For nail biters, the more we bite and pick our fingernails the more we can potentially damage not only the nail and nail bed but also our teeth right down to the root. Fingernails are already under great stress when we use them to open soda cans, close them in doors or otherwise expose them to potential damage.
Fingernails can become brittle from a lack of iron in your diet and from nail biting and picking. Nail brittleness is also caused by both dryness and wetness. Dry brittle fingernails are often a result of frequent hand washing and drying of hands with soap or alcohol-based sanitizer.
These can cause the nails to become brittle and lead to dry skin especially in winter when the air is less humid and cold. Soft brittle fingernails often occur when your fingernails get wet and remain damp either because of your profession or other wet activities and can be exacerbated though use of harsh chemicals and detergents.
Nail Brittleness
As a long time nail biter (40+ years before I quit) I didn’t notice until I quit nail biting and picking how smooth fingernails can be. Nail biters tend to have very rough, jagged fingernails. I can attest to that. Since I stopped the habit, I’m amazed how smooth my nails are and often run the pad of my fingers along the nails on the other hand. Yeah, I do this. It’s a pretty cool feeling after decades of stubby, short, uneven nails that were very rough on top and around the fingertips.
While nail brittleness may not necessarily be caused by nail biting and picking, it certainly doesn’t help. The stress we put on nails every time we tear into them with our mouth and pick them with our hands doesn’t make fingernails stronger that’s for sure. That being said, here are the main reasons you tend to have brittle fingernails and what you can do to prevent it.
Iron Deficiency
Symptoms of iron deficiency include not only brittle nails but potentially more serious side effects like chronic fatigue, pale skin, cold hands and feet, headaches and more. Of course, many of these symptoms are also experienced with other health concerns so it’s hard to tell with 100% certainly on your own what the problem might be.
In that regard, if you suspect you’re low in iron visit your doctor before diagnosing yourself to ensure you don’t have something more serious to address and before you potentially waste your money and efforts on iron supplements that you may not actually need. Supplements can be expensive and might not help if you have another issue(s) that needs to be rectified.
Chemicals
Exposure to harsh chemicals such as bleach, detergents, abrasives or even nail polish remover can weaken nails and make them brittle. If you use fake nails with glue and remove them with chemicals, you can further damage your actual nails as you remove them.
Cleaners and janitors are constantly exposed to chemicals on a daily basis and if they get them on their hands and fingers, it can weaken the nails. Many of us use similar cleaning agents at home for cleaning our bathrooms and for washing clothes.
When using chemicals, try to avoid direct contact with skin by wearing gloves or at a minimum, simply not touching the chemicals with your hands directly.
Wet Fingernails
As with chemicals, dampness can also cause brittle fingernails. If you work in a profession where your hands are constantly wet or damp like plumbing or swimming pool maintenance, your hands and fingernails are alternating between being wet and dry. And possibly going between warm and cold if you’re working with heated or chilly water too. The constant wetting and drying of hands can weaken fingernails.
If you are a frequent swimmer the same thing applies. Just like your fingertips shrivel up each time you come out of the water, the constant moisture and then subsequent drying of your hands can weaken the nails, too. And you are further exposing your fingernails to chemicals like chlorine or bromine from pool water.
Dry Fingernails
Fingernails and skin dry out with repeated use of soap along with the constant washing and drying that goes along with it. And with COVID-19 introducing the concept of regular use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, our hands and fingernails are exposed to more drying agents than ever before.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers became en vogue for many of us during the SARS outbreak back 2003. Suddenly, automatic sanitizer machines and bottles were found at the front of stores and in public places like bathrooms. Research on alcohol-based hand sanitizers back in 2012 highlighted the risk that regular hand sanitizer usage may dry out nail polish, leading it to wear down and chip, leaving your nails exposed which can then lead to cracked cuticles among other side effects.
As a side note, it is interesting that this research from 2012 tries to steer people toward non-alcohol based sanitizers. Yet in 2020 with the COVID-19 outbreak, hand sanitizers with at least 80% alcohol content are now being recommended. Times change.
Age
As we get older, an interesting thing happens: Our fingernails get thinner and more brittle whereas our toenails get thicker and harder to cut and trim. Our fingernails tend to get used more frequently for picking things up, opening soda cans and grabbing items with our hands and thus can break more frequently. Not to mention closing our fingers in doors, banging them against hard objects and other self-inflicted damage that can occur.
As we get older our body produces less oils to keep our skin soft and eventually wrinkles set in. Moisturizing hands especially during dry periods (winter) can help to keep skin and fingernails replenished. Nail-specific hand cream may help in this regard.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism refers to an underactive thyroid that doesn’t produce enough hormones which can lead to a number of side effects such as brittle nails along with more serious concerns like severe fatigue, constipation and a general feeling of being down. Research from Harvard University discusses the threat of brittle nails and other side effects from hyperthyroidism that relate to our nails, skin, hair, weight and overall health.
The condition affects about 13% of women between the ages of 35 and 65 but at age 65, the rate of incidence goes up even more to about 20% of the female population.
If you feel you might be at risk, see your doctor as soon as possible for a diagnosis.
Nail Biting and Picking
As mentioned above, nail biting and picking damages the nails at least temporarily not to mention other more serious side effects that can occur to your teeth, mouth and stomach.
As a long time nail biter and picker, I only got my fingernails (mostly on my right hand) down to a certain length before I would stop biting and picking them. I’d let them grow back a bit and would then start again. Some hardcore nail biters get all ten of their fingers and thumbs down to little nubs that can be very painful to the point where their fingers bleed. The more you pick and bite at your nails, the more damage you can potentially do long term to the cuticles and even to the ability of your fingernails to grow back properly.
Summary
While nail brittleness may be a symptom of iron deficiency in your diet, numerous other factors can cause a weakening of nails. Biting and picking nails can further damage them of course and make them feel rougher and less smooth than when you let them grow without touching them.
These days in the era of COVID, we’re already washing and sanitizing our hands more frequently than before so in that regard, it’s best to avoid getting your hands damp where possible. Conversely don’t let your fingernails and hands get dry either. Moisturizing especially in winter and other periods with dryness in the air can help your hand and nail health.
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