Weak nails can signal nutritional deficiencies or systemic conditions

Weak, brittle nails, or nails with surface changes, may look like a purely aesthetic problem, but they often hide nutritional factors, inadequate habits, frequent contact with chemicals or systemic conditions that call for medical evaluation. The Brazilian Society of Dermatology, RS Section (SBD-RS) warns that persistent changes deserve investigation by a dermatologist, especially in the face of intense fragility, pain, inflammation or progressive worsening.

According to SBD-RS delegate Dr. Vanessa Santos Cunha, not every weak nail means a lack of vitamins, but the possibility needs to be part of the evaluation. Some people naturally have thinner nails due to genetic predisposition. In other cases, the fragility is linked to low protein intake, dietary restrictions or deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, zinc and silicon.

The doctor also draws attention to the risks of self-medication and excessive use of chemical products.