Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Onycholysis Nails

25 replies

TopSec · 12/07/2023 09:08

With the huge font of knowledge from all you S&B MN's, I wonder if any of you can help. I have 4 nails that suffer from Onycholysis and have tried everything under the sun (that I know of) from over the counter treatments to Old Wive's tales (Vic's Vapour Rub / Vaseline for instance) to no available. I have cut them right back (albeit not all the way) but the new nail still does not seem to attach when growing. This is showing around in around a third of the nail. Just in case anyone does not know what this is, I will attempt to attach a photograph (library photograph, not my own nails). This has been going on for around 18 months / 2 years now.

Have any of you suffered with this and if so, what was the cure (if indeed it has been cured).

Many thanks in advance for any advice

Onycholysis Nails
OP posts:
TopSec · 13/07/2023 14:00

Just bumping this up. Thank you

OP posts:
17Degrees · 13/07/2023 14:13

I had this on a few nails last year, lasted for about 6 months. I didn't know what it was called but I just kept cutting my nails really short and eventually it went. Sorry that's not much help as you've had it much longer. I've no idea why it happened and I didn't do anything to treat it. Hope this bumps for anyone who can actually help!

TopSec · 13/07/2023 15:52

17Degrees · 13/07/2023 14:13

I had this on a few nails last year, lasted for about 6 months. I didn't know what it was called but I just kept cutting my nails really short and eventually it went. Sorry that's not much help as you've had it much longer. I've no idea why it happened and I didn't do anything to treat it. Hope this bumps for anyone who can actually help!

Thank you @17Degrees. Let' hope mine (eventually) disappear like yours did

OP posts:
Ohmylordnotagain · 13/07/2023 16:01

@TopSec Im not a nail tech but a massage therapist but I have looked at sime professional nail tech facebook sites.
Consensus seems to be it could be due to thyroid problems, medications (especially heart meds) damage to nail bed, damage from overuse of gel/acrylics very dry nails. so trip to gp needed.
Treatment is (once gp has ruled out anything serious cut very short, keep short no polish, gels etc. cuticle oil dailyit should hopefully grow out over time.

TopSec · 14/07/2023 08:36

Ohmylordnotagain · 13/07/2023 16:01

@TopSec Im not a nail tech but a massage therapist but I have looked at sime professional nail tech facebook sites.
Consensus seems to be it could be due to thyroid problems, medications (especially heart meds) damage to nail bed, damage from overuse of gel/acrylics very dry nails. so trip to gp needed.
Treatment is (once gp has ruled out anything serious cut very short, keep short no polish, gels etc. cuticle oil dailyit should hopefully grow out over time.

Thank you @Ohmylordnotagain that's really interesting. I have tried the oil before but will mention this next time I am at the Docs (have to go soon to renew my HRT prescription). My sister has thyroid problems so won't dismiss that out of hand. Thank you again.

OP posts:
What3words · 14/07/2023 08:37

I was given en an awful tablet for a few months to get rid of mine. Nothing else worked. Mine wasn't due to false nails or anything though (you'd hope that would self resolve with care.)

TopSec · 14/07/2023 08:40

What3words · 14/07/2023 08:37

I was given en an awful tablet for a few months to get rid of mine. Nothing else worked. Mine wasn't due to false nails or anything though (you'd hope that would self resolve with care.)

Thank you @What3words. Fingers crossed the doctor will give me an awful tablet for a few months. I would happily take them to get rid of this :) I did wear gel nails for years but stopped about 2 years ago because of this. I would have thought that if they were going to grow out they would have done by now. Lets see what the Doc says. Thanks again

OP posts:
What3words · 14/07/2023 08:44

It's called terbafine (like the cream) but I was told cream can't really penetrate nails so it needs to be taken orally.

It had side effects (made me very anxious, felt sick, tired... etc) but did work!

TopSec · 14/07/2023 11:35

What3words · 14/07/2023 08:44

It's called terbafine (like the cream) but I was told cream can't really penetrate nails so it needs to be taken orally.

It had side effects (made me very anxious, felt sick, tired... etc) but did work!

Mmmm, maybe I'll live with them then if they don't cure themselves :)

OP posts:
HelloFreshed · 14/07/2023 11:36

I’m a nail tech..

May I ask if you have ever had gel polish on your nails? And if so, what brand?

TopSec · 14/07/2023 13:06

HelloFreshed · 14/07/2023 11:36

I’m a nail tech..

May I ask if you have ever had gel polish on your nails? And if so, what brand?

Hi @HelloFreshed I wore gel nails for quite a few years and then stopped during lockdown when I noticed this problem. Unfortunately I have no idea what the brand was, sorry.

OP posts:
HelloFreshed · 14/07/2023 13:10

TopSec · 14/07/2023 13:06

Hi @HelloFreshed I wore gel nails for quite a few years and then stopped during lockdown when I noticed this problem. Unfortunately I have no idea what the brand was, sorry.

Was it in a white bottle?

have your nails been like this since having gels or did they just appear this way in recent months?

TopSec · 14/07/2023 13:15

HelloFreshed · 14/07/2023 13:10

Was it in a white bottle?

have your nails been like this since having gels or did they just appear this way in recent months?

No, they were in a silver jar - and she sometimes mixed her own colours for her clients (thanks pinterest :)) I never noticed this when I was wearing the Gel Nails only when I stopped using it and got back to my original nails during lockdown. All other nails (other than these 4 have been fine and are back to their normal colour and strength - just the both little fingers and both ring fingers. Someone said that maybe its because I still work full time as a PA and am continually using a keyboard - trauma????? Maybe time to retire :)

OP posts:
HelloFreshed · 14/07/2023 13:18

It could be trauma by tapping on a keyboard but I’ve never seen trauma like this on caused by tapping in my 20 years of doing nails.

HelloFreshed · 14/07/2023 13:19

I think you may need to see the GP and ask they to have the nail clippings examined in the lab as a big part of me is thinking this is either fungal.

if not, do you have psoriasis? Or eczema?

TopSec · 14/07/2023 14:28

HelloFreshed · 14/07/2023 13:19

I think you may need to see the GP and ask they to have the nail clippings examined in the lab as a big part of me is thinking this is either fungal.

if not, do you have psoriasis? Or eczema?

Thank you again @HelloFreshed. Yes will mention it to the Dr when I am there in the next week. Funnily enough I was recently in Cyprus and a friend of mine who lives out there had the same thing last year. A beautician friend of hers said that it could be Psoriasis and recommended her using - of all things - a babies cradle cap cream, which she did and it worked.😯I do not have any eczema or psoriasis so really not sure. Anyway, thank you again for taking time to try to help. I will update this when (and if) I get some resolution.

OP posts:
happychristmoose · 05/08/2023 07:14

I have this, also originally triggered by gel polish manicures.
I had gel polish on my nails for probably a year or so and my nails have never been the same.
For me, the separation does grow out with the nail and only seems to rear it's head if I use nail polish/false nails/gel, so I have come to the conclusion that it is an allergic reaction in my case.
I feel quite sad about it because I love to have fancy nails, although I appreciate in the scheme of things there are much worse afflictions.
I recently glued on some press on nails and now four if my fingers are affected.
I am wondering if some of the new nail polishes with reduced chemicals (advertised as 21 free/breathable) would be tolerated by my nails and may try one of these when my nails have had a break for a while.

FergusSingsTheBIues · 05/08/2023 07:16

I have this and it’s nail psoriasis.

have you got psoriasis?

TopSec · 07/08/2023 09:30

FergusSingsTheBIues · 05/08/2023 07:16

I have this and it’s nail psoriasis.

have you got psoriasis?

No I don't but I have heard that you can get this just on your nails. I am at the Drs for other reasons on the 16th so will speak to them then. Thank you

OP posts:
happychristmoose · 19/08/2023 11:54

@TopSec did you ask the doctor about your nails?

TopSec · 20/08/2023 12:36

Hi. Yes I did but she didn’t think it was psoriasis but a fungal infection. I’m not sure as I’ve tried fungal treatment for a long time. I have bought some cream for psoriasis and am using that at the moment. If this works I will let you know. Thank you for coming back to me x

OP posts:
Mumra22 · 14/03/2024 21:38

Hi I hope you can help. I'm wondering if you still have the same problem with your nails. I'm devastated as its been 2 years now with my ring finger nail like this. It grows but keeps coming off the nail bed nearly all the way up. I'm guessing its permanently damaged now but maybe you can give me hope if your nails improved. Thank you xx💜

TopSec · 18/03/2024 13:31

Mumra22 · 14/03/2024 21:38

Hi I hope you can help. I'm wondering if you still have the same problem with your nails. I'm devastated as its been 2 years now with my ring finger nail like this. It grows but keeps coming off the nail bed nearly all the way up. I'm guessing its permanently damaged now but maybe you can give me hope if your nails improved. Thank you xx💜

Hi Mumra22 and apologies for the delay. Well my has not been cured - yet - but seems to be on the mend. Went to another Dr and he said it was Psoriasis and the reason why it wasn't going away or, at times, was worse, was because it was being treated as a fungus when it wasn't. I am now using the correct cream and it does seem to be getting better but I do believe it will take 6-9 months because they grow so slow when they have this condition, compared to my other nails (it has only affected my little and next finger on each hand which is quite bizarre). I too have struggled for about 2 years with this so don't give up. The Dr I saw last time is the only one that took cuttings of my nail so I am waiting for those results.

I hope that helps.

OP posts:
Mumra22 · 18/03/2024 15:09

Thank you so much for your reply. I just got a phonecard from my doctor today and they won't refer me. They feel my nail is permanent damage. I am gutted. But I am delighted ypu are seeing improvements in your own and they can treat it. Mine is from over filing I think from a nail salon 😞 It's only on my ring finger. Gutted.

Ultragreen · 18/03/2024 16:48

I have had this (psoriatic nails) for 15 years, started out with a couple of finger nails then spread even to my big toes. I never had gel or acrylic nails. It's not a fungal infection it's psoriatic nails. You can have both issues at the same time or either one.

I have chronic nutritional deficiencies and my nails started lifting after a period of intense stress over a couple of years. When i eat well and take my supplements my nails are stronger and grow faster which grows out that white tide on my nails but as soon as there is any nail overhang, the slightest bump leads to lifting again. So all i work on is to have a normal looking full nail bed which mean my nails need to be kept very short so the nailbed grows and stays attached as the minute my nail catches on something my body overreacts and produces too much keratin that lifts the nail. This is an auto immune or inflammatory issue. My thyroid is fine but I am low in iron, vit d, b12 and zinc. I have mild eczema and scalp psoriasis. I also have an auto inflammatory skin disease called HS. So clearly my skin isn't happy and immunity fucked. Puberty saw HS and scalp to flare up then giving birth and breastfeesing saw me get nail psoriasis so maybe there is a hormonal issue or intense stress which i also had at those times.

Just be aware that psoriatic nails can be a sign of psoriatic arthritis.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page