Dry skin, brittle nails, and hair loss: what to know

Dry skin may follow climate, bathing habits, irritants, eczema, or a change in the skin barrier. Nails can split after repeated wet work, chemical exposure, trauma, or a nail condition; Nail Fungus is one possibility when a nail becomes thickened, discoloured, or crumbly. Hair shedding can follow scalp inflammation, illness, major stress, medication changes, or nutritional and hormonal factors. These changes may occur together or independently.

Note when each symptom began, whether hair loss is diffuse or in patches, and whether nails are affected on one or several fingers or toes. Also record scalp itch, fatigue, weight change, cold sensitivity, new medicines, restrictive eating, and recent illness for the appointment.

Use a fragrance-free moisturiser for dry skin, keep nails short, and wear gloves for wet or chemical work. Avoid biting, picking, harsh nail products, tight hairstyles, and frequent heat styling. Do not start supplements or antifungal treatment based only on appearance; the right treatment depends on the cause and may require an examination or testing. Arrange a routine medical appointment for a new combination of symptoms.

Seek timely medical advice for sudden or patchy hair loss, scalp pain or scaling, a rapidly changing nail, or skin that is cracked and infected-looking. Prompt assessment is also appropriate with marked fatigue, faintness, unexplained weight change, or other symptoms affecting daily life. A clinician can examine the skin, scalp, and nails and decide whether further checks are needed.

Ask whether the pattern suggests separate local problems or one broader cause, whether any medicine or diet change matters, and whether the nail appearance needs testing for Nail Fungus or another condition.