Can persistent exposure to saltwater negatively affect the integrity of one's fingernails and toenails?
While I have had my cert for many years, I have only been diving regularly this past year (100 dives the past 12 months, all but a few in saltwater). During that time, I have noticed an increasing tendency for my fingernails and toenails to split or crack longitudinally.
I have never experienced a problem with my nails before, and during this time my diet has not changed, my medications have not changed, and I have always taken a multivitamin supplement daily. The nails are otherwise well tended; being a guy, I don't expose them to the kinds of harsh chemicals and toluenes, etc. involved in nail colors or polishes. I do wear gloves and boots 90% of the time I dive, so I suppose there is the added factor of neoprene exposure. The nails otherwise appear normal and healthy.
The only significantly different factor I can think of is the added exposure to saltwater, and/or some other internal biological process related to regular diving. Well, that and aging a year from 42 to 43.
1) Is there any known diving-related cause for this? and if so (or regardless),
2) What is the best way to treat this condition?
>*< Fritz
While I have had my cert for many years, I have only been diving regularly this past year (100 dives the past 12 months, all but a few in saltwater). During that time, I have noticed an increasing tendency for my fingernails and toenails to split or crack longitudinally.
I have never experienced a problem with my nails before, and during this time my diet has not changed, my medications have not changed, and I have always taken a multivitamin supplement daily. The nails are otherwise well tended; being a guy, I don't expose them to the kinds of harsh chemicals and toluenes, etc. involved in nail colors or polishes. I do wear gloves and boots 90% of the time I dive, so I suppose there is the added factor of neoprene exposure. The nails otherwise appear normal and healthy.
The only significantly different factor I can think of is the added exposure to saltwater, and/or some other internal biological process related to regular diving. Well, that and aging a year from 42 to 43.
1) Is there any known diving-related cause for this? and if so (or regardless),
2) What is the best way to treat this condition?
>*< Fritz