Fingernails are frustrating me :-/

I used to journal/blog all the time a few years ago. I always found it therapeutic, so hopefully this will be the first of many on here :-)

For the last 15 years I've reluctantly gotten used to having no hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, etc. However, in the last year my fingernails decided to join the party. They used to get white spots on them every so often, but last year the nails started separating. Now I have sections of my nails that are gone and wont grow back. Whenever something tries to grow, it ends up looking like that dead, white color, eventually breaking off.

I'm lucky I can get away with no hair, and my glasses tend to hide my lack of eyebrows and eyelashes. However, having my nails look like this is very embarrassing. I have no idea what to do about it. I was told to take Biotin supplements to see if that would help. It started to work after the 3rd month, but then my face started breaking out with acne. I'd rather not ruin my complexion just for fingernails :-(

I wonder if anyone has any suggestions. Its very apparent to me I have a severe form of Alopecia. I just wonder how much worse its going to get...I'm not even 30 yet!

Views: 20

Comment by JeffreySF on March 18, 2010 at 3:11am
I use Biotin 5mg daily. I havent had any problems and my nails are like steel!

Good luck
Comment by Maruf Hussain on March 18, 2010 at 8:04am
How long did it take for your nails to improve after taking it? Was it a couple of months? Maybe I let myself get discouraged too soon! I'm glad to hear you've had success with it :-)
Comment by Connie - Chris' Mom on March 18, 2010 at 11:44am
My son is 15 and while he was losing all of his hair, he lost all of his fingernails and toenails too. He was on 2500mcg of Biotin for 6 months with little change, but when we increased it to 5000mcg and added a B-Complex his nails grew back within 2 months. It might be a coincidence, but it's worth a try. Now if I can find something to get his hair to grow back I'll be real happy.
Comment by JeffreySF on March 18, 2010 at 11:52am
I never had a problem with the nails. I started taking it because it is supposed to help support the growth of skin, hair and nails. I can tell you my nails are stornger than ever. Keep using it it cant hurt and might help.
Good Luck!
Comment by yasmin on March 19, 2010 at 8:46am
I had problem with my fingernails. I have used Bioin for 3 months. It has stopped the separating.
Comment by Neil on March 19, 2010 at 9:27am
This may or may not be related to your alopecia but I have read of what is happening to your nails as being caused by a fungal infection of the nail bed. I know it may sound gross but it's just one of the many things that everyone is susceptible to. I had an aunt that died from a fungal infection in her lungs. I don't know what kind of doctor you would see for this but I would start with an image search in google.
Comment by Roger on March 19, 2010 at 1:18pm
Whats Bioin? How do you take it? Capsels?
Comment by Maruf Hussain on March 19, 2010 at 1:27pm
Thanks for all the responses everyone! This is very helpful. I might try the combo of B-complex and a stronger dose of Biotin. However, I didn't even think about it being a fungus either...hmmm :-(

and yep, its a capsule :-) Biotin is in the multi-vitamin section of a store. I think it recommends taking one with food in your stomach.

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