Nail problems

Your nails may change over time

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.

Things you can do yourself

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

See a GP if:

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

See a podiatrist if:

• your nails are too tough to cut or you can't reach them

Some GPs may be able to refer you for podiatry. You can also pay to see a podiatrist privately.

Find a podiatrist

Causes of nail problems

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

But don't self-diagnose – see a GP if you're worried.

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