Ava Monroe
Nail splitting, also known as onychoschizia, is a common condition that causes horizontal or vertical splits in the nail plate. Nails can split into layers, or peel off in layers. There are many causes of nail splitting, including repeated wetting and drying of the nails, nail biting, excess moisture, injury, infection, psoriasis, and nutrient deficiency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of split | Horizontal, across the nail's tip, or vertical, splitting the nail in two |
| Cause | Overexposure to moisture, nail biting, injuries, fungal infections, underlying conditions like nail psoriasis, vitamin deficiency, or wear and tear |
| Treatment | Trimming the nail, covering the split with nail wraps and nail polish, anti-fungal medications, dietary supplements, psoriasis treatments, moisturiser, and nail hardening products |
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What You'll Learn
Nail biting
Nail splitting can be caused by repeated wetting and drying of the nails. This can be caused by doing the dishes, washing hands, or repeated nail polish use. Nail biting can also cause nail splitting. Other causes include excess moisture, infection, injury, psoriasis, vitamin deficiency, nutrient deficiency, wear and tear, or fungal infections.
While nail biting may seem like a simple behaviour that can be stopped easily, many children with the habit have tried and failed to stop. This can lead to frustration for the child and their family. Recent studies suggest that nail biting is not caused by anxiety, but rather by boredom or working on difficult problems.
If you are struggling with nail biting, there are several strategies you can try to break the habit. These include keeping your nails short and clean, using nail hardening products, and moisturising your nails and hands. You can also try to identify the triggers for your nail biting and find alternative behaviours to substitute the habit, such as chewing gum or smoking. If nail biting is causing you significant distress or impacting your life, you may benefit from seeking professional help, such as counselling or therapy.
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Excess moisture
To prevent nail splitting due to excess moisture, it is important to maintain a balance between keeping nails clean and avoiding excessive wetting and drying. Using moisturiser and nail-hardening products can help to protect the nails and prevent splitting. Additionally, keeping nails trimmed and filed can reduce the risk of splitting and help manage the condition.
It is worth noting that while moisture is a common cause of nail splitting, other factors such as physical stress, nutrient deficiency, nail biting, and wear and tear can also contribute. In some cases, nail splitting may be a sign of an underlying medical condition or vitamin deficiency, so it is important to consult a healthcare provider if the issue persists or is severe.
Overall, managing excess moisture is crucial in preventing and treating nail splitting. By understanding the role of moisture in nail health and taking appropriate measures, individuals can help maintain the strength and integrity of their nails.
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Infection
Nail splitting, or onychoschizia, is most often caused by repeated wetting and drying of the nails. This can cause the nail plate to peel off in layers. Nails can also split due to injuries, fungal infections, or underlying conditions like nail psoriasis.
Fungal infections can cause nails to split. Nails are made of a protein called keratin, which is also found in hair and skin. Fungi can infect the nail bed, the skin underneath the nail, and the nail plate, the hard part of the nail that we see. This infection is called onychomycosis and is more common in toenails than fingernails. It can cause the nail to become discoloured, thickened, and distorted, and it may also smell bad. The nail may also separate from the nail bed, a condition called onycholysis.
Fungal nail infections can be treated with antifungal medications, which may be applied topically or taken orally. Treatment can take several months, as the nail must grow out completely for the infection to clear.
Nail psoriasis is another condition that can cause nail splitting. It is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and scaling of the skin and nails. The nails may become pitted, thickened, and discoloured, and they may also separate from the nail bed. Treatment for nail psoriasis may include topical medications, light therapy, and oral or injected medications.
In addition to fungal infections and nail psoriasis, bacterial infections can also cause nail splitting. Paronychia is an infection of the skin around the nail, usually caused by bacteria. It can cause the skin around the nail to become red, swollen, and painful, and the nail may also become discoloured and distorted. Treatment for paronychia usually involves draining the infection and taking antibiotics.
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Injury
Nail splitting, or onychoschizia, is often caused by repeated wetting and drying of the nails. This can be caused by doing the dishes, washing hands, or repeated nail polish use. Nails can also split due to nail biting, excess moisture, infection, injury, or psoriasis.
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Psoriasis
Nail splitting can be caused by a variety of factors, including repeated wetting and drying of the nails, nail biting, excess moisture, infection, injury, psoriasis, fungal infections, vitamin deficiency, or wear and tear.
Nail psoriasis specifically refers to inflammation and changes in the nails due to psoriasis. It can cause pitting, discolouration, thickening, and splitting of the nails. The nail plate may lift and separate from the nail bed, a condition known as onycholysis. In some cases, nail psoriasis may also be associated with joint pain and swelling, a condition called psoriatic arthritis.
Nail psoriasis can be challenging to treat, and the goal of treatment is to control the symptoms and prevent further damage to the nails. Topical treatments, such as corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues, may be applied directly to the nails to reduce inflammation and slow down nail growth. Oral medications, such as methotrexate or retinoids, may also be prescribed to help manage the condition. In severe cases, biologics, a type of targeted drug therapy, may be used to suppress the overactive immune response causing the psoriasis.
It is important to note that nail psoriasis can be difficult to distinguish from other nail conditions, such as fungal infections or nail trauma. Therefore, if you suspect you have nail psoriasis, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a sign of a medical condition, vitamin deficiency, or wear and tear. Nails can become weak and brittle due to overexposure to moisture, which can lead to splitting.
Nail splits can be horizontal, across the nail's tip, or vertical, splitting the nail in two. They can also split into layers.
Nail splits can be caused by repeated wetting and drying of the nails, nail biting, excess moisture, infection, injury, or psoriasis.
You can often treat nail splits at home by trimming the nail and covering the split with nail wraps and nail polish. If your nails don't improve or you experience severe pain, separation, or discolouration, see your healthcare provider.
