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    Q&A: Poor diet to blame for brittle nails?

    Consumer Reports News: August 26, 2009 12:06 PM

    I have brittle fingernails and toenails that are prone to splitting. Is my diet deficient? —Philip Schaefer Louisville, KY

    Not likely. Although nails can reflect dietary deficiencies, the deficits must be extreme, a rarity in this country. Nails can also be affected by chronic diseases such as anemia and hypothyroidism. But the most common cause of nail brittleness is exposure to water. Use moisturizing hand soap, limit your shower or bath time, wear cotton-lined rubber gloves to wash dishes, and regularly use hand cream. If brittleness persists, consider seeing a dermatologist.

    Get information on fungal nail infections, which affect about 1 in 7 U.S. adults, and see which treatments work best (subscribers only).

    Image courtesy of goodcatmum


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