands regularly prevents sickness, however, it damages your nails, which lose moisture more quickly than your skin. Nails that are often washed and sanitised are said to dry out and crack.
- Ageing: As people get older, they tend to be more affected by broken nails, according to dermatologist Rosemary Keskinen. It is stated that as we age, our nails grow more slowly because they are exposed to dry air, water, and sanitisers more frequently and they take longer to grow out.
- Costemitc use: “You’re more likely to experience split, cracked and broken nails if you grow your nails longer and regularly use nail cosmetics than if you keep your nails short.”
Adding to the above causes, the Health publication states that other causes are:
- Nutritional deficiencies: The publication mentions that deficits in biotin, zinc, and iron, especially iron deficiency, can lead to brittle nails.
- Medications: Certain medications like retinoids, antiretrovirals, and chemotherapy are said to increase nail breakage.
- Trauma: It is also stated that repeated injuries or microtrauma can weaken nails over time.
- Medical conditions: Thyroid disorders, iron-deficiency anaemia, psoriasis, eczema, Raynaud’s disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and fungal infections can make nails susceptible to breaking, claims Health.
Also see: Reasons to let your natural nails grow
