By the way, doctor: Does having ridged and split fingernails mean I'm unhealthy?
Fingernails don't always change with age, and they don't necessarily change at any particular age. But brittle nails are very common, occurring in 27% of women. The nails may separate at the tips in thin layers, peeling like layers of an onion, a condition called onychoschizia. If the nails are ridged and brittle, they may split lengthwise. The problem tends to increase with age, as nails lose their water content. Dehydration is a risk in cold, dry climates and with frequent washing and drying of the hands and exposure to cleaning agents and solvents like nail polish removers.
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