Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Rigidity In Nails And Greying Of Hair?
Question: Hello,
I drink alcohol at the weekend in large amount.
I have a few grey hairs appear last 2 years and mcv was at 100 on blood test, everything else was fine. Suspected vitamin b deficiency? I take vitamin b complex since this year and mcv fell to 98. But my nails also started getting rigid. So I think biotin is needed? I read that it is this vitamin for nails and hair. . But my B complex can’t have enough that I need as hairs and nails remain. So i start taking 300ug biotin in addition - but is this enough to help the nails and hair?
I drink alcohol at the weekend in large amount.
I have a few grey hairs appear last 2 years and mcv was at 100 on blood test, everything else was fine. Suspected vitamin b deficiency? I take vitamin b complex since this year and mcv fell to 98. But my nails also started getting rigid. So I think biotin is needed? I read that it is this vitamin for nails and hair. . But my B complex can’t have enough that I need as hairs and nails remain. So i start taking 300ug biotin in addition - but is this enough to help the nails and hair?
Brief Answer:
alcohol is the problem. Rest are just symptoms due to it
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and I understand your concern. The answer to all your problems is alcohol. Quit it and everything will be back to normal.
Your blood picture is almost megaloblastic. MCV is upper limit of normal and not good for the age of just 27.
Nail changes occur when liver starts getting affected. There are many changes like XXXXXXX nails, clubbing of nails and muehrcke nails.
Vitamin B complex is needed as a supplement but does not help with all the side effects. Basically we give that for B1 thiamine to prevent alcoholic encephalopathy. Regarding biotin as the cause of nails brittleness I would doubt that because that is very rare. What you have is basically early changes of compromising liver manifesting in skin.
Regarding the biotin yes it is given for brittle nails but no more than 30 mcg in a single day. Any use more than that will lead to adverse effects.
These are all early changes of alcoholism secondary to nutritional neuropathic and dermatological sequelae and worst is coming. You can control and mange all that by quitting drinking.
I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Kha
alcohol is the problem. Rest are just symptoms due to it
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and I understand your concern. The answer to all your problems is alcohol. Quit it and everything will be back to normal.
Your blood picture is almost megaloblastic. MCV is upper limit of normal and not good for the age of just 27.
Nail changes occur when liver starts getting affected. There are many changes like XXXXXXX nails, clubbing of nails and muehrcke nails.
Vitamin B complex is needed as a supplement but does not help with all the side effects. Basically we give that for B1 thiamine to prevent alcoholic encephalopathy. Regarding biotin as the cause of nails brittleness I would doubt that because that is very rare. What you have is basically early changes of compromising liver manifesting in skin.
Regarding the biotin yes it is given for brittle nails but no more than 30 mcg in a single day. Any use more than that will lead to adverse effects.
These are all early changes of alcoholism secondary to nutritional neuropathic and dermatological sequelae and worst is coming. You can control and mange all that by quitting drinking.
I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Kha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for reply.
Everything else on blood test was fine, including liver function.
I appear healthy other than the nails have some ridges on them and a few gray hairs.
I also have a good diet on the days that I dont drink.
I suffer from vitiligo, and again, this is why i suspect some deficency. I read vitamin B and vitiligo are connected, and to take large doses of it? I felt better after taking the biotin.
Everything else on blood test was fine, including liver function.
I appear healthy other than the nails have some ridges on them and a few gray hairs.
I also have a good diet on the days that I dont drink.
I suffer from vitiligo, and again, this is why i suspect some deficency. I read vitamin B and vitiligo are connected, and to take large doses of it? I felt better after taking the biotin.
Brief Answer:
vitiligo and nails could be correlated
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back
With your details provided and all work up normal and vitiligo in history these brittle nails could be correlated. Nail changes have been associated with vitiligo as well. So a dermatologist can have a look at them and guide you further.
Apart from biotin you should go for the treatment options available like repigmentation, phototherapy and surgical grafting etc.
Continue the supplements and talk to a dermatologist about other possibilities for brittle nails.
I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan
vitiligo and nails could be correlated
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back
With your details provided and all work up normal and vitiligo in history these brittle nails could be correlated. Nail changes have been associated with vitiligo as well. So a dermatologist can have a look at them and guide you further.
Apart from biotin you should go for the treatment options available like repigmentation, phototherapy and surgical grafting etc.
Continue the supplements and talk to a dermatologist about other possibilities for brittle nails.
I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
