Joann, I used Nailtiques for well over 15 years with okay results, but am now using Quimica Alemana and LOVE it! I also have a nail that wants to split vertically, the only thing that really seemed to help is having the new shellac manicures. That finally seems to have stopped it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Nail Hardener

Eat Jello,,,

I started taking sub-lingual vitamin B 12 (plus other) about two months ago. That's when my nails began to get much stronger. They are as hard as ....well, nails now!

I started the B complex for other reasons, so I wasn't looking for this benefit at all.

Nail polish will make my nails peel, so if you use polish I'd suggest giving it up. Sally Hanson used to make a "no more peeling" base coat, but I haven't seen it in some time. I don't know what to tell you about the vertical splitting.

my nails were like tissue paper for many years. I tried
a product on one of the shopping channels which was
specificallly (sp) for hair skin and nails. Fantastic
results for the last 10 years. Don't know if I am allowed to mention the manufacturer. If I can, let me know and I
will tell the name. Good luck

I used to have soft nails that cracked and tore. After starting taking Vitamin D (doctor's advice) along with calcium everyday my nails are very hard- I use 3,000 units of Vit. D plus whatever emount of calcium I get from a couple of pills plus more from food.

When the kids grew up and left home we lost our dishwashers and I had to start doing it. My nails immediately began to peel way down past the bed and they hurt!! I started using gloves but that didn't seem to help until I found Nutra Nail Growth Formula at Walgreen's. I think you can put it on twice a day but after a few weeks I went to once a day and now once every other day or so. Works great!!

A long time ago I had problems too and used DeLore nail nourishing oil and that helped a lot, too, but I couldn't find it up here where we lived. I did find it online and may order that when I run out of the Nutra Nail stuff.

I use Healthy Hoof mostly in the winter. It really works. I keep it beside my computer and use a couple times a day.

I am totally amazed at how everybody is looking for some expensive high tech pill or health food remedy..ask your doctor, If you will eat one helping of Jello two or three times a week you will not have nail problems.

Believe me, I am a retired plumber and years ago I was having all kinds of problems with my nails because we are constantly in water or harshe liquids and working under severe climatic conditions. Finally I asked my doctor what to do about it and he told me he could prescribe a number of treatments but the absolute most effective treatment is natural, just eat one helping of Jello two or three times a week. I have followed that advice for over 40 years and have always had soft pliable nails that don't split or peel.

Now if you are one who feels that you need a specific medical treatment, get some Knox Gellatin and mix one pack in a cup of warm water and drink that every other day.

I've been taking vit D, biotin, and calcium for about a year and have seen zero improvement. I too have peeling and splitting. I'm allergic to what all decent nail hardeners have in them (toluene and formaldehyde). When I apply a product with those chemicals in it, my lips blister and my eyes are encircled with a rash. I learned years ago to stay away. Fortunately a lot of nail polishes no longer include T/F in their products. But every hardener that is highly touted (many of which I have tried) have T/F. The ones that don't have T/F, simply don't work for me.

Haven't tried B12 yet and may go out and buy some Knox.

Jodi-

Yep, what Lazypup said!!! Jello works great. My problem is, I only like Jello once in a while. But, I've always had great nails. I have grown them long since late grade school. I could even help the mechanics when I worked in the service dept. at the dealership. Everyone said I'd break them. Nope. I could even weave baskets with them. I can no longer grow them as long as I did, but they are still a nice length. I have been having a problem since this spring with them splitting and chipping. I attribute it to meds. I did start some B-12 a few months ago, for another thing, and surprisingly, my nails are doing better. But Jello is still best.

Tami

It only works if one can consume it, I cannot.

I too do the vitamin B complex and take Biotin, I've seen some great results.

During the summer I am outside many hours in my garden.
I lose lots of fluids and tend to have leg cramps at night.

Someone told me to take potassium and magnesium which helps with the cramps, but a bonus was stronger, longer nails.

For the last 2 months I have not had the need for them and I notice that my nails are getting thinner and breaking more easily. Maybe that helped, maybe not.

I can testify that what Jodi said is true - I am 61 and have long natural nails. I take calcium combined with vitamin D and a biotin capsule - my nails are very strong and I haven't had any problems. I use mine for prying, digging in dirt and other jobs that should break my nails, but they don't break.

Finger nails are genetic to some degree - my mother had beautiful, natural long nails and eyelashes, too.

I have had soft nails forever. I've taken Vitamin D along with regular vitamins and a "hair skin & nails vitamin" for years. Nothing has helped my nails. I'll try the gelatin route and see if that works.

I have the same problem...drives me nuts...

they peel until they are paper thin.

patti

take a B vitamin...I take hi-potency B 50..works excellent for me..I take it Oct - April

Being
Im on dialysis were on a vitamin to put back what we lose during the treatment plus I take vit e to fight off depression from lapband surgery,My nails are beautiful.I take a vit D they say woman should to fight off breast cancer

I bought some Knox Gelatin, but it didn't say anything about nails on it, so I called the company and they said its only a food product. The other Knox was for nails. Should I just take it back or do you know how to use this gelatin?
I also purchased some diamond strenght nail hardener by Sally Hansen. I plan to use tonight. I'll let you know if it helps.

I've been told that plain gelatin (including Jello) does the trick, but haven't tried it ... and I should, as I have trouble with splitting nails.

ole joyful

Joann, just make jello with it as per the directions on the box. The Knox is just unflavored. They won't tell you that it's good for nails, just that it's a food product like they did when you called.

Tami

I take one 1000 mcg biotin pill daily, and it has helped a lot.

I don't have the nail splitting or breakage like I used to, and they even seem to grow a bit faster.

My nails are very strong when I add Omega 3 pills to my daily ritual.

I just found this article:

What Experts Say
Soaking your nails in Knox won't give you stronger nails, according to MayoClinic.Com. Nor will drinking or eating gelatin. The dietary supplement biotin, or vitamin B, may be beneficial for nail growth. However, unless you're malnourished and not receiving adequate intake of vitamins and minerals, what you put in your mouth will have no effect on your nail growth, says MayoClinic

Read more:

Here is a link that might be useful: Knox

I was a nail biter for years. I never wore polish because I was ashamed of my nails. Then at age 48 I suffered a massive hemmorragic (sp?) stroke. Apparently the nail biting part of my brain was destroyed. My nails grew in the hospital while I recovered. Ten years later I get weekly manicures, and the polish seems to protect my nails. I also take 1,000 or 2,000 units of Vitamin D3 daily. Between the two, my nails are lovely. I do wear gloves for gardening and washing dishes. Occasionally I will remove the polish and dip my fingertips in straight olive oil. Soak them 5 minutes, wipe off the residue but rub a little oil into the cuticles. My doctor thinks it's great that I treat myself to a weekly manicure!

Hello - wonderful comments.....vitamins haven't worked for me, so will try jello and olive oil...swimming in salt water and rubbing salt on meats for example will crack those nails.

And drink more water.

I'd suggest getting your thyroid checked--all three tests.

in the vitamin section of your drug store buy "Hair, Skin and Nails". There are several brands. I works for me.

Sometimes nails that peal, split etc are due to other medical conditions. Check with your Dr. first, then he/she might have suggestions. Taking too much of any vitamin or food supplement is not good and could be dangerous. I use gelatin caps, Biotin and some extra Vit D. but that is needed due to the northern tier area and lack of sun. They are good for awhile, then I just got over some illnesses so expect problems for awhile. My Dr. did check my nails and fingers for color and other things. He also knows all the meds and supplements I take and the amount.