Sophia Delgado
Nails grow at a rate of about 0.004 inches (0.1 millimeters) per day, and it can take as long as six months for a fingernail to fully regrow. Toenails take even longer, with a single toenail taking up to a year and a half to completely grow back. While you wait for your nail to grow back, you can use at-home methods to fix the issue, such as using nail glue or a gel and silk wrap to hold the nail together until the split disappears.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average nail growth rate | 0.004 inches (0.1 millimeters) per day |
| Time taken for a nail to completely grow back | Up to six months |
| Toenail growth time | Up to a year and a half |
| Time taken for a nail to heal itself | A nail won't instantly heal itself |
| Home remedies | Nail glue, fake nails, nail filing, nail trimming, gel and silk wrap method |
| Prevention | Wearing gloves while doing chores, avoiding nail biting, keeping nails neat and trim, using a moisturizer, nail-hardening products, and cuticle care |
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What You'll Learn
- Nails grow back in three to six months, but toenails can take up to a year and a half
- Home remedies include glue, fake nails, tea bag method, gel and silk wrap method
- Prevent nails from splitting by keeping them clean, moisturised and avoiding water for long periods
- If the nail bed is affected, a person may require medical treatment
- Nail splits can be indicative of bigger issues like psoriasis or liver disease
Nails grow back in three to six months, but toenails can take up to a year and a half
A split nail is characterised by a crack forming in your nail. Nail splits can be horizontal, across the nail's tip, or vertical, splitting the nail in two. While there is not much that can be done to fix a split nail, there are ways to prevent your nails from splitting. For instance, keeping your nails clean and healthy, moisturising your nails and cuticles, and wearing gloves while doing chores.
If your nail has a small split, a quick nail-filing session will make your nails look as good as new. If your nail has a more extended split, you may have to trim it. Clip your nail just below the split, then use a nail file to even out your nail shape.
If you would rather not cut your nail, you can use nail glue to hold the broken pieces together. This is a great way to preserve your nail until you can get an appointment for a more long-lasting fix. There are other home remedies, such as the gel and silk wrap method, which involves placing a nail-sized piece of silk wrap against the broken nail and applying a gel coat.
While waiting for your nail to grow back, you may want to speed up the process. Your nails grow at a rate of about 0.004 inches (0.1 millimetres) per day, and it can take as long as three to six months for a fingernail to completely grow back. Toenails take longer to grow back, so if you lose one, it can take up to a year and a half to fully regrow. To encourage growth, you can apply a nail hardener to keep your nails strong and help them grow faster.
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Home remedies include glue, fake nails, tea bag method, gel and silk wrap method
Home remedies for split nails include using glue, fake nails, the tea bag method, the gel and silk wrap method, or simply allowing the nail to grow out.
Glue
Using nail glue can be a great way to preserve your nail until you can get an appointment for a more long-lasting fix. To use this method, start by clipping your nail just below the split and filing your nail to even out the shape. Then, apply a small amount of nail glue to the area, press the broken nail piece into place with a nail file, and hold for 10 seconds. Remove any excess glue with a cotton swab. Once the glue dries, lightly buff the surface of your nail to smooth out any bumps or ridges, then apply nail polish to seal in your work.
Fake Nails
Fake nails can be applied to just the broken nail or to all of them. You can choose to either remove the piece that is splitting off or leave it in place.
Tea Bag Method
To fix a split nail with a tea bag, start by pushing back your cuticles, carefully filing your nails, and buffing over the split. Wipe over your nails with a cleanser wipe to remove any dust and debris. Then, cut a small piece out of a tea bag that will cover the split on your nail. Apply a thin layer of builder gel to the entire nail, creating a smooth surface for the tea bag to adhere to. While the gel is still wet, carefully place the cut piece of tea bag over the split, gently pressing it down. Trim any excess tea bag material if needed. Finally, buff the nail and apply polish if desired.
Gel and Silk Wrap Method
The gel and silk wrap method involves using a nail-sized piece of silk wrap, placing it against the broken nail, and applying a gel coat. Once the gel coat is set, buff the nail and apply polish.
Allow Nail to Grow Out
Another simple home remedy is to simply hold the nail in place with glue or another adhesive until the split grows out.
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Prevent nails from splitting by keeping them clean, moisturised and avoiding water for long periods
There are several home remedies to fix a split nail, such as mending it with glue or hiding it with a fake nail. However, if the nail is severely split, causes constant pain, or appears infected, it is advisable to seek medical attention.
To prevent nails from splitting, it is essential to keep them clean and healthy. Here are some specific ways to do this:
- Keep nails clean and avoid overexposure to water: While it is important to maintain nail hygiene, overexposure to water can weaken nails. Prolonged soaking can break down the nail beds and dry them out, impacting nail growth. Activities such as washing dishes or frequent swimming can contribute to this. Wearing gloves while performing such tasks can help protect nails from excessive water exposure.
- Moisturise nails and cuticles: Keeping nails well-hydrated is crucial for their health. Moisturisers, natural oils, cuticle oils, or lotions can be applied daily to stimulate nail recovery and prevent dryness and brittleness.
- Avoid nail biting and picking: Nail biting or picking can be a result of anxiety or nervousness. However, these habits can cause stress to the nail, leading to self-inflicted splits or breaks.
- Refrain from frequent nail polish use: Constant nail polish changes, especially with acetone-based removers, can weaken nails and make them more prone to peeling, drying, and splitting. Giving nails a break from polish, gel, and acrylic applications can help them recover.
- Maintain a healthy diet: While split nails rarely occur due to poor nutrition, a diet rich in vitamins and minerals can promote overall nail health. Taking biotin supplements, a B vitamin that supports nail growth, can also help prevent splitting, but only with a doctor's recommendation.
- Consider nail-hardening products: In cases of frequent nail splitting, using nail-hardening solutions can help strengthen nails and reduce the likelihood of splitting.
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If the nail bed is affected, a person may require medical treatment
A split nail is characterised by a crack forming in the nail. Nail splits can be horizontal, across the nail's tip, or vertical, splitting the nail in two. While there's not much that can be done to fix a split nail, there are ways to prevent nails from splitting. For instance, keeping nails clean and healthy, performing manicures gently, and avoiding long periods with hands or feet soaked in water.
In the case of a severe nail split, a person may need to consult a healthcare professional. If the split nail is causing frequent discomfort, a doctor should be consulted about treatment options. Additionally, if the nail appears to be infected, medical attention is necessary to address any potential underlying issues.
While waiting for the nail to grow back, there are some at-home methods to fix the issue. These include using nail glue to reattach the nail or applying a fake nail to hide the split. However, these are only temporary solutions until the nail grows out.
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Nail splits can be indicative of bigger issues like psoriasis or liver disease
A split nail is characterised by a crack forming in the nail, which can be horizontal across the nail's tip or vertical, splitting the nail in two. While there isn't much that can be done to fix a split nail, it is important to note that nail splits can be indicative of bigger issues, such as psoriasis or liver disease.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes the body to produce too many skin cells, resulting in thick, itchy, scaly patches on the skin. It can also affect the joints and the appearance and texture of nails, with 82% of people with psoriasis experiencing nail changes. These changes can include pitting, nail bed separation, and discolouration. In rare cases, the nails may be the only part of the body that shows signs of psoriasis, but usually, a rash is present on other parts of the body. Nail psoriasis can be treated with a strong corticosteroid, calcipotriol (a vitamin D derivative), or tazarotene (a vitamin A derivative). Laser therapy is also an effective treatment for nail splitting caused by psoriasis.
Liver Disease
Liver diseases are often visible through nail changes, and nails may be the only initial signal of such diseases. For example, a white hue in the nail bed is associated with alcoholic fatty liver disease, while red/blue discolouration of nails is seen in patients with cirrhosis and Wilson's disease. Terry's nails, characterised by nail beds appearing white with a pink to brown transverse band, are commonly seen in patients with cirrhosis. Recognising these nail changes can help initiate early treatment and reduce the serious complications of chronic liver diseases.
While nail splits can be indicative of bigger issues, it is important to note that they can also be caused by more mundane issues such as moisture, infections, injuries, or simply picking or biting your nails. If you are concerned about any changes to your nails, it is always best to consult a doctor.
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Frequently asked questions
Nails grow at a rate of about 0.004 inches (0.1 millimeters) per day, so it can take up to six months for a fingernail to fully grow back. Toenails take longer, with a growth period of up to a year and a half.
You can apply a nail hardener to keep your nails strong and help them grow faster.
Yes, there are several home remedies to fix a split nail, including using nail glue, a gel and silk wrap, or fake nails to hide or hold the nail together until it grows out.
If your split nail is causing frequent discomfort, is severely split, causing constant pain, or appears infected, you should seek medical attention to fix the nail and address any underlying issues.
To prevent your nails from splitting, keep them clean, well-hydrated, and trim them regularly. Avoid biting or picking at your nails, and limit exposure to water and nail polish, as these can weaken your nails over time.
