Nails - is it all down to moisture?

[ArlenesWoodBurningStove]

My nails are brittle and the worst two are also ridged and flake easily. I don't find those protein strengtheners that you add daily for a week then take off really do anything. I'm starting to wonder whether they just seal the nails away and no moisture gets to them?

Would slathering them in something gloopy like Dr Lipp be a better bet?

Bog standard hand creams aren't doing anything either.

Folic avid

I take a multi vitamin with 200% RDA of folic acid, surely I shouldn't be taking more than that?

I’m also usually underwhelmed by hand creams but this is quite good.
www.boots.com/la-roche-posay-cicaplast-hands-50ml-10237661

My nails are growing for first time in years and no hangnails

Have you had your thyroid and b12 checked OP? I would do that if not. Also take Biotin, if you don't already.

Protein is important in nail health.

Lemony flutter from Lush. It's an actual miracle cream. It strengthens my nails and also helps with sore bits round my nails that I pick when I'm anxious. It can be used on elbows and heels too. I also used it as a lip balm and on my nose the other week when I was loaded with the cold.

No, I haven't had my thyroid or B12 checked. I don't have dry thinning hair, which I thought was part and parcel of thyroid problems. I've been eating pretty badly though, and trying to assuage the guilt with a good multi-vit.

Will look at biotin. Thanks for the handcream suggestions too.

I used to have very brittle, flakey nails.

I no longer eat gluten, I eat broccoli every single day, and I drink 1.5 - 2 litres of water (on top of green tea and herbal tea). I no longer use any soaps/shampoos/shower gels with SLS in them. I used to use an extraordinary amount of hand cream and now I don't use any.

My nails are hard as rock now. I'm not sure if any of those things listed above have had an impact, it might be coincidence.

Don’t have any suggestions but just wanted to come on and say my nails are the exact same and it’s psoriasis.

Hhm. I don't do lots of washing up etc, but I do have a bath every day rather than a shower, so I suppose my nails are submerged in hot soapy water. Pretty sure my shampoo is SLS free, but we do use bar soap, which maybe is bit more hardcore than handwash.

I could definitely drink more water, I'm crap at that.

Do you have psoriasis anywhere else, Stevie? I don't think I'd know what nail psoriasis would look like, and I don't have any other skin problems.

@ArlenesWoodBurningStove, yes I have it on my scalp, knees and elbows. Had it all for years but it has just started on my nails. They’re now really brittle and break easily plus I have ridges all over my middle nails. Sometimes I can peel a little bit of the top layer off.

Cuticle oil? I use daily and massage into my nails

A handful of Haribo jelly sweets or similar will work wonders, my nails have never been stronger or grown so quickly.
Try rubbing oil into cuticles and nails every night, I use olive oil but any will do. Gives a lovely sheen too!

I think the answer is never to use false nails or whatever and never to use paint-on stuff to “improve” them. Let them be and your nails will recover naturally or never get into a state in the first place.

I use a leighton denny crystal nail file and this stop nails from peeling or flaking

Bar soap is better than liquid 'soaps' as they normally have SLS in them. Even stuff for babies/ sensitive skin has SLS in it.

I think I'm getting more easily absorbed calcium from the broccoli. I'm not a big dairy person apart from butter. I'd imagine my diet was healthier and more varied in the past, but my nails were still crap. I don't eat gluten now because DS can't and it's a pain having any in the house (cross contamination is a big issue) but sometimes I wonder if I'm intolerant to it and therefore I wasn't absorbing nutrients properly. I did have to get B12 shots recently but being low in that hadn't affected my nails at all.

Thanks everyone! I had no idea those fancy glass files existed.

I think I'm going to go for a multi plan of attack: greasy gloop to keep them moist, a glass file, drink more water and eat Haribos.

Rhe leighton denny ones are better than cheaper ones. Have in boots. Theyre fab

I have an underactive thyroid and flaky nails, luckily my hair has remained thick. Might be worth getting a test

My relative swears on eating a cube of jelly every morning. Iv never seen anyone with longer or stronger nails than those! Last time I saw them they were probably at least a couple of inches or more long.

120 Tablets 10,000mcg Biotin tablets are £4.49 on eBay.

Take 1 a day and expect to see a noticeable improvement in your nails within 2- 3 weeks, just in time for the festive season.