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Brittle nails — what to take?

Brittle nails crack, peel and break easily. Causes: dehydration, contact with water/chemicals, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid disorders, fungal infections, psoriasis.

Also known as: weak nails nails that break onychoschizia
5 recommended OTC drugs
8,327 pharmacies available

In short: Brittle nails crack, peel in layers (onychoschizia) or break easily, often because of repeated contact with water and detergents, dehydration of the nail plate or certain nutritional deficiencies. Common OTC options include biotin, L-cystine with B vitamins, hydrolyzed collagen, iron with vitamin C and zinc. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the prices of these options across the major pharmacies (Dr. Max, Tei, Catena, HelpNet), with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace medical advice; ask your doctor if your nails become thickened and yellowish, a possible sign of a fungal infection.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — no prescription

What you can take for brittle nails

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to see a doctor

If any of these signs appear, consult a doctor — OTC treatment is not enough:

  • Thickened, yellow nails (suspected onychomycosis)
  • New pigmented spots on the nail
  • Complete loss of the nail
  • Paronychia (periungual infection)
  • Changes associated with hypothyroidism or anemia

Common causes

Repeated exposure to water/detergents (homemakers, medical staff), nail polish containing toluene/formaldehyde, deficiency of biotin, iron, protein, zinc. Diseases: hypothyroidism, anemia, psoriasis, onychomycosis, Raynaud.

OTC treatment and supplements

Biotin 2.5-5 mg/day — effective for idiopathic brittle nails, improvement is seen within 3-6 months.

L-cysteine + B vitamins (Pantogar, Revalid) — supports keratin.

Iron, zinc — in case of confirmed deficiency.

Hydrolyzed collagen — 2.5-10 g/day, emerging evidence.

Topical treatments:

  • Strengthening polishes (IBX, Mavala Scientifique).
  • Cuticle oils (argan, jojoba, vitamin E).
  • Hydroxypropyl chitosan — film-forming repairing agent.

Daily care

  • Gloves when washing dishes, cleaning.
  • Moisturizer after washing hands.
  • Avoid harsh polishes, frequent acetone.
  • Breaks between gel manicures.
  • Cut with scissors, do not tear.
  • File in the same direction (not back-and-forth).

When to see a doctor

Very thickened or discolored nails (onychomycosis, psoriasis), pigmented spots on the nail (rule out subungual melanoma), concave nails (koilonychia — iron-deficiency anemia), associated systemic changes.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a healthcare professional.

Medicines compared

Medicines used for brittle nails

This list is for guidance only, generated automatically from the DCI/category match. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Search the pharmacy

Medicines for brittle nails

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for brittle nails

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll immediately see pharmacies sorted by distance, each with its opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. If it's night or a weekend, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For brittle nails most of the listed remedies are over the counter, so you can walk in without a prescription, but check stock and prices on the comparator page first to avoid wasted trips.

If you have a preferred active ingredient (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.), search it in the comparator before you leave — you'll see which chain has it cheapest near you and whether it's in stock. For chronic prescriptions, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and turn on hours notifications — it saves unnecessary trips, especially when treatment for brittle nails runs over weeks.

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Căderea părului

Pierderea a 50-100 fire de păr pe zi e normală. Peste această rată — alopecie. Cauze: androgenică, telogenă (stres, postpartum, dietă), areata (autoimună), cicatricială.

 Symptom

Oboseală

Oboseala e lipsă persistentă de energie, peste ce e normal după efort. Cauzele variază de la lipsă de somn la anemie, hipotiroidie, diabet, depresie, boli cronice.

 Condition

Hipotiroidism

Hipotiroidismul = deficit de hormoni tiroidieni. Cauza principală — tiroidita autoimună Hashimoto. Simptome: oboseală, îngrășare, constipație, piele uscată, depresie, bradicardie.

Frequently asked

What else do you want to know?

Brittle nails — what causes them?
The most common: water/detergent exposure, nutritional deficiency, age, the thyroid, psoriasis. Try supplements + avoiding external factors for 3 months.
Does biotin really help?
Yes, for idiopathic brittle nails — studies show a 25% increase in thickness after 6 months. Dose: 2.5-5 mg/day.
Why do I have vertical lines on my nails?
Usually associated with aging, with no pathological significance. A cuticle moisturizer helps cosmetically.
Concave nails (koilonychia) — what is it?
A sign of iron-deficiency anemia. Consult your doctor; a complete blood count + ferritin will clarify it.

See also

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