Ask Dr. Gott » brittle nails

Ridged nails have many causes

Dr. Gott — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 05:01:27 +0000

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have horizontal ripples, bumps and concaves on my index-finger nail and thumbnail. My index finger has had the problem for years, the thumbnail for about six weeks. And other nails have been changing. I’ve gone to too many doctors to count, and there are still no visible changes or solutions. Any inkling would be appreciated.

DEAR READER: Ridged nails are often an indication of a vitamin or mineral deficiency, poor diet, the aging process or a loss of moisture. Shortages of A, B, iron, protein and calcium are commonly detected. Horizontal ridges have been linked to heart conditions, diabetes, kidney disorders and respiratory disease.

As we age, the nails don’t always receive adequate moisture. If your diet is adequate, consider drinking more water each day and rub castor or olive oil onto your nails periodically.

Daily Column

Dr. Gott — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:00:01 +0000

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have been following your readers comments on ridged, brittle fingernails. I have had soft, easily breakable fingernails with white flecks under them my whole life. I recently started drinking two ounces of 100% pomegranate juice because it is supposedly full of antioxidants and other good stuff. Within a short time, I noticed that my nails became strong and smooth and that the white flecks were gone.

I was amazed at the improvement and wanted to share this with your readers in the hopes that it will help them too. Just be sure that the juice is 100% pomegranate juice, not one of those mixes that contains only a small amount of it.

DEAR READER:
Thank you for writing to inform me and my readers of another remedy for brittle nails. This seems to be a wide-spread problem, especially for older women. Another successful remedy is Knox gelatin drink mix which was specially designed for weak, brittle nails.

Daily Column

Dr. Gott — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:00:10 +0000

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I have a problem with split fingernails and don’t know what to do for treatment. The peculiar thing is, my nails split vertically. Can you advise me what the problem is and what I should do about it?

DEAR READER:
Lack of essential fatty acids such as an omega 3 deficiency, can cause brittle nails that split. Other than this unlikelihood, it appears to me that you probably have a form of nail disease or a nail disorder in one of the more than 20 possible forms.

Onychorrhexis is one such form causing brittle nails that peel, have vertical ridges and often split in a vertical manner. While the condition can be hereditary, a common cause is the use of strong cleaning solutions in the home or workplace. Oil or paraffin treatments can be used to soften and re-hydrate nail plates, but a physician should be consulted to confirm my suspected diagnosis. If necessary, he or she can refer you to an appropriate specialist in your area.