Liam Carter
A split nail is characterised by a crack forming in the nail, which can be horizontal or vertical. Nails can split due to various reasons, including injuries, fungal infections, or underlying conditions like nail psoriasis. While there are home remedies to fix a split nail, such as using nail glue or a tea bag, it is important to address the underlying cause to prevent further splitting. In this article, we will explore the different causes of nail splitting and provide tips on how to grow out a split nail effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken for the nail bed to heal after separation from the nail | 7-10 days |
| Time taken for fingernails to grow back | 4-6 months |
| Time taken for toenails to grow back | About a year |
| Temporary fixes for split nails | Nail glue, clear nail lacquer, fake nails, tea bag, gel and silk wrap |
| Causes of split nails | Injury, fungal infection, vitamin deficiency, underlying medical conditions, frequent use of nail polish, nail polish remover, gel acrylics, aging, chemotherapy medications, iron deficiency, psoriasis, frequent exposure to water, skin conditions, anxiety, nervousness, thyroid problems, diabetes, weakened immune system, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Home remedies to temporarily fix a split nail
Split nails can occur due to various reasons, including nail biting, excess moisture, injury, or psoriasis. While split nails usually heal over time as your nails grow, you can try some home remedies to temporarily fix them. Here are some simple methods you can try at home:
Using nail glue or clear nail polish
A small amount of nail glue can be applied to the detached part of the nail, and then gentle pressure can be applied to push the nail back together. Once the glue has dried, you can paint over it with clear nail polish or regular nail paint to hide the break. This is a temporary solution and can be useful in holding the nail together until the split grows out.
Tea bag and glue
Cut a nail-sized portion from an ordinary tea bag. Use a brush to apply adhesive to the piece of the tea bag and glue it onto your nail. Once the glue has dried, you can buff your nail and paint over it if desired.
Gel and silk wrap
A gel and silk wrap can be used to hold the nail in place and improve its appearance until the break grows out.
Fake nails
You can either remove the splitting part of your nail or leave it in place and apply a fake nail over it. This method can be used for just the broken nail or all of them.
While these home remedies can be useful in temporarily fixing a split nail, it is important to remember that they are not long-term solutions. If you notice frequent nail splitting or discomfort, it is recommended to consult a doctor or healthcare professional for appropriate treatment options.
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How to prevent nails from splitting
While it is not always possible to prevent split nails, there are certain precautions and lifestyle changes one can make to help prevent nail damage.
Wear gloves
Protect your nails and hands by wearing gloves if your hands are often exposed to water and wet conditions. This is especially important if you swim a lot or wash dishes frequently. The minerals in water can break down your nail beds over time and can start to dry them out, which can even impact nail growth.
Avoid harsh chemicals
Harsh chemicals like acetone-based nail polish removers can weaken your nails over time, leading to peeling, drying, and brittleness. Give your nails a vacation from polish, gel, and acrylic to give them time to recover.
Maintain a healthy diet
A diet high in fruits and vegetables provides more vitamins and minerals than one high in refined sugars. Biotin supplements, a B vitamin that promotes healthy nails, can also help, but only with a doctor's consent.
Moisturise
Use a natural oil, cuticle oil, or lotion on your nails daily to stimulate the recovery process.
File in one direction
When filing your nails, make sure you file from one direction only, starting at the outside corner. Don’t file back and forth in a sawing motion, as this can cause your nails to break.
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Medical reasons for nail splitting
Fingernails and toenails can be prone to splitting, and while this can sometimes be caused by injury, it can also be indicative of an underlying medical condition.
Infection
Nail infections can be caused by fungi, yeast, or bacteria. These infections require antifungal or antibiotic treatments to prevent further damage to the nail.
Vitamin deficiency
A vitamin deficiency can cause nails to become brittle and split. Maintaining a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals can help prevent this. Biotin supplements, a B vitamin that promotes healthy nails, can also be taken, but only with a doctor's consent.
Skin conditions
Skin conditions such as psoriasis, lichen planus, and eczema can cause nail splitting. Psoriasis affects the skin, causing outbreaks of red, scaly areas and patches. It can also affect the nails, weakening them and making them more prone to splitting. Lichen planus can also cause nail splitting, as can eczema, which can lead to dry, brittle nails that are more susceptible to splitting.
Medication
Certain medications can cause nail splitting, including chemotherapy drugs and oral medications made from vitamin A (retinoids). If medication is the cause, a medical professional may be able to determine if another medication can be substituted.
Medical conditions
In some cases, nail splitting can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Thyroid problems, for example, can cause nail splitting, as can certain gland (endocrine system) diseases, tuberculosis, and Sjögren syndrome.
If you are experiencing frequent nail splitting, it is important to consult a doctor or healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
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When to seek medical attention for a split nail
While split nails often heal as your nails grow out, there are some instances where you should seek medical attention.
Firstly, if the split nail is caused by an underlying health condition, such as a fungal infection, vitamin deficiency, or psoriasis, you should see a doctor for treatment. For example, if you have psoriasis, your doctor may recommend treating nail splits with a topical corticosteroid or vitamin D derivative treatments. If you have a fungal infection, your doctor will prescribe anti-fungal medication to kill the infection and prevent future breaks.
Secondly, if the split nail is severe, causes constant pain, or appears infected, you should seek medical attention to fix the nail and address any potential underlying issues. A severe nail split may also require a visit to a healthcare professional if it involves the whole nail, such as from a serious nail or finger injury. In some cases, a severely split nail may need to be removed, and the nail bed may need to be stitched.
Additionally, if you are experiencing frequent nail splitting, you should consult a doctor to determine if there are any underlying causes that need to be addressed. For example, frequent nail splitting could be due to overexposure to moisture, harsh chemicals, or nail cosmetics, or it could be a result of anxiety or nervousness leading to nail-biting or picking. In these cases, a doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as wearing gloves while doing chores or washing dishes, avoiding nail polish and harsh nail polish removers, or taking biotin supplements with the doctor's consent.
Finally, if your nails are brittle or fragile, it could indicate a medical condition or vitamin deficiency, and you should consult your primary care provider for further evaluation and treatment.
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How long it takes for nails to grow back
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. Nails can split due to various reasons, including injuries, fungal infections, or underlying conditions like nail psoriasis, thyroid problems, or vitamin deficiencies.
While there are home remedies and lifestyle changes to help prevent nail damage and promote nail growth, it is important to understand that nails grow slowly and that healing times can vary depending on the severity of the split and the type of nail.
If part of your split nail separates from the nail bed and falls off, it will take seven to ten days for the nail bed to heal. However, it takes much longer for the nail to grow back. Typically, fingernails take about four to six months to grow back, while toenails can take about a year.
During the healing process, you can use temporary solutions such as nail glue, clear nail polish, or a tea bag cut to fit your nail to hold the split nail together. These methods can help improve the appearance of your nail until the break grows out.
If your split nails do not heal on their own or you have multiple nails with splits, you may have an underlying condition or infection that requires treatment from a healthcare provider. Severe and untreated split nails can cause permanent damage to the nail bed and tissues, leading to abnormally shaped nails. Therefore, it is important to take care of your nails and seek medical attention if necessary.
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