Peeling, Brittle, Nails, and Cracking Skin?

I'm trying to find some info for my mom. Recently her nails have become very brittle and they are peeling. You can actually peel the top layer off.


Also she gets huge cracks in the skin around the nail tip, on each side of the nail.


The Dr. says that it's no fungus or anything like that. She has tried everything we can think of - cremes, lotions, oils, and expensive nail polishes (OPI Nail Strengthener).


If anyone has ideas on how to help the peeling nails, and especially how to help the Cracked skin around the nail, please answer.


ThanksPeeling, Brittle, Nails, and Cracking Skin?
From the symptoms that you have listed I would suspect a nutritional deficiency OR for some reason nutrients are be ill-absorbed in her body due to some medical condition.





First, I would exam her diet - is it adequate?, has she recently went on any fad diets that could be the culprit?, Is she taking a daily multi-vitamin?





Second, I would suggest that she go back to the doctor for a blood test that includes a vitamin %26amp; mineral check. They will test for the levels of nutrients in her body - Biotin, all of the B-vitamins, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids all play a vital role in repair of skin/hair/nail growth %26amp; tissue.





If the symptoms persist it would be wise to see another doctor for a second opinion..Peeling, Brittle, Nails, and Cracking Skin?
First treat the cracks with something like Neosporin. Once everything has healed try a medicated lotion at night with some gloves and sleep that way. Burt's Bees makes some good stuff.
Try this its fantastic,it works like magic(with me).my skin is totally renewed my hands are soft and my nails look healthy and the skin around the nails has stopped pealing,i cant promise you anything though cause different people react differently with different treatments,but try it anywys its called super dew luscious hydrating massage cream with anti aging sepilift complex.goodluck with your mom.
I think your mom is suffering from lack of calcuim. Why don't you get that checked? Surface creams and lotions are just temporary. The real problem is from the inside. Get that checked and see if her calcuim levels are okay. You did not mention how old your Mom is? Women have a tendency to deplete calcuim from their body. Many factors can also affect the calcium absorption in the body. Avoid the local off the shelf creams and consult your doctor or a skin specialist. Don't ignore this.
Its winter, that was just the case of some dry skin that got worse. You should go in to get your self an oil manicure first step, there about 10 bucks but worth it! that should soften you up, but alway lotion every time you even wash your hands!
This what i use for cracked skin- Cuticle oil


My mom uses - Nutragena instant nail enhancer- for her nails
I have this same problem. For the nails I added a calcium suppliment to my diet (I'm lactose intolerant so I can't drink mild and such), this helped majorly with the peeling and brittle nails.





For the dry cracking skin which is a major issue for me since I have to use latex gloves many times throughout the day along with alcohol based hand sanitizers which dry skin out badly, I started using Curel Continuous Comfort many times throughout the day even though it is a 24 hour lotion. This has helped drastically with the appearance and feel of my hands, so much so that I started using it as an all over lotion.