Brittle Nails and Hair Loss
Quite often you must have noticed several strands of hair entangled in the comb after you brush your hair, or splitting or cracking of the nails while you trim them. Well, the sight is disappointing and annoying for most of us. Brittle nails and hair loss is common in both men and women. Although it's not a sign of some serious illness or disease, there are different factors that cause this.
Causes
Stress: Stress is the most common cause, which is not only taking a toll on a person's physical and psychological being but is also causing various dermatological problems, like acne, brittle nails, hair loss, etc. Elevated level of the body's stress hormone cortisol, causes a rise in oil production which leads to oily skin and hair loss. Brittle nails is an outward sign of stress which develops due to nervous nail biting or picking nails when a person is stressed. Rubbing of the fingers over the thumb nail is another sign of stress which causes distortion of the nail plate, and further leads to brittle nails.
Vitamin Deficiency: Vitamin deficiency is the another common cause. Vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, biotin, inositol and folic acid are essential for scalp circulation, formation of healthy sebum in the scalp, and works by reducing the adverse effects of free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight, smoke and pollution on the skin and nails.
Anemia: Anemia or iron deficiency is a health disorder that develops when the blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells in the body. These cells are the main transporters of oxygen and iron to the different parts of the body, hence, deficiency of iron can lead to brittle nails and hair loss.
Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a hormonal disorder caused due to excessive production of thyroid hormones in an overactive thyroid gland. Since the hormones have a profound effect on the hair follicles and the quality of hair, hair loss and brittle nails may occur due to the changing thyroid levels.
Radiations: Radiation treatment or chemotherapy not only kills fast growing cancer cells but also affects healthy and normal cells in the body which can cause various skin and hair problems like hair loss, yellow and brittle nails, skin rashes, etc.
Remedy
One of the best way to overcome this problem is to live a stress free and tension free life. Hair loss treatment for oily scalp may include frequent shampooing, as this will reduce surface sebum that contains high levels of testosterone and DHT that may affect the hair follicle. For non-oily scalp regular hair massage and oiling of the hair will help in preventing the hair loss. Applying lotions or nail solutions, wearing gloves while washing dishes, regular manicure of the nails are some simple brittle nails treatment or remedies. While applying products like nail polish or nail polish remover, it is always better to opt for good quality products from a reliable brand.
Hence, by following a healthy diet comprising necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals, you can surely avoid the risks of having brittle nails and hair loss. However if the aforementioned remedies bring no benefits and the condition worsen with time, it's recommended to consult a dermatologist for necessary treatment and medications.
