Medications & Your Nails: What’s the Deal?

Ever looked down at your nails and thought, Wait… when did they get so weak? They’re breaking easily, peeling at the edges, and don’t even get us started on those annoying hangnails. If this sounds familiar, our first question at Revitalized Reflection is always:

“Have you started any new medications?”

And trust us—the look of shock as people realize “Oh wow, I have!” never gets old.

Why Do Medications Affect Nails?

Certain medications can weaken nails, causing them to become brittle, discolored, or prone to breaking. This isn’t because the meds are stealing nutrients from your nails (as dramatic as that sounds), but rather because they can impact:

🧬 Keratin Production – Medications like retinoids, chemotherapy drugs, and certain antibiotics (like tetracyclines) can disrupt how your body produces keratin, the protein that makes up your nails.💉 Circulation & Nutrient Absorption – Some medications reduce blood flow to extremities or interfere with your body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients like biotin, iron, and zinc—key players in strong, healthy nails.⚠️ Direct Nail Toxicity – In some cases, medications can actually damage the nail matrix (the area under your skin where nails grow), leading to visible changes.

Signs Your Medication Might Be Messing With Your Nails

🔹 Thinning & Breakage – If your nails suddenly snap under the slightest pressure, they may not be getting enough keratin reinforcement. More hangnails? That’s because the delicate skin around your nails is also affected.

🔹 Beau’s Lines – These horizontal indentations across the nail often appear about a week after starting a new medication. Think of them as little "growth pauses" caused by temporary disruptions in nail formation.

🔹 Leukonychia (White Spots) – While minor trauma (like smacking your hand on a table) can cause these, if you haven’t injured your nails but notice tiny 1-2mm white streaks, your new meds might be the culprit.

🔹 Onycholysis (Nail Separation) – If parts of your nail start lifting off the nail bed, leaving a white or yellowish area underneath, this could be a medication side effect. This happens more often with antibiotics, psoriasis treatments, and certain cancer drugs.

What Can You Do About It?

While your nails might not return to their full glory until you're off the medication, you can minimize damage and keep them looking their best:

✨ Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize! – Use cuticle oil and hand cream daily to keep your nails flexible and less prone to breakage.

🧤 Wear Gloves – Protect your hands when using cleaning agents, washing dishes, or even folding laundry (yep, fabric fibers suck moisture from your nails!).

💊 Check Your Nutrition – Talk to your doctor about supplements or dietary changes to support healthy nail growth.

If you’re noticing major changes in your nails after starting a medication, don’t panic—but don’t ignore it either! A quick chat with your healthcare provider can help determine if the medication is the cause and if there are ways to counteract its effects.