Split finger nails

[Barry]

Is there anybody out there who suffers this same problem? Both my thumb nails have cracks running right down them as a result of working with soil. I cut the nail back to where the cut in the nail seems to originate, but whenever they grow back, it is always with the original crack.
This is an irritating problem, because the nail can often become badly torn, causing me a lot of pain! Is there anything that you can put on them to repair this damage definitively?

[lizzie]

Check it's not a calcium deficiency that you have. You can buy a hair and nail vitamin supplement which may help to strengthen them up. Also, you could try using a strong clear nail varnish. Don't know how you'd explain it to your wife though

[richard p]

try a blob of super glue on the top surface of the nail instead of nail varnish if it worries the wife

[madasafish]

I use Neutrogena handcream on hands and nials for splits. Morrisons occasionaly have it bogoff.

[Monika]

I suffered from split thumb nails for three of four years and tried all kinds of things until I found a solution which has worked for a few years now: I kept my thumb nails really, really short by filing them every night and also applied "Badger Ginger and Lemon Balm (in small round tins, available at Waitrose and health food stores) every time I washed my hands, rubbing it thoroughly into the the nail and quick. That eventually cured the split nail.

Also, if at all possible, I try to wear gloves nowadays, large size rubber gloves (from farm equipment shops) with stretchy woolly ones inside or, for more delicate jobs like pricking out, disposable surgical gloves.

My husband who worked outside for much of his working life swears by Bepanthen Cream which is actually for nappy rash!

[peter]

does superglue contain cyanide based compounds/

[Chantal]

If so there must be a medical variety of superglue as my cut knee was superglued back together at the local hospital a few years ago.

[Tigger]

Superglue is commonly used in A&E and GPs. I don't think it's a different formula, but I'll find out.

[lizzie]

I'd be interested to know what type of glue it is too. After my last surgery my 7 inch scar was internally stitched then glued instead of the usual staples. I thought it was odd to use glue on a large scar at the time.

[oldherbaceous]

Dear Lizzie, maybe they had an out of date tube of glue they needed using up, and were waiting for the right patient.

[Shallot Man]

Brought back memories of being stationed as a National Service man in Egypt in the 50s. Being detailed for a bull parade, and needing clear nail varnish to protect the shine on the toe caps of the boots, going into an Egyptian chemists and asking for two bottles of clear nail varnish, I think he thought I was AC/DC, well he made quite a fuss of me, I decamped as quickly as possible. Shallotman