Caleb Foster
Fingernails are made of layers of keratin, a protein also found in hair. Healthy nails are smooth and evenly coloured, but nails can become brittle and prone to splitting due to a variety of factors. These include overexposure to moisture, harsh chemicals, physical trauma, vitamin deficiencies, and underlying health conditions such as psoriasis. Nail splitting can often be treated at home with adhesive, gel, or nail glue, but severe cases may require medical attention to fix the nail and address any underlying issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Physical trauma, injury, harsh chemicals, frequent wetting and drying of the nails, nail fungus, vitamin deficiencies, or an underlying health condition |
| Prevention | Wear gloves while doing chores, avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, keep nails trimmed, apply thick moisturizers or petroleum jelly, maintain a healthy diet |
| Treatment | Use adhesive, apply gel and silk wrap, treat any underlying cause, trim or file down jagged edges, apply nail glue or clear nail lacquer |
| Medical Attention | If the nail split extends into the nail bed, causes constant pain, appears infected, or does not heal on its own |
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What You'll Learn
Causes of nail splitting
Fingernails are made of layers of keratin, a protein also found in hair. Healthy nails appear smooth, with consistent colouring. However, several factors can cause nail splitting, including physical trauma, infection, or underlying conditions.
Physical Trauma
Nails are easy to injure, and any number of traumatic events can cause nail splitting. For example, people can catch their fingers in doors, pinch them under heavy objects, or snag their nails on fabric. Nail injuries can cause horizontal or vertical nail splitting.
Infection
Fungal, bacterial, or yeast infections in the nail bed can change the texture of the nails, resulting in weakened and split nails. In addition, onychomycosis, a fungal infection caused by ringworm, can destroy keratin, leading to nail discolouration, white spots, and splitting.
Underlying Conditions
Several underlying conditions can cause nail splitting, including:
- Psoriasis: a skin condition that causes outbreaks of red, scaly areas and patches. Psoriasis affects both the skin and nails, causing them to thicken, crumble, or split.
- Thyroid problems: can cause nail brittleness and splitting.
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies: nutrient deficiencies, especially iron deficiencies, can lead to brittle nails that are prone to splitting.
- Pregnancy: during pregnancy, the body needs extra vitamins and minerals to support the growing baby. Pregnant individuals may experience nail splitting due to underlying iron deficiencies.
- Medication: certain medications, such as chemotherapy, can damage fast-growing cells, including nail cells.
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Prevention and treatment
If your nails are splitting, it's important to identify the cause. Nails can split due to various reasons, including physical trauma, injury, harsh chemicals, frequent exposure to water, nail fungus, vitamin deficiencies, or an underlying health condition. Identifying the cause will help determine the appropriate treatment and prevention methods.
To prevent nail splits, it is advisable to maintain a healthy lifestyle and take necessary precautions. This includes wearing gloves while doing chores or working with chemicals to protect your nails from harsh substances. Avoiding overexposure to water is also crucial, as frequent wetting and drying of nails can lead to brittleness and splitting.
Maintaining a nutritious diet rich in vitamins and minerals, such as iron, zinc, biotin, and selenium, can promote strong and healthy nails. However, it is important to consult a doctor before taking any supplements. Keeping your nails well-hydrated with thick moisturizers or petroleum jelly can also improve nail health and prevent splitting.
In terms of treatment, fixing a split nail can be done at home if the split is not severe. Trimming or filing down the jagged edges and allowing the nail to grow back naturally is an option for minor horizontal splits at the edge of the nail. For larger splits, applying nail glue or clear nail lacquer can hold the nail together until it grows out.
However, if the split is severe, affects the nail bed, or is accompanied by symptoms such as pain or infection, it is important to seek medical attention. A healthcare professional may need to remove the nail, stitch the nail bed, or reattach the nail using stitches or glue. They can also help determine if any underlying conditions or vitamin deficiencies are contributing to the nail splitting.
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Home remedies
If your nails are splitting down the middle, it could be due to several reasons, including:
- Frequent exposure to water
- Harsh chemicals
- Psoriasis
- Nail fungus
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Age
- Pregnancy
- Nail polish
- Injuries
- Keep your nails trimmed and filed: If your nail is split horizontally, trim or file down the jagged edges and let your nail grow back naturally. If you have a bigger split, apply nail glue or clear nail lacquer to hold the keratin together until your nail grows out. Then, trim or file off the split.
- Moisturise your nails: Apply thick moisturisers or petroleum jelly to improve nail hydration.
- Nail wraps: Self-adhesive silk nail wraps can be cut down to fit the size of your nail split and secured with gel nail resin.
- Nail polish: If the split is less severe, try applying nail polish with nylon fibre to help strengthen the nail.
- Fake nails: You can apply a fake nail to just the broken nail or to all of them.
- Tea bag: Cut a nail-sized portion from an ordinary tea bag and use a brush with adhesive to glue the piece in place. Once the glue sets, buff the nail and paint over it if you wish.
- Gel and silk wrap: Try a gel and silk wrap to hold the nail in place.
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When to see a doctor
Fingernails and toenails are made of layers of keratin, a protein also found in hair. Healthy nails are smooth with consistent colouring. Nails can split vertically or horizontally, and this can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Physical trauma or injury
- Harsh chemicals
- Psoriasis
- Nail fungus
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Frequent exposure to moisture
- Frequent use of nail polish
- Pregnancy
- Thyroid problems
- Ageing
If you are concerned about any changes to your nails, it is recommended that you consult a doctor. Here are some signs that you should see a doctor or healthcare professional:
- If your nail split extends into your nail bed, you may need to visit a doctor. Your nail may have to be removed, and your nail bed may need stitches.
- If your nail can be reattached, a doctor will use glue or stitches to fix it.
- If your nail split is severe, causes constant pain, or appears infected, seek medical attention to fix the nail and address any potential underlying issues.
- If you have multiple nails with splits, you may have an underlying condition or infection that needs treatment.
- If your nails are brittle or fragile, this could be a sign of a medical condition or vitamin deficiency.
- If you are unsure about the cause of your nail splitting, or if it is due to ageing, you may need to consult a doctor as it may not be possible to prevent nail splitting completely.
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Nail care tips
Nail splitting, also known as onychoschizia, is a common issue that can occur for a variety of reasons. It can be caused by physical trauma, such as catching your fingers in a door or pinching them under a heavy object. It can also be the result of an underlying condition, such as psoriasis, lichen planus, or a vitamin deficiency. Additionally, frequent exposure to moisture, harsh chemicals, and nail procedures can weaken the nails, making them more prone to splitting.
To prevent and treat nail splitting, consider the following tips:
- Keep your nails trimmed short. This can help reduce the risk of catching or tearing your nails, which can lead to splits.
- Reduce the frequency of wetting and drying your nails. Wear gloves while doing chores or working with chemicals to protect your nails from excessive moisture and harsh substances.
- Moisturize your nails regularly. Use thick moisturizers or petroleum jelly to improve nail hydration and prevent dryness, which can make nails brittle and prone to splitting.
- Avoid biting or picking your nails. These habits can cause stress to the nail, making it weaker and more susceptible to splitting.
- Be cautious with nail cosmetics. Frequent use of nail polish, nail hardeners, and acetone-based polish removers can dehydrate and weaken the nails, making them more prone to splitting.
- Treat any underlying conditions. If your nail splitting is caused by an underlying condition, such as psoriasis or a vitamin deficiency, treating the condition will help improve nail health.
It is important to note that severely split nails, especially those affecting the nail bed, may require medical attention. In such cases, a healthcare professional may need to remove the nail, stitch the nail bed, or reattach the nail using glue or stitches.
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Frequently asked questions
Vertical nail splits can be a sign of damage to the nail matrix, the part of the finger that creates the nail. Fingernail splits can also be caused by physical trauma, harsh chemicals, or an underlying health condition.
If your nail is split horizontally at the edge, you can trim or file down the jagged edges and let your nail grow back naturally. If you have a bigger split, you can apply nail glue or clear nail lacquer to hold the nail together until your nail grows out. If your nail has separated from the nail bed, you may need to see a doctor.
To prevent your nails from splitting, keep them clean and healthy. Avoid exposing your nails to harsh chemicals and excessive moisture, and refrain from biting or picking at your nails.
