Ava Monroe
Cracked, split, or brittle nails can sometimes be a sign of a health problem. However, they can also be caused by regular habits or repetitive friction on the nail over time. Nails that are cracked, split, or brittle can be repaired and prevented with at-home treatments. This article will explore the causes of cracked nails and provide advice on how to treat and prevent this common nail issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Cracked, split, brittle, thin, flaking, soft, bendy, peeling, ridged |
| Causes | Ageing, overexposure to moisture, anxiety or nervousness, trauma, psoriasis |
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What You'll Learn
Cracked nails can be a sign of a health problem
There are many causes of cracked nails, including injury, harsh chemicals, psoriasis, nail fungus, or vitamin deficiencies. Women experience cracked nails twice as often as men, and cracked nails are more common in people over 50.
Moisture can also cause nails to become weak and brittle. Long-term exposure to water can cause the skin around the nail to soften, making the nail more prone to breaking, bending, or splitting. Overexposure to moisture can occur while doing dishes, washing hands, or through repeated nail polish use.
The most common reason for cracked nails is ageing. As you get older, your nails become thinner and more likely to crack. This is most common in women over 60 but can also affect men. If your cracked nails are related to ageing, you might also notice peeling and ridges.
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Cracked nails can be caused by repetitive friction
Injury, harsh chemicals, psoriasis, nail fungus, or vitamin deficiencies can all contribute to nail splitting. Women are twice as likely as men to experience split nails, and the likelihood increases with age. If an underlying health condition is causing nail splitting, it is crucial to address the condition first. Severe and repeated nail splits can increase the risk of infection and permanent nail bed damage if left untreated.
Moisture is another factor that can lead to nail weakness and brittleness. Long-term exposure to moisture can cause the skin around the nails to soften, making the nails more susceptible to breaking, bending, or splitting. Overexposure to moisture can occur during activities such as doing dishes, washing hands, or frequent nail polish use. Additionally, the habit of picking or biting nails, often associated with anxiety or nervousness, can cause stress to the nail and result in self-inflicted splits or breaks.
To summarise, while cracked nails can be a sign of ageing or underlying health conditions, it is important to be mindful of repetitive friction and exposure to moisture, which can also contribute to this issue. By understanding the causes, preventative measures can be taken to reduce the occurrence of cracked nails and maintain nail health.
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Cracked nails can be prevented
Injury, harsh chemicals, psoriasis, nail fungus, or vitamin deficiencies can all lead to splitting nails. Women experience split nails twice as often as men, and split nails are more common in people over 50.
Moisture can also cause nails to become weak and brittle. Long-term exposure to water can cause the skin around the nail to soften. The nail itself becomes brittle, making it easier to break, bend, or split. Overexposure to moisture can occur while doing dishes, washing hands, or repeated nail polish use.
Picking or biting your nails can also cause stress to the nail and result in a self-inflicted split or broken nail. This is usually a result of anxiety or nervousness.
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Cracked nails can be repaired
A split nail (onychoschizia) is a vertical or horizontal crack through the fingernail. The nail may also feel soft, thin, or brittle. Injury, harsh chemicals, psoriasis, nail fungus, or vitamin deficiencies can all lead to splitting nails. Women experience split nails twice as often as men, and split nails are more common in people 50 and older.
If your cracked nails are related to aging, you might also see peeling and ridges. Healthy nails are smooth, with no spots or discolouration. They don't have pits or grooves, although they may have vertical ridges. Nails that are cracked, split, or brittle can sometimes be a sign of a health problem.
Moisture can cause nails to become weak and brittle. Long-term exposure can cause the skin around the nail to soften. The nail itself becomes brittle, making it easier to break, bend, or split. Overexposure to moisture can occur while doing dishes, washing hands, or repeated nail polish use.
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Healthy nails are smooth, with no spots or discolouration
Cracked nails can also be a result of at-home manicures. Nails separating from the nail bed is a telltale sign that you need to take a step back from vigorously cleaning under the nail. Other possible causes of cracked nails include trauma (e.g. skiing, tennis, hiking) or certain diseases (e.g. psoriasis). Typically, nails that crack are thinner than usual. They may also be brittle and flake off in spots. Sometimes the nails may feel "soft" or bend easily.
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