Crumbling nails.

First see a doctor to see if there is an underlying cause. Nails are very often the first sign of an illness.

I'm 70 and have fine hair but lots of it and very strong nails even though I never wear gloves when washing up. I can only put it down to consuming milk, eggs, cheese, real butter and cream...all of which I absolutely love, I am careful not to eat too much though but always use real butter and olive oil when cooking. (I use Trex if I make pastry though, never butter, lard or marg)I wonder if this may be a contributing factor to having strong nails? I rarely use nail varnish.

Greciangirl, My nails were crumbling terribly, I was cutting them shorter and shorter as they were breaking and very ugly. I got Strength Serum from Superdrug for £4.79. I used it twice a day and before I'd finished the tube I was able to wear nail polish - a matter of about a month or less. I'm really impressed with it.

Travelsafar I use Solgar Vitamin D3 ( cholecalciferol) softgels which I buy on the internet. I have my levels checked regularly and it is now at an acceptable level which I have to maintain at the higher supplementation level. It is acknowledged that it is difficult in the northern climes to have sufficient for your body without supplementing but of course you do need to keep an eye on the numbers. If you are seriously numerically low you would never get anywhere near even to the nhs level at the maximum recommended 800 iu supplementation level. We are all different and have varying needs and the nhs recommended levels are totally inadequate for my needs and my DD's which is why the endocrinologist said that the gp's advice is based on general knowledge rather than specialist experience. All I know is that I feel so much better for my supplements and my nails are a real indicator flag for me. Be careful but take charge of your own health.

My nails are beautiful when I am in Greece and absolutely awful in England. Think sunshine (Vit D) and olive oil probably help. Take Biotin now which helps a bit but they are very brittle at this time of the year.

Ask at Boots or when you next see your GP.

Perhaps ask a salon for advice. They may suggest shellac.

I have the same problem which I think is genetic. I have vertical lines on all my nails which become more pronounced as the years go by, as does the weakness and splitting at the least provocation! I recall my mother and maternal grandmother having the same problem, but there can also be lots of other causes for weak nails as other posters have said.

I’ve tried a few remedies over the years and found that keeping them short and using OPI nail strengthener are the only things that work me. I prefer the matte version as shiny nails aren’t my thing. It is pricey though (around £20) but last for quite a while.

Gel nails of whatever brand aren’t suitable for unheathly nails.
If a client came into me with split and crumbling nails I would refuse to put gels on.
The nails are a window onto the state of your body or lifestyle. Look at you diet, your health and the way you use your hands. Housework, gardening, and other pursuits can have an impact. OPI, Nailtiques and many other products are excellent. Sometimes you need to vary them. Both OPI and Nailtiques have options.

Thanks for the info Grans. In my case I am in good health thoroughly checked by lovely GP, eat a very healthy Mediteranean type diet, am not deficient in Vit D just have crap fingernails, so think I will give OPI a trial. ?

Having gel nails done has made my nails worse. I had them done at Xmas and then again in January but am now having time off to let them recuperate.

DO try Nailtique!!! Cannot recommend it highly enough don't know why more people don't use it. Suffered flaking nails for years, they were a real mess until manicurist suggested this and I've been using it ever since. Paint it on like clear nail varnish for 5 days then take it off for 2 days and then start again. After 6-8 weeks I actually needed to cut my nails something I hadn't done for a very long time. I buy on Amazon, there are some different strengths but I use no. 2.

This thread made me actually do something about my own nails. I cannot 'paint' anything on them as removal solution destroys them no matter what sort. So in a moment of inspiration I did what I did years ago and a few night started applying olive oil to the nails and cuticle with a small soft toothbrush and leaving it on for an hour. Massive improvement already. Pleased as punch

I had a problem with breaking and splitting nails, it went on for ages, I tried everything; GP: tried asking swimming pool whether they'd changed or added any chemicals etc. Then suddenly it stopped, my nails are now back to normal, so my guess is that it was part of the menopause - for me anyway. I'm 72 now and this was about 7 years ago. Best of luck anyway