Ski slope nails

[i_am_the_scruff]

I did a search and couldn't find anything so I thought I'd make this thread.

I bit my nails all my life until about Christmas time when I decided to try to grow them. The thing is, when I did grow them they didn't seem to grow normally. I've googled it and found out I have whats called ski slope or ski jump nails. I couldn't find anything on google image so here's a couple of pictures of my nails:

First one, they look pretty normal.. except you can kind of see what I mean on my little finger:

Second picture, side view where you can really see what I'm talking about:

Please excuse my messy nail varnish! I haven't cleaned them up yet.

Apparently because I bit my nails so low (they were literally a couple of mm long) a stub of skin grew over the top and this may be why the nails grow outward instead of straight up. I find they get caught a lot which hurts. They are also very flexible so when I catch them they don't break straight away but they bend all the way back. I've tried Rimmel 2 week nail rescue but it doesn't seem to have strengthened them.

Do any of you ladies have ski slope nails? And how the heck can i get them stronger!

 

[KittyT]

For strengthening nails, I suggest a product called Pro-Strong Pro Accelerator Flouride Nail Treatment. You can get it at prostrong.com, but I suggest getting it through QVC so you can return it if you don't like it. You may also want to consider keeping your nails short until you get this sorted out. Catching them can hurt, and the only thing worse than having a nail issue is having no nail at all because the whole thing got ripped off.

However, for a nail issue like this, I would highly suggest consulting your dermatologist.

 

[i_am_the_scruff]

For strengthening nails, I suggest a product called Pro-Strong Pro Accelerator Flouride Nail Treatment. You can get it at prostrong.com, but I suggest getting it through QVC so you can return it if you don't like it.

However, for a nail issue like this, I would highly suggest consulting your dermatologist.

I don't think it's a medical issue, I think it's just how my nails grow. Plus, over here you have to be referred to dermatologists by your GP and I doubt mine would refer me for this. However I might mention it next time i'm there.

 

[KittyT]

I don't think it's a medical issue, I think it's just how my nails grow. Plus, over here you have to be referred to dermatologists by your GP and I doubt mine would refer me for this. However I might mention it next time i'm there.

I understand, but it's worth trying! Most dermatological issues are considered cosmetic - acne, warts, etc - but here most doctors will refer for them and most insurance companies will cover it. The worst they can do is say No!

 

[Grant Fan]

I do not have them ad to be honest I have never seen such a thing. It looks rather uncomfortable, have you considered keeping them cut short. Not short like they were when you bit them just cut close and then getting artificial nails? I don't know [huh] it may work.

 

[Gracie Lee]

I've read a little about this, as I was briefly studying to be a nail tech, and I vaguely remember reading that the problem is caused by years of nail biting destroying the leading edge of the nail bed. A lot of people I've known in your situation have opted for false nails, kept short. This helps keep your nails from bending backwards and ruining any healing process, and the short length should help keep you from catching them on things. Of course, you'll want to find a reputable professional who won't use a drill on your already thin and sensitive nails. But Kitty's right - for permanent healing and correcting the problem, you should get a dermatologist's advice.

 

[MarieAnne]

Congrats on quitting bitting your nails! I would keep them shorter like Grant Fan suggested. Maybe the flexibility isn't so bad if they are getting caught all the time. I would also recommend the dermatologist.

 

[i_am_the_scruff]

Thanks for your replies! I will ask my doctor about seeing a dermatologist.

My nails start growing quite far up my finger, so if I kept them cut to the tip of my finger they would look ugly because they'd be REALLY short. I don't know if that makes sense. Plus fake nails just don't appeal to me and I don't have the money for the upkeep of them.

But yes I shall look into a dermatologist and hopefully they can sort me out!