Not hair related but still alopecia related - I have spent awhile looking at my nails today, all ridges and flaky, I debate often about getting some expensive 'nail hardener' stuff from the shops, but then think is it just a ploy to spend more money.

I also heard that fake nails help real nails to grow as they don't get knocked, yet I also hear fake nails can ruin real nails. Do I stop covering them in nail varnish to recover? Yet colouring them helps me add to me feeling more female. Do I just need more vitamins of some sort that the alopecia is making me lack? Do I need to bring this up with a doctor? So many questions over my nails...

Views: 369

Comment by KFlame on February 13, 2012 at 12:52pm
Don't know if anyone else has ever noticed some months the nails grow stronger then other times? Like right now apart from ridges and flakes they are sort of growing fairly strong maybe I should use this blog as a nail time line 13th feb 5 reasonably strong nails growing to a decent length... Also noticed tends to be the outside 2-3
Guess I am just looking at patterns in growth :)
Comment by JeffreySF on February 13, 2012 at 8:57pm

I use a supplement called Biotin. It says it supports the growth of skin, hair and nails as well as carbohydrate metabolism. I get mine at the local drug store
BTW My nails are super strong.
Jeffrey

Comment by Gord Simpson on February 17, 2012 at 3:57am

I have had problems with my nails on and off for most of my Alopecia career, especially my thumbs. I found a three sided nail buffer that really works to smooth out the ridges so I don't wind up catching them on something. Not to mention its kind of relaxing, AND if you use the smoothest side of the buffer for a longer period of time, it'll make your nails really shiny and girly....I found out the hard way, I put on a movie and kinda forgot that I was using it and all the chicks at work asked me if I got my nails done.

Comment by ShoCorona on February 17, 2012 at 5:55am

My nails were all ridged when my alopecia journey began in July 2011. Since then I have been taking kelp tablets and a strong multi vitamin and they are now all back to normal :)

Comment by Alliegator on February 17, 2012 at 10:27am

I have been thinking about those same questions this week! I have a bad problem with my nails being flaky/splitting. I agree with Gord Simpson... it is worse with my thumb nails. I have to keep them really short, and I want to have long pretty nails.

Comment by Dana on February 17, 2012 at 11:29pm
My nails are terrible too and I have to keep them short I think I will try biotin I've heard that before on here and I've yet to get it. I used to use this nail polish from Dior it's light pink in color and it's a ridge filler it makes the surface look better I'm not sure if they still make it but it worked for sleek cover.
Comment by Teri C on February 18, 2012 at 8:29pm

My ring fingers are the worst. Paper thin and ridgy. When I was loosing my hair it was the worst. I get a nail stregthener at the beauty supply. cost about 10.00 but well worth it. I apply it weekly. When my nails have to be cut super short, I put crazy glue on the tips and then buff smooth then apply strengthener. (it stays on till you buff it off or cut the nail!)At least it allows the nail to grow alittle so it doesn't hurt so much. I am also trying BioSil from GNC. Havent been taking it long enough to know yet but I hope it works!

Comment by KFlame on February 19, 2012 at 4:26am
The more I read here the more my crazy doctor makes sense. He advised me to following, multi B vitimin tablets, zinc tablets and 10 harribo a day ESP Golden Bears and this was from a doctor at the hospital he made me laugh so much that day...
Biotin is just vitamin B complex and kelp well that's for thyroid err chemicals well had that tested and that's all ok... So maybe I need to go back down the sweet/candy store for them harribo (gelatin related)
Comment by Mar S on February 21, 2012 at 5:49pm

I take Biotin (5 mg) each day (thank you JeffreySF!) My nails were literally falling off the nail beds and I was getting corticosteroid shots in my nail beds. While that helped, the Biotin is what really strengthened them. I've stopped the shots over a year ago, and the nails are very strong and look normal again. Didn't do anything to regrow the hair, but the nails are great.

Comment by Mike Staffieri RHN on February 21, 2012 at 7:41pm

I second the high dose biotin

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