Ridged, splitting nails and inflamed, broken nailbeds

[Julika]

I am a 59 years old woman, in good general health, married, and a mother of two grown children.  For as long as I can remember I have been suffering from dry skin and hair. For this condition I have consulted several dermatologists over the course of the past twenty years, and had been given plenty of advice, like taking brief, lukewarm showers (no baths), generally staying away from water and lubricating my skin when still moist from a shower, with various lotions, including prescription ointments such as Lac-hydrin and a preparation containing 30% urea.  In spite of my continued use of these ointments and other, over the counter ones, my nails are getting more and more ridged and fragile with the passage of the time, tending to split vertically and the nail beds are continuously inflamed with the skin around the nails peeling and shredding.  One of the dermatologists told me that my condition is due to poor circulation and there is nothing that can be done about it.  I am taking multivitamins, fish oil and calcium tablets with vitamin D, but no prescription medications.  I work out regularly in the gym, swim occasionally in the gym's swimming pool and eat a balanced diet, with plenty of fruits and vegetables.  I am not overweight and do not have high blood pressure or any other diagnosed condition. I work as a teacher and keep regular hours, with plenty of rest and a usually a good night's sleep.  I try to drink a lot, mostly tea, some coffee, some juice and water, but usually end up short of the recommended 8 glasses of water a day.  I live in the North East, with relatively mild summers and winters and spend most of my time indoors.  I am at my wit's ends with this problem.  My toenails do not bother me, ever since I managed to cure a fungal infection on my big toe about six months ago.  My feet tend to accumulate some hard skin on them, but nothing that a good pedicure cannot take care of. My body skin is usually fine, though always in need of abundant moisturizers.  My hands are a constant, and somewhat embarassing problem, since I keep my nails extremely short and the nail area is unsightly. I will supply additional information as needed.  Thank you, Julie

[nelsonchatham]

have you had your thyroid function tested?  dry skin and the nail problems are common hypo symptoms...and many women over 50 have low thyroid hormone levels.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Tough problem.  I suggest that you try Biotin (a B-vitamin available over-the-counter) 2.5 milligrams a day for 6-9 months.
I don't think circulation is likely to be involved.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff