I didn't know where else to put this

[Genki Hikari]

DU doesn't have a beauty group, and this isn't a general health question really. More related to my diabetes, so here goes:

I was having bad problems with my fingernails breaking off at the quick, sometimes so far down the nail it caused bleeding. My MD was getting concerned at how often the nails were breaking, and how far down the nail bed. I was risking infections that could go out of control. With diabetes, that's always a danger.

Her first recommendation was that I wear gloves when doing housework, but I was already doing that. So she next recommended that I keep my nails polished, to strengthen them more. That did help with the breakage issue. I hardly ever get broken nails now, and when they do break, it's usually higher up the nail.

But now I'm having problems with hangnails, some of them quite painful. One source said to make sure to use an oval shape with my nails, so that the skin isn't coming into contact with the sharp edges of wider nail shapes. I did that, and it cut back on some of the problem.

Others recommended cuticle oils and using liberal amounts of lotion, every time after I washed my hands, and that's helped, too.

But still, the problem persists. I'm thinking it's the nail polish remover. I've tried acetone, non-acetone--doesn't matter. I still have bouts of super-dry skin and rough skin, all around my fingernails.

I realize this seems like a small, silly thing, but does anyone have any experience with cuticles or skin in general? Is this something that I just need to do what I can with it, and sweat out the hangnails that do come? I've never had dry skin before, so I'm at a complete loss about what to do.

My doctor can't think of anything else to do, and the internet has been no help, either. Nail pro sites only tell me to do what I'm already doing.

Help!