Nail Issues

As a child I originally got a nail fungus from a splinter climbing up a garage door in the early 1960s. By 1976 I had three fingers infected. More became fungal as the years went by. They would clear up while on medicine but come back when medication was stopped. I had gotten up to six fungal nails by the time I had given up trying to get them cured before 2000. Between 2002 and 2004 I tried again and one new medication worked on six of the seven nails(I was up to seven nails by then). It was the last one that didn't get better.

I've been reading this site for two days because I have two nails that are fungal again, one last year, the other a few months ago besides the nail that never got better. Last year the previous oral medication didn't work anymore. On 3.28.12 I started using Piggy Paste. I will try the remedies I have read about here for fungal nails but my question is about the most recent fungal nail because it has developed a new problem. In the past month it really looks ugly. It has pus like a blister under the skin on the side of the nail bed at the cuticle and is sore.

I found this website "www.skinsight.com" with pictures and one is exactly what my thumb nail looks like. It says it's a Nail Infection, Bacterial(Paronychia). The pus will harden or go away but the skins peels off in a few days then it starts over again. If anyone has a remedy for this I'd really appreciate it. Just the fungus is bad enough but this really deforms the nail and makes it peel from the nail bed. Ted from Bangkok, Thailand usually has a lot of remedies, maybe he'll see this. I'm looking for help from all that may know one. Thank you.

I'm such a firm believer in organic VCO. Please read all the posts that is listed at EC under virgin coconut oil. All I know is that I have taken 2 tbs a day (internally) for well over a year and I can't remember the last time I was sick. Anytime I have a skin issue or infection, I put on the VCO and within a day or two, it is starting to heal.

You might consider that the re-occurance of your fungus is internal. Start out small. Too much could really make you sick. I wish you well.

Sondra, Try taking 5000 mcg of Biotin. Make sure to take a B-50 or B-100 with it. I took it for a nerve issue and found out a month later that my nail fungus was gone. The nails get harder and make it difficult for the fungus to grow. Hope this helps.

Thanks for all your responses. I do take Biotin but not the B-50 or B-100. I'll be trying it all. I haven't taken ACV in a while, will have to get some. Will also get the VCO. Taking natural product does a body good. I will also start back to detoxing to get myself back to cleaning out the stuff that keeps this on going. It seems like this has happened since I haven't detoxed in almost two years. Thanks again Debbie, Oregon and Sue M.

I have thick skin under a couple of my toenails. From what I've read so far, it's called pterygium inversum unguis, if you google it there will be a picture to give you an example. It looks very odd to me, although nobody has noticed it, I am self concious about it. I don't think it's a fungus, and it has been this way since I can remember. The thick skin under my nails is sensitive, I believe it has alot of nerve endings, so I can't just go cutting away at this stuff. I was wondering if anyone has a remedy to rid myself of this thick skin! It's only on 3 nails, I believe. Both of my big toes, and one other toe. I just put coconut oil on it tonight in hope maybe it will soften up and recede, but even the thought of touching the skin makes me squeemish. Any ideas, please share! Thanks!!

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.

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.

Great site, thanks to all who contribute. I have had nail psoriasis for years now (no skin psoriasis) and tried several doctor recommended tratments without success. Ocasionally, the symptoms do improve temporarily to only come back with a vengeance later on. It does seem like stressful times are exacerbating the problem. Are there any remedies that you would recommend for nail (toe and finger) psoriasis?
Thank you!

My sister has psoriatic arthritis and one of the symtoms is her finger nails and toe nails literally rot off - she went to a specialist and was prescribed methotrexate and humira - I wish I knew something natural but nothing ever worked for her but these meds - she hasn't had any more outbreaks since.

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!

I ran 8 miles downhill and now my toe nailbeds are swollen, what should I do?

I'd like to prevent one or two of mine from coming off if possible as I have a similar problem to yours. Did you ever get any feedback as to how to get the swelling down and keep the nail?

HELLO IM 28 YEARS OLD AND HAVE A TOE NAIL ISSUE FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS, FROM HAVING INGROWN TOENAILS, TO A NAIL FUNGUS AFTER THE REMOVAL OF NAILS, PRIMARILY ON MY BIG TOES, IVE TRIED LAMISIL, AND THAT JUST DOESNT WORK, I HAVE EVEN TRAVELED AS FAR AS MEXICO TO TRY AND FIND A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT WITH NO LUCK. I HAVE JUST DISCOVERED THIS WEBSITE AND I DECIDED TO GIVE THE ACV A SHOT, SO LAST NIGHT I WENT TO MY LOCAL STORE AND PURCHASED THE UNFILTERED TYPE OF ACV, IT WAS ABOUT 10.00, AND A TUPPERWARE CONTAINTER TO SOAK MY FEET IN. I SOAKED LAST NIGHT FOR 45 MIN. AND AGAIN THIS MORNING FOR ABOUT 35 MIN. ONE OF MY QUESTIONS IS SHOULD I REUSE THE ACV OR SHOULD I USE FRESH ACV, PLEASE HELP, I WILL CONTINUE TO POST THE PROGRESS. IM HOPING THIS WORKS!

I have been having honey on crumpets, english muffins & toast of a morning[not all 3 daily ] for the last few months and have found that my weak brittle nails have become quite strong and haven't been breaking. Is there proof that honey will strenghten nails? This is the only food difference that I have added to my diet.

Has anybody else had this success?

is there any folk remedies to remove yellow stains on fingers from smoking??

Yes, there is. Quit smoking! Kidding aside, my heart has a special place for smokers. To quit this addiction has been the hardest thing I ever had to do, and I have achieved some pretty amazing things in my lifetime... I personally tried all methods and prescribed medication out there.

What worked for me was the patch in conjunction with liver detoxing. If you detox right you will get to that state when you first started to smoke where you had to force yourself to do it since it was so nasty (no one was born enjoying cigarette smoke). Juicing along with coffee enemas comes to mind (sort of like Gerson therapy). Also, I ran into this and haven't tried it, but maybe it could help you: http://www.doctoryourself.com/cstop.html

have you tried Food grade hydrogen peroxide?? Add 1 &1/2 oz of 35 % to 1-gallon water and soak.. Always dilute H2O2.. Same for soaking feet for athlete'a feet prevention and cure.. Beauty shops use this always use only food grade.

I've had ridges on my nails for as long as I can remember, and as they grow out they split along the ridges. My former dermatologist had no idea why. My current dermatologist said they were just brittle and I should take fish oil. They aren't actually brittle - they're soft and flexible - but I got the fish oil anyway since it has other benefits. It has been about 18 months since I started taking fish oil and my nails aren't any better. More recently (about 3 months ago) I started drinking organic unfiltered ACV, usually 3-4 Tablespoons over the couse of a day. Still no nail improvement. In fact they're worse because a couple of them seem to have developed fungus - the nails are pulling away from the nail bed. I started applying ACV directly to the afflicted nails at bedtime. This seemed to help at first - I had cut off the separated part of the nails and they grew back in a bit - but after a few weeks the nails started separating again (even though I was still doing the nighttime ACV regimen). I'm now soaking my nails in ACV instead of just applying with a cotton swab (typing this with the other hand) - will keep soaking nightly and see if the condition improves.

I have read that marked ridges and cracks on fingernails is a sign of Iron deficiency.

Trinh, in my case I don't think the ridges are caused by iron deficiency - I have always taken multivitamins with iron, and my iron levels have always been fine whenever I've had bloodwork done. Anyway, to follow up on my 12/27/11 post, for the last 3 weeks I have been soaking my fingernails in straight ACV for 20-30 minutes a night (had to skip a few nights here and there) and I'm definitely noticing an impact on the fungus. The nails are starting to grow a little higher up the nail bed (they had only been attached about halfway up; I had been clipping off the detached parts). I can also see a color difference between the new growth near the cuticle (light pink-ish) and the older growth (slightly darker). The new growth still has ridges, but I'll keep soaking to keep the fungus away.

Bleug's lines are HORIZONTAL lines. Not vertical lines.

Is it possible that the darker colors of nail polish are staining your nails and the hydrogen peroxide is bleaching the stains away?

No, it's definitely dark red/brown patches, with every passing year another nail is affected. I actually do not wear dark polish that often anymore because of this and at that, just in the summer months/special occasions. When I used to wear the pinks and reds more often, the polish would stain all the nails yellow and it would have to just grow out. These 3 patches do not grow out which is why I've resorted to a 'strong' peroxide. The question I'm left with is, is this a nail fungus? I was hoping someone else had a similar experience.

Do you use a base coat before the polish? I've found that these make a HUGE difference in not only keeping the nails from being stained after wearing the polish, but it also helps to keep the polish on and looking good without chipping or flaking off as much.

Ted, or anyone. Does anybody have a remedy for onycholysis? (nail separating from the nail bed). The doctors and dermatologists tell me it is trauma but I have had this condition for about 5 yrs. And I know it is not trauma. I take Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism and have noticed (on some websites) a link between this medication and onycholysis. I OP and take Ted's ACV and BS remedy every day.

This is nail fungus. I had it for 12 years. I tried everything... Wasted $1300 on the pin point laser treatment... The nail lacquers... Nothing worked... I also take meds for my thyroid. It was just on two of my toes. I got so tired of it I went and got the Rx from my doctor... For only $5! 3 months later.. My toes look great and my liver from the meds is fine. Nothing u do.. Will get rid of it... Trust me... I have tried them all.

I need more information about this nail separating issue. What is Ted's BS remedy? I know what the ACV means, (apple cider Vinegar).

I have noticed recently that I have this painful finger tip issue and they hurt bad. I have put my fingers into ACV and then I dipped them into DMSO and that was a strange experience. I don't know if it helped or not. but I have a little relief now. Anyone with experience with painful finger tips?

I have been biting my nails for years, and have tried various remedies. Even to the point of wearing gloves while watching t.v. or just relaxing. Please does anyone have a tried and true method? I will be grateful for the feedback.

My objective here is to gather some sites that I have found on the issue of finger nail problems.

http://www.handresearch.com/finger-nails/nail-tutor-start.htm

www.aafp.org/afp/20010315/1113.html

I found that in the last paragraph it states that Acetic acid soaks (white vinegar?) were helpful.

What kind of plaster did you secure it with?

I use Earth Clinic for so many of the wonderful remedies. Yesterday I hit my middle toe on my right foot and immediately the nail turned purple. It's very sore to the touch and I wondered if anyone knows of anything that might help me keep my toenail from falling off. I have an appointment for my very first manicure and pedicure 2 wks from now and i hate to go with a black nail ready to fall off. Any suggestions?

Like a blood blister under your nail? If it's what Im thinking of, its filled with blood under there making it sore. This is what my husband does when he crushes his finger in something and gets one of those; he heats up a needle red hot, and pushes slightly on the nail, very slightly. The needle should slip right through, into the blood pocket so it wont hurt anything. The pressure is relieved, and no further damage is done. He once did this to his aunt's foot after she hurt it, and the blood squirt like 5 feet into the air! Talk about pressure!

That's exactly what the Doctor in ER did to me but he used a large Paper Clip and shoved it right through my fingernail! While it was painful at that moment I was relieved of the pain and pressure.

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.

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!

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!

Why do I get black lines under thumb nails? Need to know what black lines under thumb nails could be caused by and treatment to get rid of this.

Very interesting question and sorry, I have no idea what the answer is to that one. Sounds like some kind of deficiency or heavy metal toxicity. We need to locate a page on the web that has all the things that happen to nails and what they mean.

While we're on this subject, I have 2 toenails growing in pure white on my right foot. Can nail fungus appear as white or is this indicative of another condition? Thanks.

This is the precursor of nail fungus. Treat it now before it worsens.