What should you know about really brittle nails?

Brittle nails may split at the tips, peel into layers, crack easily, or feel thin. Frequent hand washing, long soaking, detergents, solvents, nail polish remover, filing, biting, and trauma can dry or weaken the nail plate. Changes in colour, thickening, crumbling, separation from the nail bed, or debris under the nail can fit Nail Fungus, although several other skin or medical conditions can look similar. A single damaged nail may reflect local injury; changes in several nails deserve a broader review.

Keep nails trimmed short and file rough edges gently in one direction. Wear gloves for dishwashing, cleaning, and prolonged wet work, while allowing sweat to escape. Apply a plain moisturiser to nails and surrounding skin after washing, and avoid cutting the cuticles, picking layers, or using nails as tools. Take breaks from artificial nails and harsh removers if they worsen splitting. Do not start antifungal treatment based on appearance alone; testing or examination may be needed.

Book a medical review if brittleness persists despite protection, affects many nails, or is accompanied by pain, swelling, bleeding, colour change, thickening, or nail separation. Seek earlier advice for a dark streak that changes, a new mark after injury that does not grow out, or redness and pus around the nail. A clinician can examine the nail and consider skin, nutritional, medication-related, or other causes.

Ask whether the nail pattern suggests fungus or another condition, whether a sample is useful, and which products or habits may be contributing. Mention recent illness, medicines, manicures, wet work, and changes in diet.