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.
Split Nails
Posted by Patricia (Denver, Co) on 08/18/2011
The nail on my right index finger has been split in two on the white part only, for years. The width of the split sometimes changes, but it never grows together. Needless to say, it catches on everything and is very bothersome and sometimes destructive. All the other nails are strong and well shaped. Can anyone say what causes this and/or how I can fix it?
Pau D' Arco, DMSO
Posted by Kathie (Houston, Select State/province) on 05/28/2011
★★★★★
In David Wolf's book, EATING FOR BEAUTY, He says to use one-half dropper-full of pau d'arco alcohol tincture on and under the nail and on the first and second knuckle after it has been cleaned. Then "paint" the area with a few drops of DMSO, this helps the pau d'arco to better penetrate. He says that DMSO can burn when used too much. It should take 3 to six weeks to see results.
In the past I have filed the top of my nail to make it very thin and then applied tea tree oil and Thyme essential oil with good results. Filing the nail thin allowed for better absorbtion (much what Wolf recommends but with DMSO).
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia) on 04/08/2011
Cadillacrob, I fixed a nail fungus problem that I had had for over 6 years. I drank the apple cider vinegar - 2 tblspns twice a day. It completely healed the problem but it took three months. You could see the new nail coming in without the fungus. It is better to drink the apple cider because the problem will still be inside you.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Bleug8 (Fairfield, California) on 01/05/2011
★★★★★
I heard ridges come with age. I am 54 and also had them. I use coconut oil and just from getting the oil out of the jar the ridges have dissapeared! Love coconut oil!
Coconut Oil
Posted by Tricia (Ireland) on 01/06/2011 84 posts
These ridges are called Beau's lines. Googling this generally brings images of extreme cases but it can give you an insight into possible causes.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Mickey3233 (Dallas, Tx) on 11/29/2010
★★★★★
Toenail Fungus.... I've read plenty on here on how to get rid of toenail fungus. I had a white spot on the tip of my big toe. Didn't think anything of it for a while until it kept growing and growing down to the base. It formed 2 white thick lines and a brown spot was forming. When I cut my nails there was solid white stuff under the nail I cut and the white and brown was already down half of my right big toe nail bed. That's when I started reading on here about cures.
I tried the ACV and Tea tree oil. And you really need to be patient here. I'm talking 3 months at least. I put apple cider vinegar on every morning and tea tree oil on every night. Every time I cut my nails, about every 2 weeks, I could see it moving up. Very little, but I could see it. I added Fungoid Tincture after about 2 months with FT and tea tree oil. And I only used the Fungoid for about 7 or 9 days and after that just tea tree oil. My nail is back to normal and it took about 6 months. So it worked for me. I didn't skip a day the whole time. You gotta really fight this. Now I put tea tree oil on about twice a week to prevent this from coming back.
Dark Patches: Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Ricardo Macalino (Philippines) on 03/10/2021 2 posts
All nail polish colored or not is not good, the poisonous chemicals in it is absorbed by the nail to the system beside it prevent the nail from breathing or absobinng air and water making it brittle.
Nail Injury: Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jane (Pasadena, Ca) on 06/13/2010
★★★★★
I crushed the nail bed of my index finger a few days ago when my finger got caught (twisted and smooshed) on my luggage strap as I was lifting it down from the overhead bin. It hurt soooooo badly, I was certain my nail would turn black and eventually fall off. As soon as I got home, I soaked my still throbbing finger tip in straight apple cider vinegar for about 15 minutes. The rest of the night I felt sudden shooting pains. However, the next morning, my pain had subsided by 75% and the only time it hurt is if I pressed on the nail bed. 24 hours later, no pain, no discoloration. Yes!!!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 06/23/2012
plaster = british slang for a band aid or sticky bandage.
Nail Issues
Posted by Brooke (Montgomery, Tx, Usa) on 01/05/2011
It is usually due to an iron or zinc deficiency.
Nail Issues
Posted by D (NY, NY) on 01/22/2009
I have read that this is a sign of heart problems. Just a thought.
Nail Issues
Posted by Nonni (Cleveland, OH) on 03/23/2009
Hello, Mary. I was just reading the posts under Castor Oil at this site right after seeing your post. I happened to notice someone mentioned having black lines on their toenail which they said indicated a nail fungus. They used vinegar and castor oil on the nail to heal it. Go to Remedies tab, Castor Oil Packs and you will see the "Toenail Fungus" post. Possibly this is the answer you need. Good luck to you.
Nail Psoriasis
Posted by Chloe (Westminster Co) on 06/26/2016
Coconut oil, add some tea tree oil or 3% peroxide. Also soaking feet in black tea, eliminated athletes feet, skin infections, and fungus, rapidly, in people with diabetes, and a fellow hospital patient I suggested it to.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Caitlin (Austin, Tx) on 07/22/2015
For foot and toenail fungus: Every night before bed, smear your feet with organic coconut oil & put on a pair of cotton socks. This helped my husband eliminate toe fungus completely in one night! For some, it takes up to a week.
Smashed Fingernail Remedies
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 06/09/2015
ORH, how fascinating about your thumb! I recently had a bad infection by a fingernail and the edge of the finger was all swollen, feelin' the hearbeat and all. I BEGGED them to slit it so the stuff can come out, but they said: the antibiotics will take care of it, they said it's not swollen enough to slit!!! After a few days of suffering, I went to the ER in middle of the night and said: you slit it or I stay here!! Luckily, the surgeon on duty knew me from a different visit and "did me the great favor" of slitting it and pressing out the pus and stuff. THAT'S when it started to get better!
Horizontal Ridges on Nails
Posted by Tina (Pennsylvania) on 10/15/2017
Thank you so much for your post. I've had these horizontal ridges on just my thumbnails for the past two years and in all of my reading, it would be some kind of deficiency or disease. If it were so, wouldn't the ridges appear on all of my nails? I have a tendency to pick around the cuticles of my thumbs so this was something I was starting to think might be the cause. Your post just confirmed it! Thanks heaps 😊
Vertical Ridges on Nails
Posted by Tamara (Fort Collins, Colorado, Usa) on 05/03/2013
Hi Anon, I'm not Joy, but I wanted to mention that pale urine CAN indicate dehydration. I know it sounds counter intuitive. When people drink lots of water throughout the day and strive for clear or super pale urine that means they are drinking TOO MUCH water and flushing water and electrolytes out of the body. We need a balance of electrolytes in order for osmosis of the cells to occur. For instance, if we don't have enough salt (among other things) in our blood our cells will not let water in, so it just moves into our kidneys and out the bladder without actually hydrating us! You want a little color in your urine, which means not drinking litres of water a day and making sure to get plenty of electrolytes. Remember, fruits and vegetables have lots of water in them, too. Drink to thirst, salt your food to taste, and eat mineral rich foods (or supplement). Good health!
Vertical Ridges on Nails
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 05/03/2013
There is an amazing article with pictures of all nail conditions on hub pages under the heading of: "LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR NAILS TELL YOU" low iron, poor digestion and absorption, poor protein metabolism are associated with vertical ridges on nails.
I can't attach any sites ??? Maybe one of you can bring a connection for the readers here.
Infection
Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 06/23/2012
If that were me with the infected nails, I would use bacitracin ointment to treat them from the outside, and a baking soda/lemon candida pH cleanse from the inside. Most pharmacies carry bacitracin ointment near the first aid supplies, a pharmacist will be able to tell you where it is, or which product has it in it. I use it whenever I get a hangnail to stop nasties in their tracks.
Pterygium Inversum Unguis
Posted by Margaret (Chicago, Il) on 03/23/2012
I used a drop of bergamot oil (which is supposed to be anti-fungal) under the toenail once every day for about a month and it went away.
Purple Emu Oil
Posted by Carolyn (Pittsburgh, Pa) on 11/26/2011
★★★★★
I apply Purple Emu Oil to my nails at bed time. It moisturizes them, making them stronger and less brittle.
Infection
Posted by Undercurrent (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 11/15/2011
Hello, I have an infected 'hangnail' on one of my toes (I peeled the skin around the cuticles). It's definitley not an ingrown nail, it's just the skin on the side where I peeled is showing signs of a staph infection (slight one).
I am interested in using a tea tree oil soak but have no idea how I should make it. I understand overly diluted tea tree oil can create resistance. I am planning on just soaking my toe - so a small bowl. My idea is to get a cup or two of warm water and put 5-6 drops of tea tree oil in it and soak my toe for 10 minutes. Is there a certain concentration or precise amount of water to tea tree oil I should be doing? Sorry for the questions!
Thank you!
Liam
Infection
Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 09/28/2012
When I get a nasty toenail like that, I take a normal bath - add whatever you like to it - every day and cover it with antibiotic ointment every night (I guess you could use coconut oil instead) til its better. I see noticeable relief after 1 day and noticeable improvement after 3 days. Keep it covered in the daytime if you are wearing open toed shoes during the day. That and alkalize your system with baking soda and lemon water once or twice a day. Infections can only survive in an acidic host.
Nail Issues
Posted by Beryl (Adelaide, Australia) on 09/09/2011
I have very bad swelling of my thumb nails plus they are marked like a fungus. Also down the side of some of may nails is black. I have aggravated them in the past and this is the result.
Please advise.
Split Nails
Posted by Iowama (Pella, Ia) on 09/05/2011
Hi Patricia, I know just what you're talking about, as my thumb nail splits in that way. I have developed habits that have helped all my nails stay nice. I found a common unscented lotion that uses coloidal oatmeal and promises 24 hour moisture. It is a blessing. I now keep a container near the sinks, in my bag, and in my car console. I use an emory board to smooth away snags as soon as I can get to them. At times. I've had to keep a dry bandage on my nail for a few days to grow it long enough so that I could clip away the split part and file it. A box of latex gloves sits beneath my sink for dish washing and heavy cleaning. While gardening, I use deer skin gloves, as cloth ones never protect my nails. Another post mentions dipping the nails into coconut oil andI too have found it very helpful. All moisturizers must be massaged into both the nail and cuticle areas. Even lip balm helps in a pinch. Flying is the worst! Drink water and carry lotion and an emory file. One day I must have a conversation with a flight attendant about this. Good luck!
Split Nails
Posted by Catherine (Wellington, New Zealand) on 12/11/2011
Reply to Patricia: I have also had a split nail which bothered me for years and had to keep my nail very short to stop it catching. A couple of years ago I started taking selenium on a regular basis as I read somewhere it was really good for weak nails. In a few months the split had healed and there is now only a slightly depressed line where the gap used to be. Lately I have started on homeopathic silica and massaging coconut oil into my nails and they are stronger and smoother than they have ever been. Hope this helps.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Melanie (Ankeny, Iowa) on 07/21/2011
★★★★★
I've been taking 1 T. EVCO each morning in my cofffee for about two months. One thing I've noticed, and I haven't heard anyone else talk about it, is that my nails are growing in strong! I used to have long, beautiful fingernails in high school and college. Nothing would cause them to break. After having two kids, my nails have been thin and brittle, and would snap off like potato chips. I couldn't grow my nails out to save my life for the last 12 years. Now suddenly, they are growing again. The only change in my life is my EVCO. Amazing!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lindy (Mineola, Texas, Usa) on 05/15/2011
Please try this: Soak your feet at least 5 times per week. Dry them well. Buy some Vick's Vapo Rub. (NO GENERICS PLEASE. ) Dip Q~Tips in the Vick's and lubricate EVERY affected toenail. (NO DOUBLE ~ DIPPING. ) Use a cuticle pusher or pointed nail file and GENTLY push some of the VIck's under the affected nails. When all affected toes on both feet have been lubricated, cover each foot with a sock or bootie and wear them overnight. Wash Vick's off the next morning. Repeat this 5 nights per week until nails are looking good and then decrease or discontinue using your own trial and error judgement. This really works!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 09/28/2012
For nail fungus, use lemon juice and coconut oil. Use one in the AM the other in the PM.
Neem Oil
Posted by Lane (New York, New York, Usa) on 10/28/2010
★★★★★
The person in question had it on their two big toes. The fungus was highly yellow near the top of the nails, then a frightening black near the bottom. Candida has been an issue, but is clearing up nicely thanks to MMS, finally--after strenuous yeast free diet and wild oregano, and more failed to do the entire job.
Anyway, we separated the nail from the toe bed somewhat so we could get the neem oil in there. It sounds disgusting but separating the nail really did the trick, I think. The Neem oil settles in there and will stay for days if you don't wash it out. Within a week the fungus and black was nearly completely gone. It was only applied 3-4 times. There is still a dark spot on one nail which is more red than black now, but I feel a couple of additional applications of the neem oil should finish it off nicely. Two thumbs up!
Dark Patches: Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by L. (Red Deer, Alberta Canada) on 07/19/2010
★★★★★
After removing my 'toxic trio free' polish from my toes I discovered a dark patch, three years ago, and again last year. This year I removed the colored polish to find dark patches on three nails. After the first occurrence, I left it unpolished but the nail did not clear until the peroxide was used. Each time I soaked cotton in a strong peroxide solution, and held it on by making toe covers from a surgical glove. One application does it. This treatment does cause some pain for a couple hours, but it's worth it to have clear nails after only one application. So, for me, the remedy is so simple, but what I'm wondering about is why after 'colored' polish the nails darken to a brown/red color. The pale colors didn't seem to cause a problem.
Onycholysis
Posted by Pakins (Wilmington, Nc) on 03/30/2017
Could you please tell me what medication the Dr. gave you for $5
Onycholysis
Posted by Reina (Europe) on 10/03/2017
Painfull finger tips I have also occasionally and what helps me is to squeeze the finger tips hard. I alternate going from one finger to the other, and do this as often as possible. May hurt a little on the moment but gives relief after. It also stimulates the circulation and with that the growth of the nails.
Nail Biting
Posted by Tricia (Ireland) on 10/10/2009 84 posts
What worked for me was to poliah my nails with a clear nail polish. When I would become conscious of biting my nail tips i would switch to biting the nail polish. While, in some ways it is replacing one disorder with another, as my nails started to grow and harden againg I found myself not wanting to ruin how they looked and eventually stopped biting altogether. It would probobly be a good idea to use a nail hardener while you are doing this as constant biting does weaken them. Also keep a nail file handy as if there are breaks or uneven edges it is too tempting to bite to stop them catching. Good luck as it is a very hard habit to break. Worse than smoking when it comes to a habit as you have to consciously go get a cigarette, your hands are just there.
Nail Biting
Posted by Citygirl27 (Richardson, Tx, Usa) on 06/23/2012
What worked for me is taking better care of my nails, and my cuticles especially. And also I began to be more motivated to have them look nice for interviews and social outings. When I would be tempted I would think 'do I really want the group to see my damaged nail if I do this now?' at least wait'. When a dangling bit of cuticle or skin would tempt me, I would use my nippers (not regular nail clippers) to trim it down so I wouldn't be distracted anymore. I even keep a pair of nippers in my car so something won't bother me the whole time I'm out. Between that and keeping the ridges buffed and tips filed and using cuticle oil (olive, almond or commercial cuticle oil) regularly really inspired me to keep them in better shape. It isn't an overnight fix but will trend better with time and improve.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Ana (Melbourne, Victoria Australia) on 02/07/2009
★★★★☆
Thickened and raised nails: I have suffered with tinea pedis on my left foot following years of illness with endometriosis and low immunity. That was 8 years ago, and I have had only temporary success from conventional applications such as Lamisil, but the nails remain thickened and damaged. I am currently applying 50/50 ACV and 3% peroxide morning and night. I follow with an application of essential oils in a tincture of organic olive leaf extract. The essential oils include Oregano, Tee tree and Red Thyme oil. I have 4 nails affected and thickened. The big toe nail is now separating from the nail bed, being one 5th attached. I have cut it back to half and apply the above remedies using a band-aid to prevent lifting of the nail. Does anyone know if it is likely that when a new nail grows back, weather it will re-adhere completely to the nail bed as before, and also it is starting to scoop upwards due to the separation of the nail bed - is it likely to stay that way?
EC: Tinea Pedis is the medical name for Athlete's Foot.
Nail Issues
Posted by Madhur (Suva, Fiji) on 01/25/2009
I have vertical ridges on all my nails, and they subsequently crack on the ridge. Can anyone tell me what deficiency causes this, and the supplement I should take. Thanks.
Nail Issues
Posted by Mesem (Toulon, France) on 01/05/2011
My finger nails have many long ridges at the moment. I read a long time ago that this is due to stress. Makes sense as a sort of contraction at the base of the nails would cause this effect. There must be more to it though and would like some ideas as my nails are not pretty or healthy looking and do tend to break easily. Nails are essentially keratin and only the base of the nail is alive. Not finding info. On this... Help!
Nail Issues
Posted by Addy (Flowery Branch, Ga) on 01/05/2011
I have the same issue with my fingernails. I recently asked a friend of mine who is a beautician for her two cents about it and she said I am vitamin deficient but which one, no telling. I can add that I take Prevacid which is known to rob you of your A & B vitamins.. Specifically, it doesn't allow for these vitamins to be absorbed into your blood stream. I just started taking supplements to see if I get anywhere with it. If anyone has further feedback.. Please share!
