Splitting nails

harrys_nan

I have vertical ridges on my thumb nails and one of them has split giving me a V cut in the top of the nail, I need to feed or something so can anyone recommend a oil or anything that I can use. The cheaper the better,:D I have tried to buff them smooth but thats not working.

Waffle_On

I would suggest rubbing sweet almond oil in several times a day. You should be able to pick it up cheaply.

In addition, if you are able to, cut off as much of the broken nail as possible and file the edge smooth - if you can remove all of the damaged are plus a bit extra even better.

Also, consider whether your diet is nutritionally adequate. Things like healthy fats (e.g. olive oil, oily fish or avocado) and calcium are particularly needed for healthy nails. You could consider a hair, skin and nails supplement if you keep having problems - Holland & Barratt do one that's meant to be quite good.

Fire_Fox

Speak to your doctor, vertical splits can occasionally suggest an underlying health problem OR problem with diet imbalances.

harrys_nan

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Speak to your doctor, vertical splits can occasionally suggest an underlying health problem OR problem with diet imbalances.

Thats interesting re health problems, I have an underactive thyroid, Will be seeing my doctor next week so will have a word,:)

harrys_nan

Waffle_On wrote: »

I would suggest rubbing sweet almond oil in several times a day. You should be able to pick it up cheaply.

Also, consider whether your diet is nutritionally adequate. Things like healthy fats (e.g. olive oil, oily fish or avocado) and calcium are particularly needed for healthy nails. You could consider a hair, skin and nails supplement if you keep having problems - Holland & Barratt do one that's meant to be quite good.

Think my diet is ok, I dont eat fish or avocado (dont like them) but I take Omega 3,6 and 9 every day.
I do use olive oil a lot and I love milk, cheese etc so maybe I need a supplement,
Thankyou

Fire_Fox

harrys_nan wrote: »

Think my diet is ok, I dont eat fish or avocado (dont like them) but I take Omega 3,6 and 9 every day.
I do use olive oil a lot and I love milk, cheese etc so maybe I need a supplement,
Thankyou

Switch to a long chain omega-3 only and consider your intake of bioavailable vitamin D if you are not eating fish - there are links with hypothyroidism as well as dermatological conditions. You should be getting plenty of 6 and 9 from your diet, the ratio of 3 to 6 that is as important as the amount. Omega-9s are not essential, olive oil is a rich source.

You don't just need calcium for healthy nails you need a balance of a raft of vitamins and minerals - magnesium is more commonly low in the British diet than calcium and there are links with hypothyroidism IIRC, the ratio of the two is critical so please don't indiscriminately supplement you can do more harm than good. Please discuss any supplements with your consultant or a dietician.

harrys_nan

Hi Fire Fox,
I do take Vit D on advice from my Endo so thats good.
What is Long chain Omega 3 please ? I will speak to my Doctor next week re any Vitamins I should take and will see about changing my Omega capsules.
Harrys nan

Fire_Fox

harrys_nan wrote: »

Hi Fire Fox,
I do take Vit D on advice from my Endo so thats good.
What is Long chain Omega 3 please ? I will speak to my Doctor next week re any Vitamins I should take and will see about changing my Omega capsules.
Harrys nan

Long chain omega-3s are DHA and EPA and primarily found in fish body oils. If you are vegetarian the only sources are a high strength marine algae supplement (Opti-3 brand) or omega-enriched eggs (Columbus or Goldenlay brands) but these are increasingly difficult to source.

Wherever possible get your vitamins and minerals from real food not supplements, they work synergistically and in opposition so you need a balance/ mix that wholefoods provide. There are few foods that are good sources of bioavailable vitamin D but again eggs contain some, oily fish is the best by far.

Good sources of magnesium include seeds (esp. pumpkin, ground flax), certain beans or lentils (including some soy products), cocoa powder, some fish and seafood, certain dark green veg (spinach). Obviously this needs to be worked around your diet for your thyroid issues as not all these foods will work for you.

Is there no way you can retrain yourself to enjoy some oily fish or other seafood? It's a broad church taste and texture wise, I didn't eat any for many years until I got sick and was forced to sort out my diet/ lifestyle, absolutely adore trout and enjoy mackerel too now which is a huge step up from gagging the first time I opened a can of pink salmon. Some fish is a good source of iodine, magnesium, omega-3s, vitamin D, iron and selenium all nutrients that may be of benefit.

SimonAndJane_2

My nails are always breaking and splitting. Very annoying!

redfragglebiker

I use LUSH lemony flutter to keep my nails and hands hydrated. Granted the tub is bit procey but you need so little it lasts for AGES! I then use Essie Millionails as a basecoat before applying polish or on its own if I'm not wearing any polish and it seems to have helped. My nails are now lovely, long and strong and although they do occasionally peel it's only at the very tip and uisually when they've got a bit too long so I just file it out. HTH

faerielight

I have splitting weak nails too and my thyroid is underactive.. there is a link!