Splitting nails & lupus

[MoominMomma]

Morning all, this maybe a silly question but does anybody else suffer from splitting nails? Since being diagnosed with lupus, I have had increased amounts of ridges on them but now the nails are splitting down to the nail bed. Also, my thumb nails are separating, as in, the back of the nail appears to be coming away from the top layer but they’re not coming away from my thumb. Just another thing to play on my mind during lockdown.

If anyone has any tips to help as I hate having extremely short nails. 😩

[suzannah16]

I get splits too, particularly bad on my toenails which split top to bottom but don't detach so catch on my socks

[MoominMomma in reply to suzannah16]

Bless you. Touch wood my toe nails aren’t affected. I need decent length nails for my work so it’s quite frustrating.

[miccika1]

So you have issues with lungs? Usually nail issues are a symptom of bad lungs, either inflammation or low oxygen or similar. I have nail changes every time im in a flare.

[MoominMomma in reply to miccika1]

Wow I didn’t know about the link between lungs & nails. I’ve got pulmonary fibrosis due to the lupus. At least that could explain the splitting. I just need to try to prevent it.

Thanks for your comment. 😊

[miccika1 in reply to MoominMomma]

Yeah so the nail issue will depend on how well you manage your pulmonary fibrosis, I think. Good luck!

[stiff19 in reply to miccika1]

This is interesting, I was told I had low oxygen in blood and then (long story) changed to breathing problems due to weight, I’m overweight a bit not hugely 😡 my Finger nails also have ridges and split top to bottom when things get bad.

[MoominMomma in reply to stiff19]

I didn’t think I’d had a major flare as I was just not feeling myself due to shielding but possibly this is a sign. I too am a bit overweight but can’t exercise due to pain & shortness of breath. I expect you know the viscous circle. ☹️ Can you recommend anything that could help?

[stiff19 in reply to MoominMomma]

Exactly the reason my weight went up not eating, my appetite is halved anyway 🤷‍♀️ Yes it’s a vicious cycle and sorry I can’t offer any advice myself .

Best wishes

[miccika1 in reply to stiff19]

It's not easy to lose weight you have to be very determined. What helped me is getting rid if mental block that due to fatigue i cant excercise. Apperently i can it's just a matter of how much. I started with moving my wrists and feet while lying in bed and called that an excercise. Important thing is to establish a routine and attach it to something you like doing. I started walking on treadmill while watching tv. That's the only thing that worked. Without attaching excercise to tv i couldn't walk for 2min and with TV slowely over time im at 30mins. It's still hard but i force myself since i realized even if i force myself and feel like shit while excercizing i do not make myself worse and over time i made myself feel better as i can breathe better jow. Fatigue is still there in the same way but at least i know my muscles are not detiriorating due to inactivity and im maintaining good mental state, lots of excercise benefits.

[LalSD]

Dear MoominMomma, I had the same issue soon after my second daughter's birth constantly for four years( I was very sad and tried every vitamin or oil but no use and I had no idea I had lupus at the time, this was twenty four years ago). Please use 'Aqueous Cream' as a hand cream as often as you can even put it on at night and wear gloves allowing cream to soak in to the nails. I prefer Boots and buy a large tub and keep it by my bed and it will do wonders to your nails. Keep using a month and see the results. I also use black castor oil to heal my nail bed as well. In the meantime eat well and rest as lupus requires us to do that anyway:). The smell of Aqueous Cream is not nice but everyone loves my nails, and I can not live without that cream. As a nail varnish, I use a specific nail vanish from NK garlic treatment once a month. Hope this helps. Lx

[MoominMomma in reply to LalSD]

Ooh thank you for that. I’ll definitely put the cream on my shopping list & try it. Its a silly thing but it’s starting to get me down as each time they stat to grow, one then two split.

Thanks again 😊

[Sun83]

Maybe you should have your thyroid checked out. Thyroid problems cause thin nails. Lupus and thyroid disease tend to go hand in hand with each other.

[MoominMomma]

Thanks for replying. I’ve had my thyroid and all sorts tested. They’re now saying it could be lupus, medication or menopause related as my hairs falling out too. Touch wood I haven’t got any bald patches. Fingers crossed that it all settles quickly. X