General Chat

Help!!! Last few weeks my nails have been dreadful!! Splitting right across the top, now down to nothing!! Anyone know of a treatment that works? :0( Joan

oh yes please, mine also plus horrible ridges. Vonny

I just googled there is lots on it. Marion

Hey Vonny it's help I want!! Queue here hun !! lol Gwynne, um think i'll give that a miss then! Marion, don't think I fancy Gwynne's idea, anyone got a no-pong version?? lol Do jelly cubes still work?? That's what I used to use!! At least there are sugar free ones these days!! :0S Joan

It can be diet - my sister has had candida for years and her nails split down the middle as well as across and she has ridges - she also has other probs relating to candida - wheat can be the problem l believe among other things. Look candida up on the net. Good luck:o) jude sarf wales

Hi, My nails were awful, soft and they peeled!! But since I have been drinking a can of slimfast for breakfast (cant stomach food first thing in the morning) my nails are so hard.. to the point I had to soak them to cut them down this week as they had become so long.. My mother in law was in shock when she saw how nice they looked at Christmas.. So I put it down to the calcium and vitamins (im a veggie who hates milk!!) Debs x

Joan, I'm in the Q behind you :) Why do I never think to google? Onychoschizia or splitting of the fingernails is one of the most common problems that the dermatologist sees. The term onychoschizia includes splitting, frail, soft or thin nails and nails with ridges. Onychoschizia is more common in women. II. Causes: Repetitive and prolonged wetting and drying of the fingernails is the single most common cause of splitting and ridging of the nails. Splitting of the nails is rarely caused by internal disease or vitamin deficiency. Nail polish remover causes onychoschizia. Trauma to the fingers contributes to onychoschizia. 1II. Treatment: The best treatment is to avoid repeated wetting and drying of the nails. Try to wear cotton lined rubber gloves when performing household chores that involve getting the hands wet. Rub lotions containing alpha-hydroxy acids such as Neostrata or lanolin containing lotions such as Elon into the nails both before and after getting the hands wet. Watch people who have beautiful nails. Notice how they use their hands or finger pads to do simple chores rather than use their nails. Never dial a phone with the nail tips; use a pencil. Nails should never be used as tools. Get in the habit of using your fingers as if they have wet polish on them. If you can’t avoid trauma to the nail tips, keep the nails cut short. Always wear gloves during cold weather and when you do chores which may traumatize the nail tips. Never peel or scrape off nail polish. Shape and file the nails with a very fine file and round the tips in a gentle curve. Daily filing of snags or irregularities helps to prevent further breakage or splitting. Never use metal instruments on the nail surface to push back the cuticle because this scrapes away the microscopic protective cells of the nail surface. When (and if) the nails are 'buffed,' do this in the same direction as the nail grows and not in a 'back and forth' motion because this can cause nail splitting. Nail polish can protect the nail surface. The almost daily application of a 'top coat' will keep the nail tips protected. Nail polishes with nylon fibers in them may add strength and protection to fragile nails. Use nail polish remover as infrequently as possible because it dries out the nails. One study has shown that biotin (a vitamin) 2.5 mg a day taken by mouth is beneficial. Do not do this if you are pregnant. Some patients are convinced that one pack of Knox Gelatin mixed with orange juice and taken by mouth each day will restore nails to a youthful state. There is no scientific data that supports the use of unflavored gelatin to strengthen nails. Taking colloidal minerals and a multivitamin each day has been shown to increase the speed of nail growth which in turn leads to healthier nails.

Deb, Is slimfast a soy product then??

Hi Joan I was just going to tell you the same as Yvonne LOL:)))))) Chrissie xx

Mine were the same.. get a nice set of overlays done..by the time you've finished bying different varnishes and vitamins you'd have spent a small fortune anyway.. you can usually get them done for around £15-£20, then either have them filled when your nails grow, or have them soaked off when you've had enough!! xxx

Kelp....take every day and is great for nails and hair....BC XX

Isn't that like seawee BC? Don't fancy walking on the beach chewing seaweed lol:))

Alright - I've spotted the slip - not going to change it 'cos it looks funny:))

Yvonne, No its milk!!! But... If I dont look at the can and drink it through a straw fast, and not think about it then I can drink it!! If that makes sense? Best go have to get to work and its a trawl through traffic at this time, 25 miles = 1hr 10 mins!! Debs x

Lol Christtie...it is in tablet form! Come to think of it my Grandma used to take us on the beach to collect a particular kind of seaweed, carrageen I think it was called, then took it home and made the most gorgeous blancmancge of it. hmmm maybe that is why I have long flowing locks! lol BC

Hope Grandma washed it well first. Just think what everybody does in the sea lol:))

Debs, I might look into Slimfast then as I already buy their protein bars for hubby. have a nice day Vonnyxxx

You have seawee on the brain today, Chrissie!! lol BC

Ok BC, I might look into kelp tablets also :) But I'm never going to eat blankmange (see food dislikes thread :) Vonny

Have been taking Kelp for a few weeks and it really seems to work, Vonny! Ahhh but my Grandma's blancmange was like no other:-) lol BC