Badly flaking nails

Mine were in bad shape, I was taking lots of pharmaceuticals for my health. I still take some (I cut out what I considered unnecessary with my doc's involvement) and now take Collagen (pure, with no nasty fillers) and they no longer split at all and I have to cut them every week to keep them short enough for my piano practice.

Another fan of OPI Repair Mode. I've struggled with my nails for a long time, weak and would split but always low down which would end up quite sore if it caught and ripped further. I'm on week four of use and the difference is quite dramatic.

‘Johnn1 you seem to be advertising these socks ?
I’m not sure socks will help your nails ?

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Gin

I will never get used to predictive text. Yes biotin not iodine gosh it is trying again!

I must remember to always preview before posting.

I thought I’d check if you might have actually meant iodine, I’ve read it’s being used for all sorts now.

I will never get used to predictive text. Yes biotin not iodine gosh it is trying again!

I must remember to always preview before posting.

sassenach512

Eating nuts, especially walnuts, almonds and peanuts (if you're not allergic to them) are good for strengthening your nails, also sunflower seeds. My nails used to be soft and bendy till I started eating nuts and seeds every day, now they are really strong

That’s a great idea, thank you. And
simple and natural too.

MiniMoon

I started to take a daily well woman 70+ multi vitamin tablet.
My nails have never been better. They were ridged and bumpy but since taking the vitamin pill had improved them no end.

Do you mind sharing which ones you used please MiniMoon?

Well you clever lot, it looks like it’s going to be down to a deficiency of some sort. I spoke to the lovely chemist at Boots this afternoon and she said I’d need a blood test to confirm which deficiency is causing the problem. It could be any of the many already mentioned in your responses. Namely: magnesium, calcium, B-complex vitamins, especially biotin, and low calcium which contributes to dry, brittle nails. Also a lack of folic acid and vitamin C. So, I wasn’t sure I can actually bother the GP with this, it’s only nails but it’s so ugly. The chemist didn’t think they looked too bad, but I’d oiled them and painted with Dr Lewwins Renunail. When I showed her the photo I took pre treatment earlier today she said tell your GP I asked you to get a blood test. I have an annual one but I can’t read the results, I can see them but it means nothing to me. I do notice on the graphs though, each one seems to be taking a huge spiral downwards, but what do I know 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Gin

I have taken iodine daily for years and have not gained any weight and I’ve not had an issue increased appetite.

Did you mean biotin Gin? It doesn’t suit me. I’m glad it helps you.

yogitree

Good point by OldFrill. Aside from that, Clean Collagen supplements can help (well they did for me).

Would you mind saying me collagen supplements worked for please yogitree?

I have psoriasis which affects my scalp and nails .Weak slw growing.etc. A complete mess. Any suggestions please.

Eating nuts, especially walnuts, almonds and peanuts (if you're not allergic to them) are good for strengthening your nails, also sunflower seeds. My nails used to be soft and bendy till I started eating nuts and seeds every day, now they are really strong

I have taken iodine daily for years and have not gained any weight and I’ve not had an issue increased appetite.

Gin

Have you tried biotin tablets? I take them to help with thinning hair and found my nails improved as well. It is one of the D vitamins

I was going to suggest this too. Biotin tablets are excellent for nail health (and healthy hair)

Slightly off topic, I have a very bad lifelong nervous habit of picking the skin around my nails (as has my DD) to the extent I have spent lots of time with plasters on my fingers…

*:!'"

This is also one of my problems - perhaps not quite as bad as you hollysteers. It is definitely a genetic thing. I have very few memories of my paternal grandmother, but her fiddling with her cuticles is one very prominent one. My father combatted it with very strict self-discipline, but it came through to me. None of my children have got the habit, but they all seem to be obsessed with cutting their children's finger- and toe-nails.

Slightly off topic, I have a very bad lifelong nervous habit of picking the skin around my nails (as has my DD) to the extent I have spent lots of time with plasters on my fingers…

I now have acrylic nails done at a salon and can’t pick. Lovely nails, never have to think about them and worth every penny.
I wouldn’t bother if I didn’t have this problem and wish it was offered by the NHS!

Spinnaker

Instead of using OPI nail hardener try OPI Repair Mode. Applied every day for one week then a couple of times a week. My nails have been weak and flaky all my life and this was my last shot at trying to improve them - and it worked !! My daughter is now using it with the same great results. I am so proud of my nails now and that's just six weeks in.

This one’s in my list thank you Spinnaker. I’m going to try everything (consecutively) to I get an improvement. Great it worked for you and your daughter.

Gin

Have you tried biotin tablets? I take them to help with thinning hair and found my nails improved as well. It is one of the D vitamins

Not Biotin Gin but I take Nourkrin for my hair, when I ran out I used Boots own for hair and and nails as it’s so much cheaper. I think it’s called Perfectil. I started to get a raging appetite with those, really bad, I was eating like a teen, hungry all the time. I hadn’t had a decent appetite in years. I found they have biotin in them which can increase your appetite so I stopped them after five months. I’m still struggling to shift the whole stone I put on in the five months of taking them. I couldn’t go to bed without something to eat first, it was crazy. My nails didn’t grow much in that time only my waistline 🙄. Must be different for everybody I think.

Good point by OldFrill. Aside from that, Clean Collagen supplements can help (well they did for me).

Llamedos13

Since taking vitamin d and calcium supplements my nails are strong and grow fast,they used to be flaking and splitting.

Calcium is one I haven’t thought of Llamedos13, I’ll have to check if it will be ok with my meds. I already take vit D. Thank you.

MissInterpreted

CND solar oil really seems to help when my nails get like that.

Just ordered this online 👍 thank you MissInterpreted.

Have you tried biotin tablets? I take them to help with thinning hair and found my nails improved as well. It is one of the D vitamins

glammagran

I’ve been taking Vitamin D for the last 4 years and my dry, ridged, flaky nails are no more. I highly recommend.

Been in vitamin D for years glamgran, doesn’t help mine unfortunately.

dogsmother

I wish you good fortune with all that you try. I’ve had this ongoing for years, biggest puzzle being why not my toenails too?
The only other supplement I’d suggest is collagen.
I too give in now and again and paint on Rimmel nail nurse followed by a coat of something plain and clear.
I thought when I retired from work and my hands weren’t constantly being washed it would improve sadly not. They’ve certainly had time to grow out.

We’re definitely not alone in this dogsmother. I’m going to try everything that’s been recommended.