Pathogenesis, Clinical Signs and Treatment Recommendations in Brittle Nails: A Review

Abstract

Nail plate brittleness (or fragility) is a common complaint affecting up to 20% of the population, especially women over 50 years of age, with fingernail fragility being more prevalent than toenail fragility. Nail brittleness is characterized by nails that split, flake and crumble, become soft and lose elasticity. The main clinical presentations are: onychoschizia, onychorrhexis, superficial granulation of keratin and worn-down nails. According to causative factors, we can distinguish 2 forms of nail fragility (NF): a primary “idiopathic or brittle nail syndrome” form and NF secondary to different causes such as inflammatory nail disorders, infections, systemic diseases and general conditions, traumas and alteration of the nail hydration. Optimal management requires treatment of the primary cause of brittle nails, when possible. In idiopathic NF oral supplementation, vitamins (especially biotin, also known as vitamin B7), trace elements and amino acids (especially cysteine) have been reported to be useful. In addition, several products, such as topical moisturizers and lacquers could be considered to restructure the affected nail plate and to reduce psychological impacts of this common problem.

Introduction

Nail plate (NP) brittleness (or fragility) is a common complaint affecting up to 20% of the population, especially women over 50 years of age, with fingernail fragility being more prevalent than a toenail fragility [1].

Nail brittleness is characterized by nails that split, flake and crumble, become soft and lose elasticity. The main clinical presentations of brittle nails (BN) that have been described are: onychoschizia, onychorrhexis, superficial granulation of keratin and worn-down nails. Different signs of nail brittleness (NB) can be present alone, together in the same patient and together in the same nail plate. BN are generally not painful, but affected patients often complain of significant cosmetic and functional problems such as impairment in performing daily or occupational activities [2]. Pain may occur from deep splitting and catching everything. In a cross-sectional study, the perception of BN was even associated with a depressed mood [3].

This review explores and updates the topic of BN, providing comprehensive details about clinical presentation, pathophysiology and treatment options.

Methods

Data Source and Search Strategy

We collected all studies related to BN indexed in PubMed from its inception to 31 August 2019. Search parameters included the following words or sentences: “brittle nails”, “nail fragility”, “etiology of brittle nails”, “onychoschizia”, “onychorrhexis”, “worn down nails”, “keratin granulation”, “therapy of brittle nails” and “treatment of brittle nails”. Only articles in English were included. All papers included in this study involved human or animal clinical studies, including case reports, case series and reviews. A subsequent review of the respective reference sections of the articles aimed to identify any undetected reports.

This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

The objective of this search was to analyze and document a review of the literature to propose some guidelines for the treatment of this disease.

Brittle Nails

BN may be a consequence of factors that alter nail plate production and/or factors that damage the NP.

Under physiologic conditions the NP is a fully keratinized structure made up of about 25 layers of tightly packed keratinocytes, with a thickness of 0.5–1 mm and a smooth surface. The majority of the NP derives from the proximal nail matrix (NM) and around 1/3 by the distal matrix and bed. The NM is localized under the proximal nail fold. Epithelial growth and keratinization of NM keratinocytes follow an oblique axis; during this process of maturation and differentiation cells move upward and distally. Normal nail growth is highly dependent on vascularization and inflammation [4, 5]. Impairment of this process results in NP abnormalities.

The clinical aspects of NB due to NM damage can vary depending on the site and the extent of the injury. NP thinning due to proximal NM damage always involves the whole nail length and is often associated with abnormalities in the superficial NP. Damage to the distal matrix, on the other hand, may produce alterations in the shape of the NP free edge, but not of the superficial NP.

BN may be caused by several factors: first of all, a physiological increased nail fragility is typical of aging. Other local or systemic causes include inflammatory nail diseases, onychomycosis, systemic conditions, medication ingestion, and trauma (occupational and professional). When a secondary cause has not been identified, the disease is defined as idiopathic.

Clinically, three main clinical aspects of NF have been described:

• 1. Onychorrhexis: particularly frequent among middle-age women and characterized by longitudinal splitting and shallow parallel furrows running on the superficial layer of the nail (Fig. 1). The severity of the clinical presentation depends on the degree of the causative factor on the NM. Longitudinal ridges may vary from a few superficial ridges up to deep furrows, affecting from a small part of the nail surface to at least 70% of the total nail surface. Likewise, longitudinal splitting may vary from a few superficial splits up to multiple deep fissures. A single longitudinal split of the entire NP is sometimes observed (split nail) (Fig. 2). The pain induced by the deep splits may be the cause for medical advice being sought.

  Fig. 1

  

  Onychorrhexis: several longitudinal parallel furrows and thin fissures running on the superficial layer of the nail

  Fig. 2

  

  Onychorrhexis presenting as single longitudinal split of nail plate

• 2. Lamellar onychoschizia: caused by the impairment of intercellular adhesive factors of the NP. As a result, the NP exfoliates into fine horizontal layers (Fig. 3). Nail hardness is mainly secondary to high sulphur amino acids, particularly cystine, and tight keratin cross-links. The keratin protein in nails is hardest at a slightly acid pH. Adhesion between cells is facilitated by membrane-coating granules with linkage by lipids, such as acyl ceramides. Triangular pieces of NP may easily be torn off from the free margin (crenellated splitting). In other cases, breaking of the lateral edges could cause transverse splitting. This type of nail fragility is almost exclusive to fingernails and it is typical of patients who wash their hands too frequently (e.g., homemakers, but also doctors and nurses). Proximal lamellar splitting may occasionally be observed in lichen planus or during etretinate or acitretin therapy.

  Fig. 3

  

  Lamellar onychoschizia: the free margin of the nail splits in horizontal layers

• 3. Superficial granulation of keratin is a brittleness confined to the dorsal NP, not to be confused with superficial white onychomycosis. Superficial granulation of keratin is often reported in patients wearing nail polish for months, sometimes applying it over the previous coating. In this way NP keratins undergo to a gradual ‘granulation’ or exfoliation with the formation of small white-yellow patches and striations (Fig. 4). Keratin degranulation is a type of pseudoleukonychia, where the white discoloration of the nail is due to white particles (the damaged onychocytes) on the NP surface.

  Fig. 4

  

  Superficial granulation of keratin: the distal nail plate shows opaque white and fragile patches and striations

According to causative factors, we can distinguish 2 forms of NF: a primary “idiopathic” form and NF secondary to different causes.

Idiopathic Nail Brittleness (Brittle Nail Syndrome)

This is the most common cause of NB, almost exclusively seen in the fingernails. In women, the intercellular keratinocyte bridges are constitutionally weaker than in males and this can be considered a cause of the higher frequency of this complaint among females. Moreover, normal nails contain 5% lipids and there is a decrease in cholesterol sulphate of the NP with age, especially in post-menopausal women, suggesting an important role of lipids in the development of NB [6]. Some authors have identified reduced water content in the nail plate (< 16%) as a possible cause of BN [5]. In contrast, other studies found no significant difference in water content of brittle compared with normal nails [7, 8].

Secondary Nail Brittleness

Inflammatory Nail Disorders

Several dermatoses such as psoriasis, lichen planus, lichen striatus, alopecia areata, Darier’s disease and eczema may involve the nail apparatus [9, 10]. Usually these disorders are diagnosed as separate entities although features of nail fragility are common in these patients.

In fact, up to 50% of patients affected by psoriasis present nail abnormalities that are frequently associated with NB. When the proximal part of the NM is involved, the NP presents irregular and deep pits (Fig. 5), while a more extensive psoriatic involvement of the NM induces a friable and brittle NP [11].

Fig. 5

Nail fragility due to nail matrix psoriasis: irregular pitting and brittle distal margin

Lichen planus in its various forms can also affect the nails. About 10% of patients with lichen planus have specific nail involvement [12]. Depending on the degree of inflammation, the nail changes consist of thinning, longitudinal ridging and splitting of the NP (Fig. 6). Rarely, erosive lichen planus may involve the nails [13]. In lichen striatus, nail involvement is similar to that of lichen planus, but typically only half of the NP is affected [14].

Fig. 6

Nail fragility due to nail lichen planus: nail plate thinning, longitudinal fissuring and splitting of the nail plate

Approximately 2/3 of patients with alopecia areata have nail changes, such as pits secondary to proximal NM involvement, onychorrhexis, thinning and trachyonychia (Fig. 7). Changes may be seen in one, several or all the nails.

Fig. 7

Nail fragility due to alopecia areata of the nails: with regular thin onychorrhexis leading to trachyonychia

Periungual eczema, seen in contact dermatitis or atopic dermatitis, is frequently associated with NP fragility (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8

Nail fragility due to hand eczema: nail plate thinning with diffuse scaling associated with periungual inflammatory signs

Infections

Superficial white onychomycosis is an example of a cause of NF secondary to NP damage. In this type of onychomycosis, the fungal hyphae colonize the most superficial layers of the NP, and it becomes white, opaque, and friable in multiple small spots secondary to keratin digestion by fungi [15] (Fig. 9).

Fig. 9

Nail fragility due to white superficial onychomycosis: multiple white, opaque friable spots on the nail surface

In distal subungual onychomycosis, fungi invade the nail bed from the distal free margin of the NP, inducing NF in the distal portion (Fig. 10).

Fig. 10

Nail fragility due to distal subungual onychomycosis: nail surface brittleness is evident in the distal nail

Several infectious diseases such as syphilis and pulmonary tuberculosis can give nonspecific alterations to the nails such as nail thinning and fissuring of the free margin and an overall fragility [16, 17].

Systemic Diseases and General Conditions

BN have also been linked with systemic diseases, nutritional deficiencies and medication ingestion, but they are often only a non-specific sign that accompanies these conditions [6, 7].

The impairment of peripheral circulation secondary to arteriopathy, neurological disorders, chronic anemia and arteriosclerosis may lead to a reduced NM vascularization with production of a thin NP [18].

Patients with endocrine disorders may present with BN, slow nail growth and longitudinal ridging and fissuring. Nail changes, characterized by brittleness and softness, are present in about 5% of cases of hyperthyroidism and are often reversible following successful therapy. The nails are affected in 90% of patients with hypothyroidism and typically appear thin, brittle, slow-growing and with longitudinal or transverse striae [19].

Onycholysis, increased fragility, longitudinal ridging and crumbling may occur in amyloidosis.

Systemic medications such as cancer chemotherapeutic agents, retinoids or antiretrovirals may be responsible for lamellar onychoschizia.

A severe deficiency of vitamins, trace elements and aminoacids from daily food intake may result in NF and thinning [20].

Traumas and Alteration of Nail Hydration

Traumas significantly contribute to damage of the NP and alteration of the NP surface. NF can be caused by mechanical micro-traumas secondary to routine professional activities, as in homemakers, housemaids, shoemakers, ironworkers, and carpenters. Occupational exposure to solvents and solutions (chemical/medical personnel, photographers or painters, for example) can dissolve intercellular lipids and damage intercellular cohesion. Onychotillomania and onychophagia are another two causes of traumatic BN (Fig. 11).

Fig. 11

Nail fragility due to mechanical trauma in onychotillomania: the distal margin of the nail has an irregular fragmented appearance with scaling

The methods used to prepare nails for cosmesis and all methods of removing the applied preparations damage the healthy nail plates. However, the application of nail polish itself does not cause an alteration of the pH of the nail lamina, being approximately 5.8, which is very close to the physiological value [21]. Water is stored above all in the ventral portion of the NP and the alteration of water content of the NP could cause BN (Fig. 12). Dehydration is more rapid if nails are not kept short [22]. Moreover, hydration and desiccation may play a significant role in household employees, hairdressers, and nurses where repeated wetting and drying of the hands leads to fractures between NP onychocytes.

Fig. 12

Nail fragility due to chemical trauma by prolonged use of colored nail lacquer: yellow discoloration and onychorrhexis more marked in the distal nail

Finally, occlusive gloves applied over wet hands while working may be a cause of BN, leading to splintered, fractured nails and onychoschisis [23].

Treatment: Facts and Controversies

Secondary NB should be treated by acting, when possible, on the primary cause. In these cases, treatment includes the cure of the dermatological/systemic condition, avoidance of traumas and allergens/irritants, limiting contact with water and detergents, and regular use of emollients [6]. However, most patients consulting for NB have an idiopathic NF. Oral supplementation with vitamins (especially biotin, also known as vitamin B7), trace elements, and amino acids (especially cysteine) have been reported useful in improving idiopathic fragility [24,25,26]. However, these studies were small, not well controlled, and one study was retrospective, survey based.

Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin contained in several foods such as cereals, walnuts, peanuts, milk, and egg yolks. This vitamin is also synthetized by intestinal bacteria. Biotin:

• Takes part in keratin biosynthesis and intercellular cement holding keratinocytes together, acting as the prosthetic group of several essential enzymes;

• Improves the ultrastructure of the NP (onychocytes show more regular arrangements and distribution) and its resistance to tension.

Several studies have demonstrated, both with clinical and electron microscopy examinations [27], an improvement of firmness and hardness of the fingernails of patients receiving biotin supplementation [28,29,30]. A dosage of 5–10 mg a day for 3–6 months is usually recommended.

High biotin intake (more than 10 mg per day) can cause falsely high or falsely low laboratory test results (FDA safety communication) [31]. Troponins, thyroid, prolactin and pregnancy tests are some of the most frequently altered [32,33,34]. The presence of biotin can interfere with tests that use biotin–streptavidin technology. The interaction between biotin and streptavidin is used as the basis for many biotin-based immunoassays, and these immunoassays are vulnerable to interference when they are used to analyze a sample that contains biotin. The FDA warning on this topic emphasizes that physicians should obtain an updated list of medications, including vitamins and supplements, and doses, at each visit [31]. This is particularly important as patients are not aware of the risks associated with biotin [35].

A combination of an arginine silicate complex and magnesium biotinate (a novel well-absorbed biotin salt) was demonstrated to increase nail growth [36]. However, the studies were small and two of them lacked a control group [37].

Iron supplementation (plus vitamin C) may be very effective when ferritin levels are below 10 ng/ml. However, studies that correlate iron deficit with BN are rarely reported [25, 38].

Primary and secondary zinc deficiency is a cause of NF. Prolonged treatment with zinc 20–30 mg/day seems to be effective in improving BN [38].

In a recent randomized trial, a biomineral formulation containing amino acids (l-cystine, l-arginine, glutamic acid), vitamins (C, E, B6 and biotin) and minerals (zinc, iron and copper) proved to be well tolerated and effective in strengthening and smoothing fingernails in subjects with onychoschizia after 3 months of treatment [39]. No data about dosage of the single elements is provided in the article [39].

In an open-label single-center trial, supplementation with “bioactive collagen peptides” was shown to be very effective in patients with BN after 24 weeks of treatment. In this study it was reported that nail growth rate increased by 12% and the frequency of broken nails decreased by 42% [40].

Nail moisturizers are useful in patients with BN. They may contain occlusive material (petrolatum or lanolin) and humectants (glycerin, propylene glycol and proteins). Alpha-hydroxy acids and urea may also be added to increase the water-binding capacity of the NP.

Several lacquers are commercially available to restructure nails affected by fragility. These products are known as nail hardeners, nail strengtheners, and fortifying nail builders, and may contain silicon. A new water-soluble nail strengthener specially formulated with a combination of active ingredients (silanediol salicylate and Pistacia lentiscus gum) that increase the quantity and quality of silicon and keratin in the nails. It contains cationic hyaluronic acid that adheres to the surface and deeply moisturizes the nails and cuticles. This combination of ingredients (patent pending) helps the natural process of nail growth. The safety and efficacy are supported by a 6-month clinical study [41].

A recent study observed that hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCH) nail lacquer when applied on the nails is useful to protect them against physical injuries, improving the nail structure [42]. The authors correlate the efficacy of HPCH to the high affinity with keratin that is secondary to water solubility without pH correction.

A second lacquer composed of 16% polyureaurethane could be used in BN to create a flexible waterproof barrier to environmental hazards [25]. The once daily application of both lacquers is recommended.

In a randomized controlled pilot study, the efficacy of topical cyclosporine emulsion (CsAE) versus emulsion (vehicle) alone have been compared. CsAE and also emulsion alone appeared to improve signs of brittle nails. Limitations of this study were the small sample size and the method for detection of efficacy [43].

These nail lacquers could increase the cosmetic outcomes of BN, but further data are necessary to prove their true efficacy [44].

In recalcitrant fragility, nail wrapping limited to the distal portion of the nail may afford protection and camouflage. The procedure of nail wrapping consists of the application of layers of fibrous substances made of tissue paper, silk, linen, plastic film, or fiberglass on the distal edge of the NP to strengthen or repair its free edge. This same method is performed in artificial nails and sculptured nails and can considerably improve BN cosmetically. However, artificial nails could themselves be responsible for fragility because of the materials and procedures used to apply them [45, 46].

Good advice is to wear cotton gloves under vinyl gloves for wet work and heavy cotton gloves for dry work.

Conclusions

BN are a common complaint of patients presenting to a dermatologist. Before making a diagnosis of idiopathic BN, secondary causes that might be responsible for NB should be investigated and excluded. Optimal management requires the treatment of the primary cause of BN when present, protective measures and bio-mineral supplementation. In addition, several products could be considered to reduce the physical and psychological impacts of this common problem, although double-blind, randomized controlled studies of such products are still lacking.