Nail problems

It's normal for nails to:

• become thicker or break more easily (brittle) as you get older
• become harder, softer or more brittle during pregnancy (they should be healthier within 6 months of having a baby)
• change colour, become loose and eventually fall off after an injury

Fingernails that fall off after an injury should grow back within 6 months. Toenails can take up to 18 months.

There are some things you can do to help with common nail problems.

• wear rubber gloves if your hands are often in water or you regularly use cleaning products

• clean your nails with a soft nailbrush

• apply hand cream to your nails and fingertips regularly

• trim your nails regularly (it may help to cut them after a shower or bath)

• cut injured, loose nails back to where they are still attached, so they do not bend or catch on objects

• do not cut your nails down the edges, and only trim straight across the top to help avoid an ingrown toenail

• do not clean under your nails with sharp objects

• do not wear shoes that pinch your toes, especially when exercising

• do not bite or pick your nails or the skin around them

• do not ignore fungal infections on your skin, such as athlete's foot

• a nail has changed shape, changed colour or fallen off and you do not know why
• the skin around your nails has become sore, red, swollen and warm (paronychia), which can be a sign of an infection or ingrown toenail

See a podiatrist if:

• your nails are too tough to cut or you cannot reach them

Some GPs may be able to refer you to a footcare specialist (podiatrist). You can also pay to see a podiatrist privately.

Most nail problems are caused by:

• injuries or biting your nails
• staining your nails, for example, by smoking or applying a lot of nail varnish
• not regularly trimming your nails, or cutting them at an angle
• your hands often being in water or cleaning products
• a fungal nail infection

Nail problems can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious or long-term condition, such as:

• psoriasis
• iron deficiency anaemia
• an underactive thyroid or overactive thyroid
• diabetes
• heart, lung or liver disease

Some medicines can also cause nail problems. Check the side effects of any medicine you're taking.

It's normal for nails to change over time and it's not always a sign of a problem. For example, they can become thicker and brittle as you get older.

Common causes of nail problems include injuries and fungal infections. Sometimes they can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as diabetes.

Things you can do to keep your nails healthy include keeping them clean and dry, and trimming them regularly.