Liam Carter
Split nails (also known as onychoschizia) are vertical or horizontal cracks through the fingernail. They can be caused by a number of factors, including injury, harsh chemicals, psoriasis, nail fungus, vitamin deficiencies, ageing, pregnancy, nail polish, and skin conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of split | Vertical or horizontal |
| Cause | Damage to proteins that connect the nail layers, damage to the nail matrix, ageing, pregnancy, nail polish, injuries, skin conditions, vitamin deficiency, nail infection, underlying medical condition, repeated wetting and drying of the nails |
| Treatment | Clear nail polish, nail glue, treat underlying health condition |
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What You'll Learn
Horizontal nail splits
Horizontally split nails are usually a sign that there is damage to the proteins that connect the nail layers. This is known as onychoschizia, or nail peeling/splitting, and it can be caused by repeated wetting and drying of the nails. Nails can also split vertically, which is a sign of damage to the nail matrix, or the part of the finger that creates the nail.
There are many causes of nail splitting, including ageing, pregnancy, nail polish, injuries, and skin conditions. Nail splitting can also be a sign of a nail infection, an underlying medical condition, or a vitamin deficiency. Women experience split nails twice as often as men, and split nails are more common in people aged 50 and older.
If you have a split nail, you can fix it temporarily with clear nail polish or nail glue. However, it is important to figure out what is causing your nails to split in the first place. Severe and repeated nail splits can increase your risk of infection and permanent nail bed damage if left untreated.
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Vertical nail splits
If you have vertically split nails, you can fix them temporarily with clear nail polish or nail glue. However, to prevent them from splitting again, you need to identify the cause. For example, if your nails are dry, you could try applying jojoba oil to your nails and wearing rubber gloves when washing dishes or doing other household chores.
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Nail infections
A split nail (onychoschizia) is a vertical or horizontal crack through the fingernail. The nail may also feel soft, thin, or brittle. Nail splitting can be a sign of a nail infection, an underlying medical condition, or a vitamin deficiency.
Injury, harsh chemicals, psoriasis, nail fungus, and 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 aged 50 and older.
Onychoschizia is most often caused by repeated wetting and drying of the nails. In onychoschizia, the nail plate peels off in layers. Onychoschizia may be seen along with another common nail condition called onychorrhexis, which involves longitudinal splits or ridges in the nail plate.
You can treat a split nail, but if an underlying health condition is causing nail splitting, you'll need to treat the condition first. Severe and repeated nail splits can increase your risk of infection and permanent nail bed damage if left untreated.
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Vitamin deficiencies
Split nails can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, harsh chemicals, psoriasis, nail fungus, vitamin deficiencies, ageing, pregnancy, nail polish, skin conditions, and repeated wetting and drying of the nails.
In addition to these specific vitamins, overall nutritional deficiencies can also impact nail health. For instance, iron deficiency anaemia has been linked to nail abnormalities, including nail splitting and brittleness. Ensuring adequate intake of iron, as well as other essential minerals like zinc and calcium, is important for maintaining nail strength and preventing splitting.
While vitamin deficiencies can be a contributing factor to nail splitting, it is important to note that they are not the only cause. Other factors, such as exposure to harsh chemicals, nail trauma, and certain medical conditions, can also lead to nail splitting. Therefore, if you are experiencing persistent or severe nail splitting, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
To address vitamin deficiencies that may be contributing to nail splitting, it is recommended to adopt a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients. Foods such as eggs, nuts, seeds, citrus fruits, dark leafy greens, and lean meats are excellent sources of the vitamins and minerals mentioned above. Additionally, supplementing with specific vitamins or minerals, under the guidance of a healthcare professional, may be beneficial in addressing any deficiencies and improving nail health.
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Skin conditions
A split nail (onychoschizia) is a vertical or horizontal crack through the fingernail. Horizontally split nails are usually a sign that there’s damage to proteins that connect the nail layers. On the other hand, vertically split nails can be a sign that there’s damage to the nail matrix, or the part of the finger that creates the nail.
There are many causes of nail splitting, including ageing, pregnancy, nail polish, injuries, and even some skin conditions. For example, onychorrhexis is a common nail condition that involves longitudinal (across the length of the nail) splits or ridges in the nail plate. Onychoschizia, commonly known as nail peeling or nail splitting, is a condition that causes horizontal splits (across the width of the nail) in the nail plate. Onychoschizia is most often caused by repeated wetting and drying of the nails.
In addition, 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. You can treat a split nail, but if an underlying health condition is causing nail splitting, you'll need to treat the condition first. Severe and repeated nail splits can increase your risk of infection and permanent nail bed damage if left untreated.
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Frequently asked questions
A split thumbnail can be a sign of damage to the proteins that connect the nail layers.
Horizontally split nails are usually a sign of damage to the proteins that connect the nail layers.
Vertically split nails can be a sign of damage to the nail matrix, or the part of the finger that creates the nail.
There are many causes of split thumbnails, including ageing, pregnancy, nail polish, injuries, and skin conditions.
You can fix a split thumbnail with clear nail polish or nail glue, but these are only temporary solutions. If an underlying health condition is causing the nail splitting, you'll need to treat the condition first.
