Question 1

which kind of vitamin / nutrition deficiencies cause brittle nails?

Accepted Answer

Silica: Is the first one i think of. Calcium can be another. There is a supplement called horsetail or hair, skin, and nails that is very helpful for many. See if that helps over three months...If not see your doctor. There is a great micronutrient test called spectracell (www.Spectracell.Com) that may also be helpful to you.

Question 2

can vitamin deficiency cause nails to pull away from the nail bed?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin deficiency: Yes, consider a and d deficiency as the likely culprit, however, some minerals also could be the cause, as well as metabolic disease.

Question 3

toenails are separating from nail bed, and hair falls out in large amounts, cause? no fungus, no tsh deficiency, no vitamin deficiency...

Accepted Answer

Toenails: I don't know of a link between nail bed issues and hair loss.
However I think it is important for you to have your doctor refer you to podiatrist (foot doctor) while your doctor is looking into you hair loss.

Question 4

hi doctor, the finger hand nails of my 11years old daughter have lines and nails almost turning brownish. she is not sick.what is the cause? can that be a vitamin deficiency maybe? is there anything to be concerned about?

Accepted Answer

Fungal infection: I would recommend seeing your physician, there are a number of possible conditions which may discolor the nails. Among these are infections, pigmentation and a number of syndromes. 
A well balanced diet and use of bottled water is suggested until evaluated.
A photo for the physician may help to determine the cause.

Question 5

frequent angular cheilitis, anal skin irritation, weak/ridged nails and hair fall. could it be caused by severe stress or rather from a vitamin deficiency or disease?

Accepted Answer

: Those symptoms are more likely caused by a systemic condition +/- vitamin deficiency rather than just stress.

Question 6

thinning nails and hair are an indication of what? a mineral/vitamin deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Thinning nails and : Actually, this is to questions, and i show address the thing of nails. Thinning of nails is most often thought to be an age related phenomenon. As we age our nails get sooner and more brittle and well this is most commonly age-related, there are conditions such as thyroid deficiencies which can cause this.

Question 7

my 18 month old has a lot of white spots on his nails. is that an indication of vitamin deficiency?

Accepted Answer

No: It is harmless and most commonly caused by minor injuries that occur while the nail is growing. It is not a sign of excess or deficiency of calcium and zinc or other vitamins in the diet. Very common in babies. White spots disappear after around eight weeks, which is the amount of time necessary for nails to regrow completely. The pattern and number of spots may change as the nail grows.

Question 8

any vitamin health supplement recommendation for brittle nails and hair ??

Accepted Answer

NONE: Biotin, calcium, many others, are pitched to gullible people by unscrupulous con men. See a dermatologist if you have a significant issue. Nutrition is obtained from food. Eat your vegetables. There are THOUSANDS of nutrients in food which cannot be reproduced in any pill. People who eat normal food derive no benefit from vitamin pills.

Question 9

i had tiny brown spots appear on my right hand seemingly overnight. there is no pain or itching. i am breastfeeding; could this be vitamin deficiency?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Since breastfeeding moms have been, and usually still are, taking prenatal vitamins or once-a-day multivitamins, having vitamin deficiencies  to the point of actually getting symptoms are unlikely. If there are any other symptoms present, a primary care doctor can evaluate the rash and other symptoms.

Question 10

my 12 yr old boy has brown finger nails and toe nails. is that a anemia or vitamin deficiency? he's tried a lot.

Accepted Answer

Brown nails: 5 things come to mind:1)fungal infection 2) zinc deficiency also known as acrodemaritis enteropathica 3) smoking unlikely 4) darier disease (keratosis follicularis) or 5) iodine poisoning. Better to see a good internist or dermatologist or a good podiatrist. Thanks.

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Doctor answers about:

What vitamin deficiency causes brittle nails

A member asked:

Which kind of vitamin / nutrition deficiencies cause brittle nails?

A member asked:

Can vitamin deficiency cause nails to pull away from the nail bed?

A member asked:

Toenails are separating from nail bed, and hair falls out in large amounts, cause? no fungus, no tsh deficiency, no vitamin deficiency...

A member asked:

Hi doctor, the finger hand nails of my 11years old daughter have lines and nails almost turning brownish. she is not sick.what is the cause? can that be a vitamin deficiency maybe? is there anything to be concerned about?

A member asked:

Frequent angular cheilitis, anal skin irritation, weak/ridged nails and hair fall. could it be caused by severe stress or rather from a vitamin deficiency or disease?

A member asked:

Thinning nails and hair are an indication of what? a mineral/vitamin deficiency?

A member asked:

My 18 month old has a lot of white spots on his nails. is that an indication of vitamin deficiency?

A member asked:

Any vitamin health supplement recommendation for brittle nails and hair ??

A member asked:

I had tiny brown spots appear on my right hand seemingly overnight. there is no pain or itching. i am breastfeeding; could this be vitamin deficiency?

A member asked:

My 12 yr old boy has brown finger nails and toe nails. is that a anemia or vitamin deficiency? he's tried a lot.

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