Flaky Fingernails

[Maydup]

My fingernails are chipping very easily at the moment. They are all cut back to nothing as they have torn so badly. Other than the thumb nail, they feel thin and flaky. What can. i do to strengthen them.

[delboy3]

Drink lots of milk - you need more calcium

[ubasses]

I am afraid I am no help but I shall follow this thread with interest, I am in exactly the same boat.

[Maydup]

Mmmm, just as I feared. I'm not keen on milk and am trying to cut down on cheese. Maybe I should look for a Calcium supplement? Off to google.

[ubasses]

As someone who cannot drink milk I am already taking 600mg calcium daily but unfortunately it has not made any difference.

[Maydup]

They've never been like this ubasses. Maybe its the gardening that's done it!

[ubasses]

I think to a certain extent you are right Maydup, mine always get worse when I am gardening. I get fed up when I go out with friends with lovely nails and they have been gardening as well. I always wear gardening gloves as well.

[237SJ]

I have flakey nails as well (particularly on the thumbs) and I heard about OPI nail oil so I went along to Boots to have a look. It was expensive and I had a "I'm not paying that" moment. I looked at the details on the back and saw that it is avocado oil so I went next door to Waitrose and bought a big bottle of it for a fiver. I brush it on at night and it does seem to help a little.

[Maydup]

Sounds good 237sj, i might try that or some olive oil. A few non commercial suggestions here worth a read.

http://aboutnails.info/flaky-nails-causes-and%C2%A0treatment/

[losgigs]

Have had the same problem for years and am desperate to find a solution. Interested in the avocado oil treatment. Where in Waitrose do you find it 237SJ - health & beauty?

[237SJ]

Losgigs - in the food section lol. It's good on salads and I think OPI use it is because of the vitamin E content. Maybe I'll try slapping some on my face as well :)

[ubasses]

Interesting link, my diet seems OK apart from the fish, I have been using the OPI oil for ages now with no effect. I have a tub of dead sea salt crystals perhaps I will try the soaking and look for the avocado oil next time I am near a Waitrose.

[Maydup]

Thanks for the tip off, I shall avoid the OPI oil if its expensive and ineffective.

MY diet is good too, although i avoid milk I do eat milk products and lots of plain yoghurt. I might try some extra cuticle cream and either the olive or avocado oil applied over night.

[Purple_Popple]

I have heard that eating a cube of raw jelly each day will help to strengthen nails and hair.

[roopower]

Hope you pick this up. I had the same problem, I went to a pamper evening and the young lady doing manicures suggested evening primrose oil. I bought the cheapest capsules I could find, broke one open and rubbed the oil into my nails every day for several weeks. It,s rather messy but for me it worked. It could be worth a try.

[Gowergirl]

I had the same problem.I'm using Boots,Calcium,Magnesium & Vitamin D tablets.It's taken 6 months,but my nails are so much better

[boxtops]

I have this problem too, but mine's not all the time. I get good nails for a few weeks, then flaky and splitting for the next few weeks. Most odd.

[Maydup]

Thanks all, I have picked up your suggestions. Last night I gently buffed my nails and rubbed in plenty of good quality hand and nail cream - being all I had at the time and today they feel a little better already.

I haven't been gardening or cleaning today so maybe they have enjoyed the rest too! Like you Boxtops, its not all the time so maybe I just need to take more care of them.

Its seems clear from all your suggestions that I need an oil treatment of one kind or another and maybe a vitamin calcium supplement. That's my mission now for tomorrow's lunch hour.

[chattykathy]

I have the same problem and a beautician recommended this product.

http://www.bodycare2000.com/s/c/p/nailtiques_protein_formula_2_18oz,_4ml.asp?utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=ProductSearch&gclid=CMaRiaKNoL8CFUjlwgod7QwAnw

You paint it in for 5 days , take it off and start again. I t made a big difference to my nails.

[Maydup]

Thanks Kathy, I'll have a look at that too.