Brittle fingernails: Can natural medicine help?

Brittle fingernails are not uncommon. They occur relatively frequently and can not only be unsightly but also reduce one's well-being. The importance of healthy fingernails is often only noticed when it is too late. Here, we want to clarify the possible causes of brittle nails and present treatment options from naturopathy.

 

Our toenails and fingernails are hardened cells of the epidermis, enriched with keratin. They are therefore referred to as skin appendages. While they are only about 0.05 mm thick in human babies, they can be up to 0.75 mm thick in adults. Their growth rate ranges from 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm per week. Toenails tend to grow more slowly than fingernails.

Nails are built up in multiple layers, so each layer can show its own problems. The transparent nail plate is the part of the nail that we can see. They should appear slightly pink because the blood vessels underneath shine through. The nail is formed at the nail root or matrix. This is the pale half-moon at the lower edge of the nail, which is also called the lunula. 

Beneath the nail plate is roughly the nail bed, which is firmly connected to the periosteum of the underlying bone. The nail is bordered below and on the sides by a fold of skin called the nail fold. 

The nail plate consists of dead cells, which is why it does not cause any pain sensation. They are meant to fulfill the following functions in particular:

• Protection: Nails protect the sensitive fingertips and toes, which contain a variety of sensory cells.
• Grasping and Manipulating: Fingernails improve fine motor skills and support grasping and manipulating objects.
• Scratching: Whether it's against itching, for self-defense, or for another purpose.
• Support: Nails support the finger structure in its stability.
• Communication and aesthetics: Nail polish serves not only beauty but possibly also communicative purposes.
• Self-defense: Nails can be used like claws for self-defense.
  
  

Brittle fingernails and toenails can have numerous causes. Genetic factors can play a role, making diagnosis difficult. Incorrect or insufficient nail care can be another reason. Frequent hand washing can, for example, remove moisture from the nails and make them brittle. Contact with many chemical cleaning agents can also be a cause of brittle nails. 

Brittle nails caused by deficiencies in certain nutrients can also occur. For example, brittle fingernails can be a sign of a biotin deficiency.

Inferior nail polishes or acetone-containing nail polish removers are quickly bought and used, but they can just as quickly damage the nails. In that case, pay attention to high-quality nail polishes and removers, for example, those that are natural cosmetics.

In addition, incorrectly or poorly performed manicures and pedicures can cause lasting damage to the nail structure. 

Medications could also cause brittle nails, for example by preventing the absorption of important vitamins. In that case, brittle nails should be listed as side effects in the package insert of the respective medication.

With increasing age, a weaker nail bed can join the general physical changes. This is relatively common in women during menopause. 

If none of these causes apply, a disease, for example of the thyroid gland, can cause brittle nails. Diseases such as the following could cause brittle nails:

• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Psoriasis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Nail fungus
• Iron deficiency

We primarily want to consider treatment methods that your doctor might also recommend. Therefore, these treatment methods may have medical evidence. The following approaches could help with brittle nails:

• Dietary change: If a deficiency in vitamins, minerals, and proteins underlies brittle nails, a dietary change can help. Especially biotin, iron, and Zinc are recommended in nutrition.
• Moisturizing lotions: Nail oils or lotions can help provide moisture to the nail and surrounding area, which could make brittle nails disappear.
• Protection: Protect your nails from chemicals like cleaning agents and mechanical stress, for example during sports. 
• Nail care: Using less nail polish remover can be helpful, as well as not cutting nails too short. After washing hands, re-oil the nails to prevent moisture loss.
• Medications: Depending on whether an underlying condition exists, medications might help.
• Nail hardeners: Certain products like nail hardeners might help protect against future breaks.
  
  

The approaches mentioned above are often also recommended by medical professionals and are considered helpful. Below, we want to name the possibilities of naturopathy, which also include home remedies for brittle fingernails. Unfortunately, these lack medical evidence, yet, for example, are recommended by Naturopath these approaches.

• Biotin: Supplements with biotin or vitamin B7 or vitamin H might help. Biotin is involved in some metabolic processes of cell growth.
• Silicea: Silicic acid is a homeopathic remedy for brittle nails. Accordingly, it contains a homeopathic dilution of a homeopathic active ingredient. 
• Oil treatments: Almond oil or jojoba oil is often recommended in naturopathy against brittle nails.
• Garlic: This targets the sulfur content. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence for a helpful effect.
• Gelatin: Due to the collagen it contains, eating gelatin is sometimes recommended by naturopaths.
• Herbs: Whether in the form of baths or rubs, herbs are recommended in naturopathy.
  
  

Brittle fingernails can have many causes. Since sometimes serious diseases can manifest through brittle fingernails, you should not hesitate to see a doctor. They should rule out serious causes so that you can proceed with conventional remedies against brittle nails.

Fingernails are dead skin cells of the epidermis, which are enriched with keratin. Nails also contain numerous structures, such as the nail bed, the lunula, the nail fold, etc.

You should not hesitate to see a doctor because certain diseases can cause brittle fingernails. These diseases should be ruled out so that you can proceed with conventional remedies against brittle nails. The following approaches are recommended: 

• Dietary changes
• Better nail care
• Protection from chemicals
• no acetone-containing nail polish removers

There are numerous approaches that could help against brittle nails. We recommend a doctor's visit or a Visit to a naturopathso that you can be recommended the right approaches by professionals. Every person is different, and with these experts, you can try to find the cause of your brittle nails.