Picking at the nails, biting them, using them as tools, or repeatedly pushing back or cutting the cuticles can cause damage.
Gel manicures, acrylic nails, aggressive filing, and frequent removal of artificial nails can also weaken the nail plate in some people.
If your nails are already fragile, consider taking a break from treatments that require extensive filing or chemical removal.
7. A Skin Condition Could Be Affecting Your Nails
Certain skin conditions can involve the nails.
Psoriasis, for example, can cause pitting, ridging, thickening, discoloration, or separation of the nail from the nail bed.
Eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions can also affect the skin around the nails and sometimes the nails themselves.
If you have persistent nail changes along with rashes or skin inflammation, a dermatologist may be able to identify the cause.
8. A Fungal Nail Infection Is Another Possibility
Fungal infections don’t always make nails brittle in the same way, but they can cause nails to become:
- Thickened
- Discolored
- Crumbly
- Distorted
- Separated from the nail bed
They are particularly common in toenails.
Because several nail conditions can look similar, it’s better to have a persistent abnormal nail examined rather than automatically treating it with an antifungal product.
9. Stress or Illness Can Affect Nail Growth
A significant illness, major physical stress, or nutritional problem can temporarily disrupt normal nail growth.
Because fingernails grow slowly, the effect may not become visible until weeks or months after the original event.
This is one reason a new line, groove, or change in a nail doesn’t necessarily mean something happened on the exact day you first noticed it.
