Broken nails have a way of ruining your day fast. We've all been there. You finally grow your nails out and finish them off with a perfect manicure, only to ruin the look when one nail breaks. And then maybe another. Now, the only thing left to do is file them all down (so at least they match) and wait for them to get long again. Talk about frustrating.


The thing is, that broken nail might be more that just an unfortunate turn of events — it may be a symptom of a bigger problem. I talked to a few experts to find out the real reason your nails keep breaking, and what you can do to make it stop.

It may be a sign

Broken nails happen to all of us every now and then, but if it's happening to you frequently, you may need to ask yourself why. According to Dr. Christa M. Tomc of Westlake Dermatology, the skin, hair, and nails can tell us a lot about what's going on with our bodies. They can also provide hints that our daily lifestyle habits and diets may not be up to par. If your nails tend to break as soon as they grow past your fingertips, it may be time to schedule a checkup.


Vitamin deficiencies

If your nails are weak and brittle, it may be a sign that your body is lacking important vitamins and minerals, explains Dr. Christa M. Tomc of Westlake Dermatology. Tomc says that in this case, a daily vitamin may be the answer to your nail issues. "One study showed a 25 percent increase in nail thickness with daily supplementation of biotin. She adds that it's "important to note that nutritional supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so always talk to your dermatologist when considering adding a vitamin to your diet."

Biotin, also referred to as Vitamin B7 or Vitamin H, can be found in foods like eggs, nuts, legumes, whole grains, bananas, and mushrooms. A healthy balance of these foods in your diet may help you strengthen your nails and prevent breakage. If you're not a big fan of those foods — or just can't work them into your diet — consider taking a supplement (after you've gotten the OK from your doctor).

Since there is no dependable lab test to prove you have a vitamin deficiency, it's usually diagnosed by your symptoms and observations of improvements after taking supplements. Biotin isn't the only vitamin deficiency that could be causing weak or brittle nails. If your body is lacking iron or vitamins B, C, D, or E, brittle nails may be a symptom.

Read More