Why are my big toenails so brittle?

Brittle nails occur for a variety of reasons. They may be a normal sign of aging or the result of polishing your nails too frequently. When the weather is cold, brittle nails may result from dryness. Weak nails also can be a sign of a health issue.
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Why is my big toenail brittle?

Brittle nails are often just a sign of ageing or long-term exposure to water or chemicals such as detergents and nail polish. Wearing gloves will help protect your nails while doing work where your hands are exposed to water. Regularly applying moisturising cream to your fingers and nails will also help protect them.
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How do I stop my toenails from being brittle?

If the toenails look dry, cracked and brittle from long-term polish use, you can apply a vitamin E oil or lotion, rubbing it gently into the nail and cuticle to moisturize them. Allow it to absorb and dry fully before wearing shoes.
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What causes dry brittle toenails?

Nails being too moist or too dry typically causes them to become brittle. In less common cases, anemia or thyroid problems may be the cause. Also, as a person ages, they are more likely to develop brittle nails.
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Is Vaseline good for brittle toenails?

Most people grew up with it when they were a baby. Vaseline was used for diaper rash and to sooth chapped lips. However, the cure-all salve can reduce dry and brittle nails plus relieve dry cuticles.
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Causes of brittle toenails and its management - Dr. Rasya Dixit



What do iron deficiency nails look like?

Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.
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What does brittle nails mean about your health?

Cause: Not Enough Nutrients

Rarely, brittle nails can mean you're not getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs. For example, low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) can cause scaly skin, dry hair, and brittle nails along with muscle cramps.
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What vitamin should I take for brittle nails?

Biotin helps your body convert certain nutrients into energy and plays a vital role in your hair, skin, and nails. A biotin deficiency can cause brittle nails and hair loss. The other ingredients in this supplement include: Vitamin C: Aids in collagen production and helps protect nails from damage.
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What health problems cause brittle nails?

Low levels of zinc and iron as well as thyroid problems can cause brittle nails. However, brittle nails are often a normal result of aging.
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What do dehydrated toenails look like?

White chalky patches on the nail can simply be a result of excessive dehydration of the keratin molecules on the nail surface, causing keratin granulations.
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How can I get biotin naturally?

Some fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and whole grains contain biotin. Eggs and some organ meats are good sources of biotin; many nuts, seeds, seafood, and lean meats contain biotin.
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How can I fix brittle nails naturally?

How to Strengthen Brittle Nails
  1. Moisturize. Try a dedicated nail oil or a hand lotion with alpha hydroxy acid or lanolin. ...
  2. Limit manicures. ...
  3. Go natural. ...
  4. Avoid alcohol-based sanitizers. ...
  5. Get a paraffin wax bath. ...
  6. Wear gloves.
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Can vitamin D deficiency cause brittle nails?

Vitamin D regulates calcium levels in the body which is an essential contributor to having healthy nails. If you find yourself with brittle and weak nails, it could mean a lack of Vitamin D.
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Can kidney problems cause brittle nails?

Nitrogen waste products build up in people with CKD, which can lead to damaged fingernails and toenails. Show your doctor if you have any abnormal change in your nails such as: Yellow or opaque coloring. Brittle nails.
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Is brittle nails hypo or hyperthyroidism?

We reviewed the literature on nail changes in thyroid patients and found that onycholysis and slow-growing, thin nails are associated with hypothyroidism and that onycholysis, koilonychia, and brittle nails changes are associated with hyperthyroidism.
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What are COVID nails?

COVID nails are increasingly being recognized as the nails recover after infection and the growth recovers, leaving a clear line. Can occur without skin rashes and appears harmless."
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What does zinc deficiency look like in nails?

One of the most common nutrient deficiencies to show up in nails is a zinc deficiency. More prevalent in school-age children, this deficiency can present as scattered white spots. Usually, people can take a zinc supplement for a short amount of time to clear up these white marks.
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What do nails look like with calcium deficiency?

When your body lacks calcium, your nails become thinner, weaker, and brittle. You may notice that they break easily and just don't look as healthy as they used to. Although nails and bones are made up of different substances, they're similar enough that poor nail health may be an early marker of bone density problems.
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How do you moisturize brittle nails?

Moisturizing Your Fingernails

Dermatologists recommend rubbing petroleum jelly, vitamin E, or cuticle creams into your cuticles at night. Applying a moisturizing cream or a hand balm to the nails on a daily basis will help keep them moist.
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Is coconut oil good for dry brittle toenails?

Add Strength to Your Nails

"Coconut oil is great for treating brittle and cracked nails as well as damaged cuticles because of its moisturizing properties," says Markowitz.
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What oil is good for dry toenails?

Olive oil applied daily can have the same results as several over-the-counter therapies to strengthen and moisturize nails. Olive oil helps repair damage, softening the nails and cuticles, which contributes to nail strength.
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