title: Management of simple brittle nails.
abstract: Brittle nails are characterized by roughness of the surface of the nail plate, fragility, and peeling. This is a condition that is seen commonly in elderly individuals, and it is associated mostly with an abnormality of keratin, keratin associated proteins, water, and/or lipid content. It is idiopathic in the majority of the cases, but there are some dermatological and systemic diseases that can be associated with brittle nails. Treatment is a challenge for the clinician, in some case, can be difficult, and certainly needs strong cooperation of the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology-Venereology, Medical School, "Attikon" University Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. drigop@hol.gr
authors.forename: Rigopoulos
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dimitris
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ralph
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001505:Beauty Culture; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009262:Nails / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D009264:Nails, Malformed / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water