Crumbling nails.

I had a problem with breaking and splitting nails, it went on for ages, I tried everything; GP: tried asking swimming pool whether they'd changed or added any chemicals etc. Then suddenly it stopped, my nails are now back to normal, so my guess is that it was part of the menopause - for me anyway. I'm 72 now and this was about 7 years ago. Best of luck anyway

This thread made me actually do something about my own nails. I cannot 'paint' anything on them as removal solution destroys them no matter what sort. So in a moment of inspiration I did what I did years ago and a few night started applying olive oil to the nails and cuticle with a small soft toothbrush and leaving it on for an hour. Massive improvement already. Pleased as punch

DO try Nailtique!!! Cannot recommend it highly enough don't know why more people don't use it. Suffered flaking nails for years, they were a real mess until manicurist suggested this and I've been using it ever since. Paint it on like clear nail varnish for 5 days then take it off for 2 days and then start again. After 6-8 weeks I actually needed to cut my nails something I hadn't done for a very long time. I buy on Amazon, there are some different strengths but I use no. 2.

Having gel nails done has made my nails worse. I had them done at Xmas and then again in January but am now having time off to let them recuperate.

Thanks for the info Grans. In my case I am in good health thoroughly checked by lovely GP, eat a very healthy Mediteranean type diet, am not deficient in Vit D just have crap fingernails, so think I will give OPI a trial. ?

Gel nails of whatever brand aren’t suitable for unheathly nails.
If a client came into me with split and crumbling nails I would refuse to put gels on.
The nails are a window onto the state of your body or lifestyle. Look at you diet, your health and the way you use your hands. Housework, gardening, and other pursuits can have an impact. OPI, Nailtiques and many other products are excellent. Sometimes you need to vary them. Both OPI and Nailtiques have options.

I have the same problem which I think is genetic. I have vertical lines on all my nails which become more pronounced as the years go by, as does the weakness and splitting at the least provocation! I recall my mother and maternal grandmother having the same problem, but there can also be lots of other causes for weak nails as other posters have said.

I’ve tried a few remedies over the years and found that keeping them short and using OPI nail strengthener are the only things that work me. I prefer the matte version as shiny nails aren’t my thing. It is pricey though (around £20) but last for quite a while.

Ask at Boots or when you next see your GP.

Perhaps ask a salon for advice. They may suggest shellac.

My nails are beautiful when I am in Greece and absolutely awful in England. Think sunshine (Vit D) and olive oil probably help. Take Biotin now which helps a bit but they are very brittle at this time of the year.

Travelsafar I use Solgar Vitamin D3 ( cholecalciferol) softgels which I buy on the internet. I have my levels checked regularly and it is now at an acceptable level which I have to maintain at the higher supplementation level. It is acknowledged that it is difficult in the northern climes to have sufficient for your body without supplementing but of course you do need to keep an eye on the numbers. If you are seriously numerically low you would never get anywhere near even to the nhs level at the maximum recommended 800 iu supplementation level. We are all different and have varying needs and the nhs recommended levels are totally inadequate for my needs and my DD's which is why the endocrinologist said that the gp's advice is based on general knowledge rather than specialist experience. All I know is that I feel so much better for my supplements and my nails are a real indicator flag for me. Be careful but take charge of your own health.

Greciangirl, My nails were crumbling terribly, I was cutting them shorter and shorter as they were breaking and very ugly. I got Strength Serum from Superdrug for £4.79. I used it twice a day and before I'd finished the tube I was able to wear nail polish - a matter of about a month or less. I'm really impressed with it.

I'm 70 and have fine hair but lots of it and very strong nails even though I never wear gloves when washing up. I can only put it down to consuming milk, eggs, cheese, real butter and cream...all of which I absolutely love, I am careful not to eat too much though but always use real butter and olive oil when cooking. (I use Trex if I make pastry though, never butter, lard or marg)I wonder if this may be a contributing factor to having strong nails? I rarely use nail varnish.

First see a doctor to see if there is an underlying cause. Nails are very often the first sign of an illness.

crystal I think gel nail polish damages the nails but shellac is supposed to be OK. You can buy the remover in Boots so don't have to go to the salon to get it taken off.

I have terrible nails, take the H & B stuff but hasn't helped. Not sure nail strengthener does anything to the health of nails but think it might make it harder to break them. I'll try the OPI one as dil loves all the OPI stuff.

I take a daily vitamin D tablet, and have done for a good few years.
My hair is thinning, but I’ve lost weight, not put it on.
Had thyroid tests a couple of years ago. All came back normal.
I occasionally wear clear nail hardener varnish, but not all the time.
I think a lot of problems with my nails is to do with the cold weather, maybe. I could be wrong.
I tried all sorts of vitamin supplements but they make no difference.
I have milk in tea and porridge and eat an egg a week.
Generally my diet is good. I eat very little red meat and some chicken,.
Thanks for all your advice, but I am reluctant to buy any more nail products as I have spent enough already.

I havent been able to use nail polish during my working life simply because we were not allowed to, being Nurses, but now I love using it and had my nails constantly covered for a month or so leading up to Christmas, and then they became flaky, splitting and generaly awful.I havent used nail polish,since Christmas, and my nails are getting back to normal of sorts, I realised they need air to them, I use daily vitamin suplements so get the Vit D I need, my hair is thick and grows quickly, and I am generally in good health thankfully, so maybe the answer is dont leave nails covered for too long.

Last year, I took vit D religiously all winter, and my nails were much improved. At this time of year we have the lowest Vit D stores, so a daily dose really seems to help.

Rub almond oil onto bare nails every night. It really worked for me. Don't wear nail polish all the time.

Please NOT take overdoses of vitamins - it is dangerous! Unless you are prescribed a higher dose by your doctor, you should take no more than 10 micrograms per day or 400iu (international units). As for the nails, I would keep them short, moisturise the cuticles with something simple like E45 and be patient. It takes a good 6 months to see a definite improvement, as I can attest after chemotherapy. I had haemorrhages under the nail bed and the nails split and broke off. 13 months after completing chemo, my nails are just about back to normal.

I suggest you stop using all the various preparations you mention in case you are allergic to them and thus making the problem worse.

Increase your intake of calcium and vitamin D (our bodies only absorb calcium if we have enough vitamin D. )

I hope it helps, although I admit is hasn't stop my problem with thinning hair.

Greciangirl, do you consume milk? Between us, DH & I get through ten pints a week of semi skimmed. (Daily porridge plus drinks). Also six eggs a week are shared. Both of us have strong and fast-growing nails. I also use gloves for as many jobs as possible and have hand-cream to hand, around the home. And I only use nail varnish for special occasions. All of these might help?

I found that Nail Envy worked well for years, but suddenly the nails started splitting and I changed to Nailtiques Formula 2 - available on line from you-know-who.They are now in much better condition than at any time in the past 50 years! May be something to do with AdCal, calcium/vitD supplement, prescribed to prevent osteoporosis. I don't have manicures but enjoy doing my own.

Mine are terrible but I swim most days and had put it down to that. Then I read your post JackyB and realised mine do this more in winter. AND I havn't been taking my vits lately.

I urge people not to take very large doses of vitamin D without it being prescribed by a doctor. You can take too much and the body does not excrete it. Recommended daily intake is a lot lower than what you think, google effects of taking large doses.
My prescribed vitamin D3 is just 800IU.

I have just started using the hair skin and nail supplement from Holland and Barrett but it's too soon to say if it's helping yet.
The glass nail files are awful things unless you buy the really really expensive ones with diamond in it. My mil paid £42 years ago for hers. I've tried many many cheaper ones from £4 to £10 and they wreck my nails. I now use the professional disposable ones from a wholesalers my dil has access to at about £2 each .
I always used to have a cube of jelly a day . Are they still the same ingredients of years ago though?