FreeMD® Brittle Nails: Definition

Brittle Nails

Definition

Definition

Common names:

Brittle Nails
Nails are Brittle

A person with brittle nails has nails that are prone to splitting, cracking or breaking. The most common causes to brittle nails include fungal nail infections and exposure to chemicals.

View more Toe and toenail problems topics

Related Topics:

Fingernail injury
Fungal nail infection
Psoriasis of the nails
More...

freeMD is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for evaluation and treatment by a physician. Please review our terms of use.

Last Updated: Apr 11, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

Site Map

References:

Dahdah MJ, Scher RK. Nail diseases related to nail cosmetics. Dermatol Clin. 2006 Apr;24(2):233-9, vii.
Geyer AS, Onumah N, Uyttendaele H, Scher RK. Modulation of linear nail growth to treat diseases of the nail. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004 Feb;50(2):229-34.
van de Kerkhof PC, Pasch MC, Scher RK, Kerscher M, Gieler U, Haneke E, Fleckman P. Brittle nail syndrome: a pathogenesis-based approach with a proposed grading system. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Oct;53(4):644-51.