Fix that may help:
Don’t self-diagnose—consider asking for thyroid screening if symptoms match.
If treated, nails often improve gradually as your system stabilizes.
If you’re skeptical, that’s fair.
But the next cause is visible, common, and often misread.
Cause #3: Fungal Nail Changes (Not Always Obvious at First)
Fungal infections don’t always start with dramatic yellow thick nails.
Sometimes they begin with subtle brittleness, crumbling edges, or discoloration.
Moist environments, tight shoes, and gym showers can raise risk.
Fix that may help:
Keep nails trimmed and dry.
Avoid sharing nail tools.
If you suspect fungus, medical treatments are more effective than guessing with home remedies.
And here’s the plot twist: if you treat fungus as “just dryness,” it can persist and worsen.
But fungus isn’t the only skin-related culprit.
Cause #2: Psoriasis or Eczema-Related Nail Changes
Psoriasis can cause pitting, ridges, thickening, and splitting.
Eczema and dermatitis can also contribute to fragile nails and irritated cuticles.
If you have flaky scalp, dry patches, or frequent rashes, your nails may be part of the same story.
Fix that may help:
Treat the underlying skin condition with professional guidance.
Use gentle nail care and moisturize cuticles consistently.
Avoid aggressive buffing, which can worsen thinning.
Now you’ve seen the big health-related patterns.
But there’s still one cause that sneaks into almost everyone’s routine without permission.
Cause #1: Physical Trauma and “Using Nails as Tools” (The Most Common Saboteur)
This one sounds simple, but it’s huge.
Opening cans, scraping stickers, picking at packaging, tapping nails on screens—micro-traumas add up.
Even typing with long nails can create constant stress on the nail plate.
Over time, nails develop tiny cracks that turn into splits and peels.
Fix that may help immediately:
Trim nails slightly shorter for 2–3 weeks.
File in one direction with a gentle file.
Use the pads of your fingers instead of nail tips whenever you can.
