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I guess I have become more aware of this with aging. Aging seems to be the most talked about reason and RA too. I did come up with low RA factor in bloodwork a few yrs ago.. Primary issues for me are OA.
My nails have always been brittle, so back in my working days I had a standing every 2 week appointment for acrylic nails. After I stopped working I stopped the "money pit" of artificial nails and my real nails were so thin and brittle I thought they'd never recover. I also have cuticles that grow like crazy, which makes my nails look bad as well.
Fast forward to now, for years I have had vertical ridges which make my nails split and peel. So I try to keep a ridge filler on them and keep the cuticles properly moisturized. Forget it, an hour later they are dry and rough again.
I read about and added the vitamin Biotin (for hair, skin and nails) to my daily intake and that seems to help at times. My hair, tho, has never been better!
I have had ridged, weak, brittle nails all my life. I think it's genetic. My dad had them, too. What helps me the most is to rub a nail cream into my cuticles and nails twice a day. It hasn't done anything for the ridges, but my nails are stronger and glossier-looking now and less prone to splitting and chipping. I use Barielle cream, which is sold at the Vermont Country Store.
I read about biotin here on C-D and have been using it for a couple of weeks.
No change so far, nails still thin and brittle.
Maybe it works for some and not for others.
NOTHING has ever changed my nails, they are thin and break off easily. I have tried it all, biotin (for years now!) gelatin, protein, calcium, minerals, etc. etc. It is just genetic. Mine also have a lot of ridges, especially now that I am older. It is what it is.
My nails have always been very hard and grow fast. I have the vertical ridges on my ring fingers only. I don't use polish most of the time. I used to, but when I'd take it off, I could feel my nails "breathing", so I just thought it might not be as healthy for me to keep them covered in polish all the time.
Mine are harder than ever and grow fast...I'm forever cutting them and filing them down. I don't like long nails. Nor polishes and I agree our nails need to breath.
My ring fingers have deeper ridges too, have no clue why...it's just what is. I guess.
I can only believe Vit D has made the difference for me.
I'm sure my mom did too, but we never discussed this. She was dealing with OA also most of her life. My smoothest nails are my index finger nails. Be glad they are gone and they can be a mystery if we think and think on this.
I read about biotin here on C-D and have been using it for a couple of weeks.
No change so far, nails still thin and brittle.
Maybe it works for some and not for others.
Fingernails only grow maybe a tenth of an inch a month...so it could be a year between when "new" nail starts in the quick to actually make it to your fingertip! You'll need to give it much longer than a couple weeks to notice anything.
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