Many people feel that the quality of their fingernails is declining with numerous up-and-down ridges and splitting at the tips. Researchers now have made attempts to predict a person’s health from the condition of their nails.

Some of the changes in nails may be good indicators of health problems. Length wise nail ridging is a normal indicator of aging. The appearance and slow growth of the fingernails and toenails change as we grow older. With the age some nails start showing a yellowed or dull and brittle nature. In some cases the nails may develop tiny longitudinal ridges as well. Aging cause thinning and fragility in finger nails. It causes thickening and hardening in the toenails also.

There is no particular age for changes to occur in the nails. It is not necessary also that the fingernails will be changed with age. Brittleness however, is more common among women. Almost 27% of the women have brittle nails. Separation of nails in to thin layers at the tips is common. This separation is like peeling of an onion. Experts call this condition as “Onychoschizia“.

(more…)