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What Medications Are Effective At Treating Thinning And Brittle Nails?
Question: My nails are very thin. I am taking biotin supplements. I was wearing acrylic nails and I am no longer doing that. I do not have any fungus or any trauma to the nails, they grow pretty well, but they are very thin. So I get the gel polish in order to protect them. They still break very often even with the gel polish and snag in my hair and clothes. Is there a prescription I can use to strengthen my nails
Brief Answer:
Possible cause explained and advises given
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Brittle nails can be caused by inner causes or outside factors. Inner causes might be vitamin deficiencies (biotin lack for example) or other diseases like autoimmune diseases or infection.
In your case, because you do have a clear outside damaging factor (acrylic nails) it is very likely this is the cause of the nail problems you have.
Not having deformities in the nails and no color changes also rule out autoimmune disease or infection.
There is no prescription specific for nail problems (biotin products are the ones mostly used) but addressing the causing agent helps to improve the nail health also.
Artificial nails (acrylic nails) cause damage to the nail and might weaken them. it is a good decision you did to stop using them.
On the other hand this is a damage of the nail outside of the nail plate (the root of the nail) and every damage to the nails beyond the nail root will last till that nail part is cut off (grows out).
Things to help are:
- prevent further damage by not using artificial nails and not using acetone on the nail as acetone can in itself weaken the nail
- if your nails are dry please make sure you use a moisturizing cream for hands and nails
- if your nails are soft than probably you are using more moisturizing cream than needed
- try to avoid keeping nails in contact with strong detergents and in water. Using waterproof gloves whenever you need to be in contact with detergents and water is advisable
- biotin helps with weak nails but it might need to be used for several months before you see the good result so if you have not used it for 6 months now you might still need to go on using it as some patients take up to 6 months to notice a difference.
Some patients see no difference with biotin use especially if the cause of the nail problem is not related to biotin lack in their body.
- if you have not had a CBC to check for anemia in the last year, it might be advisable to have this test to rule out iron deficiency as sometimes iron deficiency might effect nails also.
- if you have skin lesions or joint swelling and redness other than the nail problems than you will need to see a doctor to rule out a more general disease that affects nails also.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Zotaj Antoneta, General & Family Physician
Possible cause explained and advises given
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Brittle nails can be caused by inner causes or outside factors. Inner causes might be vitamin deficiencies (biotin lack for example) or other diseases like autoimmune diseases or infection.
In your case, because you do have a clear outside damaging factor (acrylic nails) it is very likely this is the cause of the nail problems you have.
Not having deformities in the nails and no color changes also rule out autoimmune disease or infection.
There is no prescription specific for nail problems (biotin products are the ones mostly used) but addressing the causing agent helps to improve the nail health also.
Artificial nails (acrylic nails) cause damage to the nail and might weaken them. it is a good decision you did to stop using them.
On the other hand this is a damage of the nail outside of the nail plate (the root of the nail) and every damage to the nails beyond the nail root will last till that nail part is cut off (grows out).
Things to help are:
- prevent further damage by not using artificial nails and not using acetone on the nail as acetone can in itself weaken the nail
- if your nails are dry please make sure you use a moisturizing cream for hands and nails
- if your nails are soft than probably you are using more moisturizing cream than needed
- try to avoid keeping nails in contact with strong detergents and in water. Using waterproof gloves whenever you need to be in contact with detergents and water is advisable
- biotin helps with weak nails but it might need to be used for several months before you see the good result so if you have not used it for 6 months now you might still need to go on using it as some patients take up to 6 months to notice a difference.
Some patients see no difference with biotin use especially if the cause of the nail problem is not related to biotin lack in their body.
- if you have not had a CBC to check for anemia in the last year, it might be advisable to have this test to rule out iron deficiency as sometimes iron deficiency might effect nails also.
- if you have skin lesions or joint swelling and redness other than the nail problems than you will need to see a doctor to rule out a more general disease that affects nails also.
Hope I have answered your query.
Take care
Regards,
Dr Zotaj Antoneta, General & Family Physician
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Answered by
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