Crumbling nails.

My nails start to break and split on 1 September every year regular as clockwork. It's definitely due to vitamin D deficiency, you wait, they'll be lovely in the summer.

PS Last year mine did grow longer and stay like that for a few weeks more because of the extraordinarily long summer we had.

Synonymous which Vit D tablets are you using please?

Greciangirl I had this problem and also tried everything that you have tried to no avail as well as the nail envy which did cover it up but it was only when I started taking really hefty doses of vitamin d accompanied by magnesium that it has started to get better. My nails are much more robust now and are starting to look good again. I keep away from nail varnish/polish too nowadays as it seems to suck the life out of my nails but they now look good enough not to need to cover them up anyway,
We all need vit d but I found the recommended dosage totally inadequate. When I realised this I increased it by starting off at 10,000 per day for a couple of months and now take one of those every other day taking it down to 5,000. I needed the magnesium to be able to utilise the vit d and have that in a cream form which works quicker and better. I don't feel as tired either now and do not intend reducing my intake at all. My coz was admiring my 'nice nails' when she was with me on Friday so job done I think. [ smile]

I can thoroughly recommend OPI's Nail Envy....

Have you got any other problems ie thinning hair, tiredness, weight gain? I consulted my GP years ago with the nail issue, had a blood test to discover an underactive thyroid, since taking the meds my nails are better.

Have them professionally done with gel / shellac at a nail salon. It’s expensive and does tie you in, but does solve the splitting nails problem. Plus looks nice.

I think a lot of it is just "getting older". Mine are exactly the same unfortunately. Over the last couple of years I've tried all the Hair-Skin-Nails supplements, but after months there has been zero result. I've used all the paint-on products with similar results. I've got to the stage where I just trim them short and keep them buffed and smoothed with a buffer. If anyone can recommend something which actually works I'd be happy !

I have the same problems as OP with my nails and like Greciangirl have tried lots of things with little improvement. Has anyone else tried OPI Nail Envy as recommended by Chewbacca? I had never heard of it and looked it up online and it seems to have very good reviews.

OPI Original Nail Envy. Approximately £12.00 a bottle and worth every penny.

Work on it from inside, Eat things containing calcium and gelatin. The advice used to be to eat a square a day of a block fruit jelly (the kind you dissolve in boiling water to make a table jelly) plus milk, cheese, yoghurt etc, not together, obviously, unless that is what you fancy. I am not sure whether those jelly blocks have real gelatin in them any more, or if is is now caragheen or agar agar.

See your GP too.

I find the Hair, Skin and Nails tablets from Holland and Barrett a great help. Worth trying.

I have this problem and mine is caused by psoriasis under the nails. Perhaps you should ask your GP