A woman's hand covers a man's hand
Brittle nails can be a sign of nutrient deficiencies [Image: Earl53 via Morguefile mrg.bz/gZHgTH]

Q&A: Brittle nails

17 August, 2011

Q – Whenever I’m under stress, my finger ends split at the sides and tops of my nails.  Do I have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, or is there something that can help?

 

A – A vitamin B complex supplement will help your body to cope with the impact of stress better. Also take vitamin C and a zinc supplement as these encourage the skin to heal more quickly. To heal the area externally pop into Neal’s Yard Remedies and ask them to add 40 drops of Benzoin tincture and 20 drops of Lavender essential oil to a 200g jar of Create Ointment base. Massage this into the fingertips twice a day and this will get the cracks to heal up quickly and also relieve any pain from those little splits in the skin.