Has anybody else found that their nails have started to split lengthways?

[fridayfever]

I Was diagnosed with ra just under three years ago and I am currently taking methortrexate in injection 20mg, sulphasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, folic acid, omeprazole and just started ferrous sulphate as my bloods were showing constantly dropping HB ...

[Hidden]

Hello

You will need to talk with your RA Nurse or GP regarding this it may be a vitamin deficiency

All the best

BOB

[fridayfever in reply to Hidden]

Hi Bob

Thank you for your reply, I'm due to see my nurse in a fortnight so will mention it then, wasn't sure whether it was related or just a general thing.

Deb

[Neverwell]

Hi yes I have this for the last year asked doc and he thinks it is all meds and ra that is going it x

[fridayfever in reply to Neverwell]

Hi never well

From what I've read it does sound like it, always had such good nails since I managed to stop biting them many years ago.

Deb

[moallen]

Hi

My nails are dreadful. They catch on my clothing all the time and drive me mad. I think it's just something we have to live with. I do take Vitamin D3 but I have also lost my eyebrows altogether.

[fridayfever in reply to moallen]

Hi moallen

Thanks for your reply.

Never noticed anything previous like this, have you mentioned your eyebrows and nails to your ra nurse?

Deb

[magglen]

Yes, my nails are splitting. They get to a certain length and then that is it. I just have to keep them cut short.

I was interested to learn that it is a possible side effect of RA and or the medication. I have a very good diet and take calcium tablets so don't think I am lacking in any vitamins

[fridayfever in reply to magglen]

Hi magglen

Thanks for your reply.

This is what initially worried me as I am trying to eat so well at the moment because of the anaemia and all the meds that I am concerned that I am missing something.

Deb

[tilstongal]

Yes mine do this and catch on everything. As they split lengthwise you can't cut them short enough. Eventually I had gel nail varnish applied and renewed every couple of weeks (this is the sort they is applied professionally and dried with uv light) and that has helped enormously. My nails are now a normal length and massively protected by the varnish - it looks good too! Bit pricey but my view is we suffer enough and why should I look as though I bite my nails too?

Hope this helps.

Tilstongal

[fridayfever in reply to tilstongal]

Hi tilstongal

Thanks for the reply.

I have a gel nail kit I had bought me for Xmas so I might get round to doing them, if anything it might make them look better.

Deb

[johng]

I have RA for the last 2 years but I have had split nails for years due to injuries so I just put up with it

[fridayfever in reply to johng]

Hi John

Thanks for the reply.

It probably is something we will have to put up with by the sounds of it but as it is relatively new and with the increase of my meds was concerned my system may be lacking some nutrients and is something I can do something about.

I will be mentioning it to my nurse when I next see her.

Deb

[Whyme2]

Personally, Think it is one of the earlier symptoms of RA, had the same problem before diagnosis or starting meds. Few of my friends had similar experiences, so it seems a common problem with the actual RA

[fridayfever in reply to Whyme2]

Hi why me

It does appear from all the comments that it may be more common, only ever seen anything like it before on someone who had injured there hand.

Deb

[MarshaM]

Ive only been on MTX pills for 2 mos. But I've been taking Biotin as suggested by my hair dresser as I complained about thinning hair two yrs ago. Less hair falling out and an add bonus was that my nails have grown stronger. I've always had thin hair and weak nails. But after one yr on biotin nails have strengthened . In all the RA inflammation books I've read mention Biotin as one of the supplements to take.

[fridayfever in reply to MarshaM]

Hi marshan

Thanks for your reply.

I will have a look for biotin today as since taking mtx I've also had thinning hair so sounds worth a try. Thank you.

Deb

[emmajj1971]

My nails r very brittle snapping and bending always sharp bits catching, no matter what i do but now i have found that if i have gelish nail polish applied at a salon my nails look fantastic and the gelish is so strong that they do t snap, i still have to keep them short u can just see them over the tip of my fingers but they stay nice.

[fridayfever in reply to emmajj1971]

Hi emmajj

Thanks for the reply.

Have you seen marsham post above, I think I may be trying the biotin and have gel nails done to. Thank you.

Deb

[Pands]

Oh my nails are dreadful too! They split and break and snag down the nail. Might look into the gel nails suggested here as I hate mine!

[fridayfever in reply to Pands]

Hi pands

Thanks for the reply.

Think I'm going to try the biotin too.

Deb

[Footdoc]

This is quite common, in the main due to the medication. It would be worthwhile to occasionally see a podiatrist, who can use a burr to smooth the nail and will improve the overall look of the nail. Anyone with any form of arthritis should have their feet checked annually as some things can suddenly bite you on the bum. Good advice should always provided by a well qualified podiatrist. They will help you to look after your feet. You only have one pair of feet and they have to last a long time, hopefully. Yes, I am speaking as a podiatrist, but also as someone who has been quite badly affected in the foot department.

[Pands in reply to Footdoc]

Interestingly my toe nails are fine - just my finger nails have lots of problems!

[fridayfever in reply to Footdoc]

Hi footdoc

Thanks for the reply.

Think we all forget until we suffer, how much we put our feet through on a daily basis.

Deb

[dbestdeb]

I have never had great nails but since RA, they curl at the edges and begin to split so low that they catch on everything and bleed when they get torn. I too tried the gel at the salon several times, but it always peeled off within a week. My rheumy said it looks like I have a bit of psoriatic arthritis too. I hope you have better luck with the gel than I did.

[fridayfever in reply to dbestdeb]

Hi dbestdeb

Hope so to, my toes have always lasted pretty well in the past.

But I am going to try the biotin too anything worth a go.

Deb

[Claire32]

Hi! My nails were the same. I have been taking the biotin supplement for a few months and my hair is thickening and my nails are better. I also regularly have a gel polish on called geleration xx

[fridayfever in reply to Claire32]

Hi Claire

Thank you for the reply.

Think I'm going to give both a go.

Deb

[Footdoc]

Try some tea tree oil twice weekly, diluted with almond oil. Tea tree on it's own can be irritating to the sulcus (flesh) around the toe nail. Tea tree oil is a good anti-fungal. Its better at prevention than cure, unless it is a very mild attack of fungus.

[Hidden]

Hello

I suffer Psoriatic Arthritis, related to RA damage. My fingernails all are affected by grooving from the wick of the nail to the nail end, it really annoys and irritates so much that for most of the time I bite my nails to the quick as then nail seems to be affected by a weakness, in its makeup it seems not to be a deficiency in any way. I suppose it could be medication although that was ruled out.

I suppose RA must be the problem and could be part of the diagnosis

Anyone have any ideas regarding this ??.

BOB

[moallen]

No I have mentioned my eyebrows or nails to the RA nurse but I wlll. I don't go until late June

[Hidden]

Some of my nails split vertically on both fingers and toes. This started happening a few years back after I just got diagnosed with carpal tunnel. Looking back, my knees and ankles were all swollen at the same time but the doctor dismissed it. Looks like it was probably my first flare up had I but known it. I've never had meds as I still haven't had my diagnosis confirmed yet, so I think it's the disease not the meds.

It's a great idea to try gel nail polish and I think I might try it too.

[ZAbbott]

Thank you for asking this (and to all those who replied!) - I have had both RA and fibromyalgia for 3.5+ yrs so far, but thought this new symptom (last few months, no change in meds) might be part of the fibro. I also take the D3 tablets and have a good diet but perhaps I will mention to my CNS (if I ever get the next appointment! Two months overdue) when I see her. It's helpful to know we're not alone!

thank you.

hope you enjoy your gel Nail Varnish kit

Zoë xx