OVERVIEW

What is Brittle Nail Syndrome?

Brittle nail syndrome is a nail disorder characterized by fragile nails that easily break or split, typically with vertical cracking from the top to the base.

It has multiple causes, primarily linked to lifestyle habits such as prolonged exposure to water or chemicals, though underlying medical conditions may also contribute.

Treatment focuses on identifying the root cause, symptomatic management, improving habits, and protecting nails to restore their health.

How Common is Brittle Nail Syndrome?

Approximately 20% of people experience brittle nails, with women affected more frequently than men. This disparity arises because common triggers—prolonged contact with water, detergents, nail polish, or polish removers—are more prevalent in women.

Is Brittle Nail Syndrome the Same as Trachyonychia?

No. Trachyonychia and brittle nail syndrome are distinct conditions. Trachyonychia involves nail plate abnormalities like roughness, excessive ridges, and pitting, with fragility usually limited to the distal edge. In contrast, brittle nails typically split vertically along their entire length.

SYMPTOMS

What are the common manifestations of brittle nail syndrome?

Brittle nail syndrome refers to nails losing elasticity, becoming fragile, and prone to breakage, typically characterized by splitting at the outer edges.

Where does brittle nail syndrome commonly occur?

Brittle nail syndrome can affect both fingernails and toenails.

How does brittle nail syndrome develop?

The most common cause of brittle nail syndrome is poor lifestyle habits, such as frequent exposure to water, detergents, and other chemicals that irritate the nails, altering the composition and arrangement of nail cells, leading to brittleness.

For toenails, factors like nail polish, nail polish remover, wearing tight shoes, and excessive sweating trapped in footwear can also contribute to nail brittleness.

What adverse effects can brittle nail syndrome cause?

Brittle nail syndrome makes nails fragile and prone to breaking. It not only affects the appearance of the nails but may also impair fine motor skills, such as buttoning clothes, causing difficulties in daily life and work.

CAUSES

What are the common causes of brittle nails?

The causes of brittle nails may include the following:

• Lifestyle habits: Frequent exposure to water, detergents, nail polish, nail polish remover, etc., can irritate the nails, causing changes in the composition and arrangement of nail cells, leading to brittle nails.

• Medical conditions: Diseases such as onychomycosis, psoriasis, and sarcoidosis can cause brittle nails.

• Physical trauma: Activities like playing musical instruments, ball sports, or typing on a keyboard.

• Aging: As people age, their nails may become more fragile, making brittle nails more common in the elderly.

Are brittle nails contagious?

Onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nails, is contagious. Patients with onychomycosis are more prone to brittle nails, and this type of brittle nails can be contagious.

Are brittle nails hereditary?

Brittle nails are generally caused by various external factors and are not hereditary.

Who is more likely to develop brittle nails?

• People who frequently work with water, such as kitchen staff, swimming pool workers, or seafood handlers.

• Those regularly exposed to chemicals, such as manicurists, painters, or electroplating workers.

• Individuals whose nails are often subjected to impact, such as programmers, athletes, or pianists.

• The elderly.

DIAGNOSIS

How is brittle nail syndrome diagnosed?

When diagnosing brittle nail syndrome, doctors primarily rely on the patient's clinical symptoms, occupation, local nail exposure history, and relevant medical history. Specialized tests are generally not required.

What should people suspecting brittle nail syndrome pay attention to during a medical visit?

Before the visit, remove nail polish, acrylic nails, and other external substances to facilitate the doctor's examination of the nails. If you use nail care products, such as cosmetics or tools, it’s best to bring them along.

Which diseases is brittle nail syndrome easily confused with?

Brittle nail syndrome is often confused with onycholysis. Onycholysis is characterized by lamellar splitting at the free edge of the nail, caused by damage to the intercellular adhesion factors in the nail plate. Brittle nail syndrome typically involves vertical splitting from top to bottom, making the nails fragile and prone to breaking.

TREATMENT

Which department should I visit for brittle nails?

Dermatology.

Can brittle nails heal on their own?

Brittle nails usually have underlying causes. Without addressing these causes, the condition will not resolve on its own.

How is brittle nails treated?

• First, trim any lifted or split nails to avoid injuring the nail bed, then smooth the edges.

• For brittle nails caused by conditions like tinea manuum, tinea pedis, psoriasis, or sarcoidosis, treating the primary disease is essential to alleviate the symptoms.

• For brittle nails caused by exposure to chemicals, prolonged moisture, or trauma, lifestyle changes and better nail protection are necessary.

How long does it take to see improvement after treatment?

Since nails grow slowly—fingernails take about 6 months to regenerate, toenails about 12 months, and big toenails up to 18 months—visible improvement is gradual. Patience and consistency are key.

Do brittle nails require a hospital visit?

First, stop all nail-related activities like manicures or prolonged exposure to water (or detergents). If no improvement is seen after 6 months, consult a doctor to check for underlying conditions.

However, if brittle nails occur without external causes, seek medical evaluation immediately.

Can brittle nails be cured completely?

Most cases improve with proper nail care and treatment of underlying conditions.

If caused by lifestyle habits, immediate change may be difficult, leading to slower recovery and frequent recurrence.

DIET & LIFESTYLE

What should people with brittle nails pay attention to in their diet?

In terms of diet, it is important to maintain variety and nutritional balance to ensure adequate intake of all essential nutrients. Nails are primarily composed of protein, iron, zinc, and other elements. During nail repair, it is advisable to consume more foods rich in these nutrients.

• Iron-rich foods mainly include: meat, poultry, and fish;

• Zinc-rich foods mainly include: meat, especially chicken, as well as nuts and lentils.

What should people with brittle nails pay attention to in daily life?

Patients with brittle nails should pay attention to the following in their daily lives:

• Trim nails frequently and smooth the edges to prevent roughness, as jagged edges are prone to vertical splitting;

• Apply moisturizers to nails regularly—petroleum jelly, lanolin, glycerin, and urea are good options;

• Minimize exposure to water or cleaning products. The best protection is wearing gloves, ideally two layers—a cotton inner layer to protect the nails and a rubber outer layer for waterproofing;

• Reduce manicures, avoid attaching decorations to nails, and limit the use of nail polish remover, as chemicals like acetone can damage nails;

• Avoid nail injuries, such as using nails to pry things, picking or biting nails, and wearing overly tight shoes.

PREVENTION

How to prevent brittle nails?

Brittle nails can be prevented to some extent, see "Lifestyle Precautions" for details.