Super Brittle Nails

I don't know what's going on, but it's getting on my nerves.

My fingernails grow so quickly, never break, and look gorgeous when naturally manicured. But my toenails are a different story.

This problem of mine has gotten increasingly worse over the past few years. My toenails are so thin and brittle, they basically peel off. I like to be a clean human being, so I like to get the yuck out from underneath my nails. But when I do, the toenail breaks, splits, or tears like a sheet of paper. I have to keep my toenails really short to help against breaking. But then my toes look weird with tiny little toenails - I even avoid wearing open toe shoes.

Does anyone have any insight to what may be going on? I have tried everything I know about - not painting my nails, not keeping nail polish on my toenails for too long if I do paint them, applying moisturizers, natural oils, I've tried Biotin....

Help!

If it's just your toenails I would see your doctor as you could have some kind of infection.  Fungal, possibly.  If your fingernails were also brittle and flaking then it would be more likely to be a general health issue... but if it's isolated to your toes then it sounds like a localised problem.

If you run a lot, your toes and toenails can get damaged. Same goes for dancing.

A diet low in fat also contributes to weak nails (and hair).

Either that or like gi-jane says, some kind of fungal infection.

Go to the doctors and have it checked for fungal. I dont think its an overall health problem since you said your finger nails are strong. you'll probably get some kind of ointment and an oral medication. Keep on hand the odoreater shoe spray to cut down the bacteria in your shoes. I use it all the time cause I get terrible athletes foot.

Thanks for all the input!

Does anyone know if medications bought at a super market work well?

either go to a nail salon to get it or see your doctor. sometimes the bacteria is grown so far in to the nail or under your ccuticles  that only oral medication can work.