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Brittle Nails - Causes and Treatment
contents
Nails: structure and function
Causes of brittle nails
Diseases as a cause
iron deficiency
What helps against brittle fingernails?
Home remedy for brittle fingernails
Nails: structure and function
The term "nail" refers to the domed, translucent plate located on top of the tip of the finger or toe. This is formed from the keratinized or keratin-filled cells of the epidermis and therefore counts - such as hair and feathers - to the so-called "skin appendages". Nails can become thicker from 0.05mm (baby) to 0.75mm (adult), with strength varying widely. The same applies to the growth rate, which is usually about 0.5 to 1.2 mm per week, with toenails on the one hand generally slower to grow than fingernails. On the other hand, growth can also be slowed down, as is usually the case in older people, but also as a result of injuries, circulatory disorders or other illnesses.
Fingernails and toenails are very complex and consist of different parts, where each change can occur. The visible main part is the transparent nail plate, which in healthy nails, however, typically appears bright pink, as the blood vessels of the underlying nail bed shine through. The nails form on the nail root (matrix) of horny plates, which lies at the bottom of the so-called "nail pouch" and represents the area of the nail connected to the skin. Visible, the matrix is usually at the lower edge of the nail in the form of the small bright "half moon", which is therefore often referred to as "nail moon" or "Lunula" (Latin: "little moon"). Under the nail plate is the nail bed, which is firmly connected to the periosteum of the underlying finger or foot bone, from below and on the sides it is also surrounded by a skin fold ("Nagelpfalz"), which on the one hand for support, but also provides protection against tears. The visible part of the skin, which connects directly to the Pfalz and rests on top of the nail, finally forms the cuticle (Perionychium).
Since the nail plate consists of dead skin cells and therefore contains neither blood vessels nor nerves, no sensation of pain originates from this itself. However, this does not apply to the tip of the finger or toe, because here are a variety of sensory cells for touch stimuli (Merkel cells), which act as pressure receptors and thereby enable the keys. In addition, the nails are important "tools" for scratching and plucking, protect the top of the extremely delicate tips of the fingers and toes from injury, and help them grasp small objects, thereby promoting fine motor skills.
Causes of brittle nails
Fragile, splintering nails can be affected by numerous causes, some of which are easily recognizable but others are difficult to diagnose. In many cases, in addition to genetic factors, lack of or incorrect care plays a central role. A typical example here is the frequent hand washing, whereby the nails are deprived of moisture and these quickly become brittle, dry and cracked. Even those who often have contact with cleaning and cleaning agents and wear no protective or rubber gloves, risked that the nails are attacked and structural damage. In addition to chemicals (for example, in the detergent) may be the cause, as well as acetone-containing nail polish remover or inferior nail polish. In addition, splintered nails can be caused by a wrong, improper manicure or pedicure, as well as by a strong mechanical stress, for example during sports or housework.
Brand construction. Picture Henrie / fotolia Brittle nails can continue to be an unpleasant side effect of a drug, because some drugs are massively in their metabolism in the vitamin balance of the body and can thus quickly lead to a deficiency. These "vitamin robbers" include, for example, antibiotics, antiepileptic drugs and diabetes medications, which is why it can make sense to provide appropriate compensation especially with prolonged ingestion. However, it is important to talk to the attending physician beforehand to avoid further side effects or interactions.
Furthermore, a number of physical changes come as a cause into consideration. Here, age plays an important role, because as with the body in general, the nails over the years, "traces of aging", for example, by discoloring and generally thinner and softer, which in turn increases the risk of damage. In this context, women often notice significant physical changes, especially during menopause. Examples here are a thin, dry and flabby skin or delayed wound healing processes, in addition to the nails are often affected, which are fragile due to the decreasing estrogen levels. Since the conversion of the hormone balance also plays a key role during pregnancy, expectant mothers usually have problems with the nails. In this case, the estrogen level is indeed increased, but in most cases, only the hair become fuller and firmer, the nails, however, are usually much brittle during the nine months and break or tear faster.
Diseases as a cause
Brittle nails in most cases are more likely to have "harmless" causes, but it may still be possible to have a disease that is responsible for the damage. Accordingly, these should not generally be dismissed as a cosmetic "blemish", but be reviewed in the event of prolonged or permanent nail problems by a doctor. For example, thyroid hypofunction (hypothyroidism), in which too few thyroid hormones are produced, is possible, as a result of which the metabolism only works more slowly and a series of typical "deficiency symptoms", such as, for example, brittle hair and nails, slow heart rate, a hard bowel movement or constipation or a reduced memory ability can occur. Even with hyperthyroidism, the nails can become thinner and finer and tear or break faster. In this case, there are too many thyroid hormones in the blood, which makes the metabolism run at full speed, which manifests itself in a variety of symptoms such as hair loss, diarrhea, heart stumbling or increased sweating.
Also in question is the so-called "psoriasis", which is a relatively common, benign skin disease that is chronic in most cases. Characteristic is an itchy rash in the form of limited, reddish skin, which are covered with whitish-shining dandruff. Psoriasis can occur in very different areas, in about every second affected but also the fingernails and toenails are affected ("nail psoriasis"). In this case, nail growth is aggravated by a disruption of the keratinization process, which causes the nail to thicken and form scars, which often can easily be detached (onycholysis). In addition, dents, cracks and lines on the nails as well as yellowish or white or salmon-colored discolorations, as well as these are often crumbly and brittle and can therefore fail or be destroyed in the course of the disease.
A diabetes mellitus can also be the cause of brittle toenails, because the permanently elevated blood sugar levels can also lead to nerve damage and circulatory disorders in the feet. As a result, such a "diabetic foot" (also called "diabetic foot syndrome") on the one hand to swollen feet and dry, cracked skin, which tends faster than usual to injuries. On the other hand, it comes as a result of nerve damage to numbness, emotional disturbances and a reduced sensation of pain, whereby small injuries are often noticed late and thereby quickly develop badly healing, open wounds and ulcers.
In addition, a nail fungus (onychomycosis) may have brittle nails result, which is caused, inter alia, by yeast or mold fungi and therefore, for example, by poor, air-impermeable footwear. In addition, increase injuries or certain diseases such as diabetes or circulatory disorders, but also a Immunodeficiency (by AIDS, chemotherapy, etc.) or a longer antibiotic treatment, the risk, since the skin's resistance is reduced and therefore increases the susceptibility to nail fungus. At the beginning, this usually appears in the form of white, yellowish or brownish patches, then often changes of the nail shape and / or structure occur, for example, the nail plate becomes thick or brittle. In more severe cases, this can result in the nail being completely destroyed, so early treatment is crucial to prevent the spread of the fungus and its chronic course.
iron deficiency
Broken nails can also indicate an iron deficiency, which can be caused in a pathological form, if in the long term more iron is lost than absorbed. This is especially in healthy people often due to malnutrition or increased blood loss, for example, as a result of an accident, surgery, childbirth or during menstruation, as well as bladder or kidney stones to bleeding and thus lead to a deficiency. If the body loses too much iron, the intake from the food is usually increased to compensate. However, if this is not enough, the reserves are opened, which eventually leads to a defect, unless the memory is replenished accordingly. Consequently, in the case of an iron deficiency, the intake must be correspondingly higher, which is possible above all by means of meat, offals, cereals, bread, vegetables and legumes, since these foods contain a particularly large amount of iron. However, as this can be absorbed better by the body from animal foods, vegetarians and vegans or, in general, persons who eat unhealthy and unbalanced diets for a longer period of time are also potential risk groups.
In addition, athletes, children and adolescents have an increased need for iron due to their growth and pregnant and breastfeeding women and are therefore more at risk. The same applies to the elderly, since these are often gastrointestinal problems, also provide here in many cases hormonal changes for a quick satiety and a reduced Essantrieb, whereby the food intake is generally reduced. In addition, inadequate iron intake may be caused, for example, by antibiotics (tetracyclines), inflammatory bowel disease or partial removal of the stomach or small intestine, chronic kidney disease or heart problems are also possible.
If there is iron deficiency, it can affect the whole body, as iron is a vital trace element that can not be produced by the body. This is important, above all, as part of the red blood pigment hemoglobin, in that it binds the oxygen in the blood and in the muscles and thus ensures its transport to the body cells. As a result, iron in the body fulfills a variety of functions and enables, for example, performance and drive strength, healthy hair and nails and a strong immune system. If the body is underserved, this can manifest itself accordingly in very different symptoms, typical are, for example, chronic fatigue and fatigue, difficulty concentrating, facial blanching and brittle hair and nails, as well as it may to palpitations, shortness of breath, a weakened immune system or depression-like symptoms Depression, mood swings, insomnia or social isolation come.
In addition, there may be another form of deficiency with brittle nails, which, however, is also due in most cases to a malnutrition. For example, inadequate supply of vitamin B and vitamin D, which play a key role in the development of healthy nails, may also be the cause of calcium deficiency. Accordingly, these nutrients should always be taken in sufficient quantity by a balanced diet, especially people who are currently performing a diet or are affected by eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, make sure to prevent deficiencies, if necessary, by supplements.
What helps against brittle fingernails?
In order to be able to treat brittle nails in the best possible way, it is first necessary to first check in advance where the causes of structural damage lie. Accordingly, a visit to the doctor is recommended in each case in order to clarify whether the damage hides, for example, a fungal nail or a metabolic disorder such as thyroid disease or iron deficiency. The further treatment steps then take place depending on the cause. For example, if the fragmenting nails are based on hypothyroidism, the therapy is based on the intake of medications that replace the missing thyroid hormones. Even in the case of hyperfunction, drugs are administered in many cases. For example, if Graves' disease is the cause, then primarily so-called antithyroid drugs (thiamazole and carbimazole) are used, which inhibit the formation of thyroid hormones and thus act against the symptoms. However, if the disease is caused by a thyroid autonomy, antithyroid drugs are not suitable, here instead often early surgery or radioiodine therapy is performed.
If an iron deficiency has been identified, the cause of it must first be determined and treated, for example by eliminating possible bleeding or by changing the diet. This point is particularly important because the body can not produce iron itself, but must be added through food. Here, a variety of home remedies for iron deficiency offer supportive, central is a healthy and balanced diet, whereby iron in animal products is better utilized by the body than from vegetable food. Accordingly, iron deficiency is particularly well suited to foods such as pork liver, veal liver sausage or ham, but also seafood, fish and eggs or egg yolks. In addition to that, there are of course numerous vegetarian sources, such as green leafy vegetables (spinach, chard etc.) cabbage or seeds such as sesame or pumpkin seeds, the latter are particularly recommended, since already more than a handful of the daily need for iron for the most part can be covered. In addition, lentils, millet, chickpeas, beetroot and wholegrain cereals are also well-suited for a deficiency, as are fennel, salsify and tofu.
However, since the amount of iron in the diet is limited, normally only very slight deficiency symptoms can be compensated in this way. In more severe cases, iron-containing tablets or dragees are usually used first, which often have to be taken over several months to replenish the memory. Alternatively, the iron can be added to the body in exceptional cases, also intravenously, for example in the case of a resorption disorder or in an existing chronic inflammatory bowel disease such as Chron's disease. In addition to these conventional treatment methods, iron deficiency can also be countered by nature's means in a variety of ways. These include, for example, herbal blood juice or a nettle tea, but also the proven use of Schüssler salts or bitter substances.
Regardless of the cause, brittle nails should generally be treated with a balanced and nutrient-rich diet, which can be supplemented if necessary by supplementing with dietary supplements. Here, for example, biotin or vitamin H supplements are considered, which increases the formation of putty substance and the quality of keratin is improved, resulting in the consequence of more resistance, elasticity and increased nail growth. Also calcium or silica preparations can be taken as a cure to strengthen the nail from the inside and less vulnerable. In the opposite case, however, an overdose of certain vitamins can make the fingernails become porous, so that in advance should always be discussed with a doctor, which preparation should be taken in detail for how long.
It is also important to abstain from acetone- or alcohol-based nail polish removers, because they remove nails from the grease and moisture, making them quickly dry and brittle. Therefore, instead of solvent-free and oily products should rather resorted to and also regularly take a paint break, as nail polish can lead to damage in constant use. Often helpful is also a special care for brittle nails, which forms a thin protective layer on the nail and thus provides more hardness and strength. However, as these nail hardeners often contain the potentially carcinogenic preservative formaldehyde, it is a good idea to look carefully and choose a product that is free of this additive.
Home remedy for brittle fingernails
In addition, care should be taken to regularly, but gentle nail care, for which instead of a nail scissors or a Knipser better a file (such as sandpaper file) is used to avoid small cracks on the nail. In addition, experts advise against the tearing off, biting off or pushing back the nail cuticle and when cutting the nails do not round off the corners too much so that no ingrown toenail develops. Instead, the nails should be filed as straight as possible and from the edge to the middle, to clean the nail edges is also recommended a soft nail brush. In addition, it is advisable to wear protective gloves when washing, wiping etc. and often to cream the nails in order to increase the firmness. Special care products such as nail oil are also available, as well as a weekly bath in lukewarm almonds, or olive oil can be very helpful to nourish the nails with moisture and moisture.
From the field of natural medicine also offer Schüssler salts. Since brittle nails, especially with brittle hair, fatigue and facial paleness are often signs of iron deficiency, especially the salt No. 3 (Ferrum Phosphoricum) can help support, which improves the absorption and utilization of iron. The salts No. 2 (Calcium Phosphoricum) and No. 6 (Potassium Sulfuricum) are also suitable for brittle nails, as they generally stimulate the formation of new cells and have an invigorating and strengthening effect. For dosing, it is often recommended to take two tablets of two times a day, slowly making the salts melt in the mouth about 15 minutes before or after eating. However, there are no universally accepted standards, therefore, should always be consulted before taking a veterinary practitioner or naturopathic practitioner to advise on the specific choice of salt and the dosage in each case.