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How do I fix weak and splitting nails?!

3 replies

Mrsjohnsmith · 20/03/2025 16:52

A year ago I had anaemia and this seemed to coincide with my nails becoming very thin, weak and bendy. The anaemia only lasted a couple of months, and recent blood counts have showed all my levels as normal, but my nails are still in terrible condition. They’re so thin and the top layer peels away to make them thinner still, then they break and I have to file them super short. I want lovely long strong nails to paint! I can’t even peel stickers or sellotape without them bending.

I'm a healthy weight, don’t drink or smoke, and have a protein rich diet with a lot of cooking from scratch, so nutritionally good I think. I’ve been taking collagen and hair/nail supplements for the past year, with no change. I don’t paint my nails, I moisturise my hands regularly, I’ve tried rubbing in cuticle oil and nail nourishing oil, and I’ve tried strengthening/growing nail varnishes. Nothing is working - does anyone have any advice or methods I haven’t tried yet? It seems totally frivolous to go to the GP for weak nails, and I can’t see anything I’m deficient in on my blood counts…. I’d love to find the solution!!

OP posts:
Specialkp · 20/03/2025 16:58

No advice sorry, but I’m going to follow this as I have almost exactly the same problem! I’m not sure if it’s past anaemia related though. Mine have never been so bad and I can’t grow them at all as they split and become paper thin as you said. I’ve also got one nail with two tiny ‘lines’ down it and my nails split vertically down them if I slightly catch them!
I feel your pain!

OdeToBarney · 20/03/2025 17:46

You may not be anaemic anymore, but what is your ferritin level? Mine was just on the border with normal (I wasn't anaemic) and my nails were just like yours. I've been taken iron tablets for about a year now and the difference is huge! My nails are lovely and strong and it's rare for me to break one. The other thing to check is your folate levels.

Mrsjohnsmith · 20/03/2025 19:49

My red cell count was good on my last blood test so I think that would indicate good ferritin levels? The skin/hair/nails supplement I’ve been taking includes the RDI of iron and B vitamins, so I’ve assumed I’m hitting all these targets? I’ve just been using Asda’s own, I figured all the brands have the same basic ingredients, or would I better going for a bigger brand name like Perfectil?

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