Brittle Nails
• Onychorrhexis, Onychoschisis, Onychoschizia
• Calcium , Cysteine , Gelatin, Horsetail ( Equisetum arvense ) , Iron , Silicon , Vitamin A , Zinc
Brittle fingernails are a common condition, occurring in about 20 % of people; more women than men develop brittle nails. 1 Brittle nails usually break or peel off in horizontal layers, starting at the nail's free end. The term brittle nails can also refer to a condition in which lengthwise splits appear in the nail. In either case, the nail's structure is faulty.
Brittleness in the nail may be caused by trauma, such as repeated wetting and drying, repeated exposure to detergents and water, and excessive exposure to harsh solvents, such as those found in nail polish remover. 2,3 If your nails are regularly exposed to such stresses, it may be worth trying protective gloves when washing dishes and doing other chores. In the case of nail polish remover, gentler, less toxic brands are available. Check with retailers of natural cosmetic products.
Nail brittleness may also be caused by an underlying medical condition, such as Raynaud's disease , low thyroid function ( hypothyroidism ), or lung conditions. 4,5 Other possible causes include skin diseases ( psoriasis , lichen planus, alopecia areata) as well as endocrine disorders, tuberculosis, Sjogren's syndrome , and malnutrition. 6Selenium poisoning can also cause brittle nails. 7
Because of all these possibilities, it is important to rule out a serious underlying problem before trying nutritional or herbal treatments for brittle nails. If a medical cause for this condition is not found, it may be worth considering some of the approaches described below.
Principal Proposed Natural Treatments
Although no herb or supplement has been proven effective for brittle nails, there is some evidence that the B vitamin biotin might help.
Animal studies suggest that biotin supplementation can be helpful for deformed hooves in horses and pigs. 8-12 Since animal hooves are made of keratin, the same substance from which human nails are made, these findings have encouraged researchers to study the effects of biotin on brittle nails in humans.
Preliminary evidence from a small controlled study suggests that biotin may increase the thickness of brittle nails, reduce their tendency to split, and improve their microscopic structure. 13 To arrive at their results, the researchers used a scanning electron microscope to examine the effects of biotin in 8 women with brittle nails who were given 2.5 mg of biotin daily over 6- to 9-month periods. (An additional 24 individuals were also studied; 10 served as controls, and the other 14 were examined in a way that makes the interpretation of their results questionable.) Because all nail clippings were examined without the researchers being aware of whose clippings they were looking at, these results have some validity. However, the study was too small to allow definitive conclusions.
Two small open studies also reported benefits with biotin supplementation. 14,15 However, because there was no control group in either study, the results can't be taken as reliable.
For more information, including dosage and safety issues, see the full Biotin article.
Other Proposed Natural Treatments
The mineral silicon has been widely marketed for decades as a treatment for brittle nails, brittle hair, and aging skin. However, the first potentially meaningful clinical trial was not reported until 2004. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 50 women, use of 10 mg daily of silicon (as orthosilicic acid) for 20 weeks did appear to improve the condition of their nails. 17 However, this study, performed by the manufacturer of a silicon product, leaves much to be desired in design and reporting.
The herb horsetail (Equisetum arvense) , naturally high in silicon, is also sometimes mentioned as a treatment for brittle nails A number of other nutritional therapies have been tried as well, including calcium , cysteine, gelatin-containing preparations, iron , vitamin A , and zinc . However, as of yet, there is no real evidence that any of these treatments are effective. 16
References
1. Hochman LG, Scher RK, Meyerson MS. Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation. Cutis .1993;51:303-305.
2. Gawkrodger DJ. Dermatology: An Illustrated Colour Text. Edinburgh, NY: Churchill Livingstone;1992:64.
3. Fitzpatrick B, et al, eds. Dermatology in General Medicine. Vol I. 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill;1993:699.
4. Gawkrodger DJ. Dermatology: An Illustrated Colour Text. Edinburgh, NY: Churchill Livingstone;1992:64.
5. Fitzpatrick B, et al, eds. Dermatology in General Medicine. Vol I. 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill;1993:702.
6. Hochman LG, Scher RK, Meyerson MS. Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation. Cutis . 1993;51:303-305.
7. Yang GQ, Wang SZ, Zhou RH, et al. Endemic selenium intoxication of humans in China. Am J Clin Nutr . 1983;37:872-881.
8. Webb NG, Penny RH, Johnston AM . Effect of a dietary supplement of biotin on pig hoof horn strength and hardness. Vet Rec . 1984;114:185-189.
9. Geyer H, Leu U. Effect of biotin treatment on growth and quality of horn in hooves on biotin in plasma of horses. Journes de la Recherche Chevaline 1988;14e:192-202.
10. Kempson SA. Scanning electron microscope observations of hoof horn from horses with brittle feet. Vet Rec . 1987;120:568-570.
11. Comben N, Clark RJ, Sutherland DJ. Clinical observations on the response of equine hoof defects to dietary supplementation with biotin. Vet Rec . 1984;115:642-645.
12. Zenker W, Josseck H, Geyer H. Histological and physical assessment of poor hoof horn quality in Lipizzaner horses and a therapeutic trial with biotin and a placebo. Equine Vet J . 1995;27:183-191.
13. Colombo VE, Gerber F, Bronhofer M, et al. Treatment of brittle fingernails and onychoschizia with biotin: scanning electron microscopy. J Am Acad Dermatol . 1990;23:1127-1132.
14. Floersheim GL. Treatment of brittle finger nails with biotin [in German; English abstract]. Z Hautkr . 1989;64:41-48.
15. Hochman LG, Scher RK, Meyerson MS. Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation. Cutis . 1993;51:303-305.
16. Colombo VE, Gerber F, Bronhofer M, et al. Treatment of brittle fingernails and onychoschizia with biotin: scanning electron microscopy. J Am Acad Dermatol . 1990;23:1127-1132.
17. Barel A, Calomme M, Timchenko A, et al. Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on skin, nails and hair in women with photodamaged skin. Arch Dermatol Res . 2005 Oct 5. [Epub ahead of print]
Last reviewed April 2009 by EBSCO CAM Review Board
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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