The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Iodine
Posted by Jane (Houston, Texas) on 04/19/2007
★★★★★
I painted decolorized iodine on my thin and brittle fingernails. One week later they look healthy and are growing, and even the formerly dry and ragged cuticles are smooth, even without manicuring them! I saw the remedy in a newspaper column and found this wonderful website trying to check it out. The remedy is painting the nails every day for a week, then once a week thereafter. I found the iodine in the Latino cosmetics area of HEB supermarket. Next I'll work on the skin tags! Thanks so much!
Iodine
Posted by Joanne (Melbourne, Australia) on 06/29/2018
You can't unfortunately get it in Australia.. Try ebay from overseas.
Folic Acid
Posted by Mandy (Houston, Texas) on 09/14/2011
I am thinking to try this, because I too have hypothyroidism and really, REALLY want my fingernails to grow out nice and long. I do take vitamins every day!
MSM
Posted by Joanna (USA)
★★★★★
I've noticed that when I take MSM, my fingernails grow like crazy! The split cuticle issue that I have (especially in the winter) disappears in about 48 hours. I'd say it's the best remedy for the nails
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Ann (Calmar, Ia) on 02/14/2010
how much blackstrap molassess do you use? Is it mixed with water as well as the juice of half a lemon?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Judi (Seattle, Wa) on 03/02/2016
Hi, when you used apple cider vinegar tablets what was the dose?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jim (Dalton, Pa.) on 06/05/2016
I too am interested in dosage of apple vinegar tabs to combat soft fingernails. Any response would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Evelyn (North Carolina) on 06/06/2016
Just try the amount suggested on the bottle each day. Increase if needed to get results.
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by Beth (Palmyra, Nj) on 06/23/2014
★★★★★
I began taking 2 drops of Lugol's iodine daily for brittle nails. Within two weeks my nails are unbelievably strong and hard. Also, I injured one nail over thirty years ago below the growth line. Every time this nail begins to grow it, it would crack vertically. I was told there was no remedy. I now have a nail growing on that finger!! No explanation other than the iodine. I am a believer!
ACV and Coconut Oil
Posted by Mod (Toronto On) on 02/22/2015
Hi, do u mix the 2? If so how much of each. Thanks
ACV and Coconut Oil
Posted by Karen (Canada) on 03/06/2015
I am willing to try this. I'm assuming you take it by mouth. I put a teaspoon of coconut oil and 2 tsp. cider vinegar in a glass and I just drink it. I hope I see good results.
Vicks
Posted by Julie (Daly City, California) on 04/19/2014
I read somewhere about a year ago that V**ks V***rub works to kill toenail fungus. Well one day I tried it. Then I forgot about it until one day when I went to cut my toe nails and I thought, wow, is it my imagination or did that one time of rubbing the v**ks into my toe nail really work because my nails looked slightly better. So I rubbed a little on again and again forgot about it for a bit and then remembered and took a closer look. My nails looked a little better. I rubbed it on them again and the next time I checked I swear my little toe nails were looking flatter and started to look less like the fat lump of a toenail they had become. The other nails started to look like they were flattening out too...meaning they weren't growing away from the nail bed so much because of the noticeable disappearance of that substance that grows under the nail associated with the fungus. I am not diligent about applying it probably everyday like I should but I was impressed with the results after only 3 applications done at least a month apart. I am going to try and be more consistent with applying it, hopefully everyday, and see what happens but I honestly saw a difference with just those three times and had seen no difference with other over the counter type applications. I will post my results, if any, in the future but as God as my witness, I swear, there is a difference. It doesn't seem to hurt the nail or the skin and it's worth a shot and hopefully I will be posting positive results sometime soon!
Biotin
Posted by Aginto (Toronto, Ontario) on 02/07/2010
★★★★★
I've been taking a 250mg supplement of Biotin once a day for about 3 weeks before I noticed the changes in my nails! They are harder, they don't break or chip as easily. I went on vacation for 2 weeks and forgot my Biotin. Lo and behold, near the end of the 2 week vacation I had broken one nail and chipped another!
I am back on the Biotin. I've also added the de-colorized Iodine to my repertoire and will report back after a week or two. Thanks for all the great advice Earth Clinic!!!
Biotin
Posted by Pjb747 (Fenton, Mi) on 06/18/2010
I feed my horses biotin for their hooves. It takes almost a year to see real results. The hoof that forms with biotin is stronger. It can't improve existing hoof. Hooves grow out like nails do from a nail bed. I would assume that it is the same with nails but it doesn't take so long to grow a whole new nail. I think after 3-4 months on biotin, the old nail would be gone and biotin fortified nail would have grown in. I don't think being off biotin for a week or two would make a difference.
Fish Oil
Posted by DeAnna (Clarksville, TN) on 07/13/2009
★★★★★
Fish oil was recommended to me as a supplement from a personal trainer....happened to notice after a couple of weeks that my nails were actually growing and not breaking nearly as much!!! Didn't realize it had a benefit to nails also! Will definitely keep taking for my nails!
Silica
Posted by Dan (Markam, Canada) on 07/22/2008
★★★★★
Silicon is not present in large amounts, yet found in every type of tissues in the body. Silicon is used to keep bones, cartilage, tendons and artery wall healthy. It is required by the nails, hair and skin, silicon levels drop as we age. So if cartilage is not in any joint after surgery, silicon will replace it. If you want nice hair, and nails, silicon is also called silica. I take it and I have good hair and nails that look good and they are hard. If you do not have any idea where to get some, look to the internet. It has information on healthy products.
Silica
Posted by Softnails (Calgary, Ab) on 08/18/2011
For those who use Silica for nail strenthening, how long before you notice an improvement...
Thank you
Silica
Posted by Pat (Imperial Beach, Ca) on 04/03/2012
Do you swallow it or put it directly on your nails? How much of it and how often do you use it?
Silica
Posted by Sylvia (Albany, Ny, United States) on 10/03/2012
Hey guys, was checking out remedies for weak, brittle nails and came up with silica as one answer. I don't know if it works well or not, but be aware that there are some scary side effects. Look into it thoroughly before using!!!
Iodine
Posted by Smdoulos (Syracuse, Ny) on 10/27/2011
Does iodine work for skin tags also? How much and how often? Thanks.
Iodine
Posted by Andy (Australia) on 11/04/2014
I've had skin tags in the past and my doctor told me not to worry as they soon outgrow their blood supply and eventually just drop off.
And they did! :)
Iodine
Posted by Mon (Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia) on 07/04/2011
Interesting! Where in Australia do I get colourless iodine?
Folic Acid
Posted by Joanna (California) on 03/31/2006
★★★★★
I see a Thyroid Specialist for hypothyroidism. I was complaining about my weak, brittle nails when he suggested that although my thyroid was functioning properly (too much or too little thyroid function can cause weak nails), that I may be deficient in folic acid. I'm not as faithful about taking my vitamins and supplements as I should be, but I do notice that when I take a folic acid supplement that my nails become stronger and break less often. You can buy folic acid as an individual supplement, but you can buy multivitamins with folic acid in them.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Emgee (Broken Hill, Australia) on 05/26/2012
I started taking Apple Cider Vinegar for a number of different health issues. After only a couple of days I noticed my flaky weak nails were getting stronger. Two months later now and I have the longest strongest nails I have ever had. Even hard to type on my keyboard lol. I read somewhere that Apple Cider Vinegar helps with the uptake of magnesium and calcium but can't remember where I read that. It certainly is the answer for me.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kayci (North Berwick, Maine) on 09/30/2012
you eat it?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Danie (France) on 12/06/2014
How do you prepare the ACV for long and strong fingernails?
MSM
Posted by Carmen (Brandon, Florida) on 12/25/2008
I am experiencing early menopause due to a hysterectomy and along with the many other changes I am encountering I find my nails are weak. During a search I found MSM, what exactly is this? And is it safe to take with harmone replacement?
MSM
Posted by Kim (Grants Pass, OR) on 04/03/2009
Hi Carmen, I just read your post. I too am having menopause issues from a hysterectomy at the early age of 26, which in turn turned into a hypothyroid issue, which left untreated, turned out to be pretty severe. Make sure you keep yourself educated, doctors that you pay to know health issues, typically DON'T know. Feel free to email me anytime. And my fingernails, bend easier than paper!!!
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Donna Cecconi (Crete, Il) on 02/17/2010
How much water and molasses do I mix with the lemon?
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Brittany (Grove City, Oh, Usa) on 09/18/2011
Just be careful with molasses, especially if you are diabetic.. Not a good remedy for diabetics or those who don't know they are diabetic. A whole cup seems excessive.
