Diffuse Hair Loss, Brittle and Yellowing Nails

I have been experiencing heavy diffuse hair loss for about a year now. My nails are very dry, brittle, have long vertical ridges and split very easily. My big toenails are yellow in color and have been falling off their beds with new ones growing under, for the last 5-6 years. My skin is also very dry. My skin is very dry too.

My scalp is itchy, and when I scratch it I have grainy, sand like white stuff in my nails. Could you please tell me how this hair loss can be controlled? Is it fungal in nature? Or is something else going on inside the body?

Thanks.

Generally, it does sound like you have a fungal problem (onychomycosis), but please see a dermatologist so that he/she can make that diagnosis and provide a treatment path. This isn’t something I can do over the Internet. Your hair and nail conditions could be completely unrelated, but I’d need an examination to determine that.