$Unique_ID{BRK01609}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{The Causes of Brittle Nails}
$Subject{nails brittle cause Skin Subcutaneous Tissue finger onychoschizia
electron scanning microscope polishes fingernail fingernails nail polish}
$Volume{L-20}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


The Causes of Brittle Nails


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QUESTION:  I am constantly plagued by finger nails that split and break.  It
hasn't always been this way, as I used to have beautiful nails and hands when
I was a younger girl.  It seems they really became worse after I married and
moved from a warm climate in California to this state, where winters are harsh
(Montana).  Do you think that this may be the cause of my problem, and if so
would you advise me to go back to California?

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ANSWER:  It is always nice to be in California, but I don't think that
returning there will solve your problems.  There have been many explanations
for the cause of brittle nails (onychoschizia), but the most recent was
developed from research using the electron scanning microscope to study the
problem.  For some time physicians were likely to blame the frequent use of
nail polishes in women, since women are affected about twice as often as men.
However, dermatologists at the University of Arkansas and the Alabama State
University at Jacksonville are pointing their fingers at a new culprit.  After
experimenting with nail clippings taken from normal individuals, they found
that the greatest amount of nail splitting occurred in samples that had been
alternately wetted and dried over a 14 day period.  Mere soaking did not
produce the same amount of damage.  Maybe dishes and clothing washing chores
occurred at about the same time of your marriage and move?

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.