What Causes Fingernails to Split Down the Middle: A Comprehensive Examination of the Causes
By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
When we speak about overall health, we cannot ignore our nails. Distressing events like nail splitting can cause alarm. These can be unsightly and could be painful as well. In this article, we’re going to delve into the nail health world. We’ll discuss how to keep our nails strong and good-looking.
We’ll try to understand what is nail structure and why it’s vital. Next, we’ll discuss why nails might split. Lastly, we’ll talk about the complications one could face due to severe nail splits. We will also discuss some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Did You know?
1. Nail anatomy
Our nails consist of a tough, protective protein named keratin. This protein forms our hair and skin’s outer layer too. Here are some crucial parts of our nail unit.
2. Chemical composition of nails
Our nails are mostly made up of keratin protein, which give them their toughness. They also contain tiny amounts of different minerals. These include zinc, iron, and calcium. These elements add to the strength and health of our nails.
3. Growth process of nails
Nail growth starts in the matrix. Special cells here make keratin and push older cells towards the nail tip. As these old cells get filled with keratin and are compressed, hard nail plates are formed. These appear on the surface. Fingernails generally grow around 3 millimeters each month. Toenails have a slower growth rate.
Nail splitting, or onychoschizia, occurs due to several reasons. The most common factors can be classified into category-based causes. These categories include factors related to moisture, behaviour, injury, infection, and age. They also include underlying medical issues and nutrient deficits.
Contact with water and moisture-rich areas might significantly affect your nails health and appearances.
Frequently wetting your hands, like when washing dishes or bathing, can weaken nails. This can cause nail splitting and brittleness. Long exposure to water lets the nail plate absorb moisture. This moisture then evaporates, drying the nails and making them prone to damage.
Some nail polishes and nail polish removers have harsh chemicals. These could strip the nail of its natural oils, leading to dryness and splitting eventually. Choose gentle, acetone-free nail varnish removers and hydrating nail varnishes to avoid nail damage.
Living in a dry place can make nails dehydrated. This could lead to splitting. Using a humidifier at home and applying moisturizers for hands and nails regularly can maintain healthy nail hydration levels.
Split nails could occur due to some habits and grooming practices.
Biting or picking at nails can stress the nail, causing small cracks. These could then lead to severe splits. Stopping these habits and finding healthier ways to cope may lower the risk of such nail splits.
Mistakes while trimming and filing nails can weaken them. To avoid nail splits, trim your nails with sharp nail clippers. Use a nail file in one direction, rather than sawing back and forth.
Having fake nails on for a long time can weaken the real nail. This might make them more likely to split. Giving your nails a break from fake enhancements is key to keeping them healthy.
Injuries can cause split nails. They could result from sudden or repeated trauma.
Sudden events like stubbing a toe or smashing a finger can cause direct damage to nails. This could result in splitting. Taking care to protect fingers and toes, and avoiding risky actions may avoid sudden nail injuries.
Minor injuries that occur again and again, like typing or playing musical instruments, can weaken nails over time. Recognizing and reducing these actions is key to avoiding nail splits due to long-term injuries.
Jobs or activities that need a lot of hand or foot contact might raise the risk of nail damage and splitting. Using the right safety gear, like gloves or closed shoes, can lower the risk of job-related nail injuries.
Infections can weaken the nail and raise the risk of splitting.
Bacterial infections, like paronychia, could cause swelling and weakness of the nail. Proper hygiene and prompt management with antibiotics in consultation with a dermatologist are vital.
Onychomycosis, a fungal infection affecting the nails, could cause nail thickening, change of colour, and splitting. Clean foot habits, avoiding damp areas, and early management with anti-fungal drugs prescribed by a doctor can help reduce such infections.
Nail problems are common in people with psoriasis. This could cause nail changes, such as pitting or crumbling, leading to nail splitting. The right management for the base skin problem may delay nail issues due to psoriasis.
Some health conditions affect nail health and make splitting more likely.
Both underactive (hypo) and overactive (hyper) thyroid can cause changes in nail health like brittleness or splitting. Diagnosis and management of these conditions may improve nail health.
Low iron levels can cause various symptoms like brittle, weak, and splitting nails. If iron deficiency anemia is suspected, consult a healthcare professional for evaluation and management.
Some autoimmune diseases, like lupus, can cause nail issues, including splitting. Management of the base autoimmune problem is key in dealing with related nail problems.
Shortage of certain vitamins and minerals can lead to bad nail health.
Biotin plays a key role in keeping nails healthy. Shortage can cause splitting, brittleness, and weakness. Getting enough biotin in the diet or through dietary supplements may help strengthen nails.
Nails are mostly made up of protein (keratin). A diet lacking in protein can lead to weak and splitting nails. Make sure you include enough sources of protein in your diet to encourage healthy nail growth.
A balanced diet with enough zinc, calcium, and other necessary nutrients may avoid nail splitting. It also supports overall nail health.
Age-related changes can cause our nails to split.
As we age, our nails grow more slowly. They may become more prone to damage and splitting. These age-related structural changes in the nails might need special care to maintain healthy nails.
Growing older can affect blood flow, especially to our hands and feet. Lower blood flow can lead to weak nails and splitting.
As we get older, our skin loses its elasticity, moisture, and thickness. This could affect the health of our nails, causing them to split.
According to studies, the entire thickness of the nail plate is involved in a longitudinal fissure that characterises split nails (SN), an uncommon nail condition. In my experience, direct injury to the nail plate or matrix insult might result in longitudinal nail splitting.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Also Read: Brittle Nails: Causes, Symptoms, and Proven Solutions
While many nail splits may be managed at home, some cases might turn severe. These might need medical help.
Here are the symptoms you might see if your split nail is very bad.
An extensive or deep split nail can cause a lot of pain. This can make doing daily tasks hard and uncomfortable.
A serious nail split might cause redness or swelling around the nail.
If a nail split isn’t treated right, it might get infected. Signs include redness, pain, and swelling that gets worse. You might also see pus form or smell a bad odour.
Not treating a severe nail split properly or ignoring it can lead to worse problems.
Not treating a nail split can cause chronic infection of the skin around the nail. This is known as paronychia. It can be painful, look ugly, and be hard to manage.
If a serious nail split isn’t looked after right, it could cause permanent harm to the nail bed beneath it. This may change future nail growth and how the nail looks.
A severe nail split could also harm the nail matrix, which is responsible for nail growth. This harm could change the look and structure of the nail in a permanent way.
I recommend treating your nails with care. Using an extremely fine file, shape and file the nails, then gently curve the tips. Filing snags abnormalities on a daily basis helps stop additional splitting or breaking. When using metal tools to press back the cuticle, stay away from the nail surface. In order to avoid splitting nails, if the nails are “buffed,” do it in the same direction as the nails grow rather than “back and forth.”
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Caring for nails properly may play a big role in avoiding nail splits. It also helps promote overall nail health.
Good nail care habits may help keep your nails strong and healthy.
Use clean and sharp nail clippers to trim your nails. You should trim them straight across. Then, softly round the tips in a curve. Avoid cutting nails too short as this can weaken the nail and cause splitting.
When you file your nails, use a fine-textured nail file. File in one direction, avoiding saw-like motions. This stops rough edges that might lead to splintering.
Consider using products designed to strengthen nails. They may improve the toughness of nails. This minimizes the risks of them splitting.
Besides good nail care, there are some home remedies that may help recover, strengthen, and protect split nails.
Keep your nails well hydrated and moisturized to avoid splintering. Regularly using hand creams and cuticle oils may help keep moisture levels high. This promotes healthy nail growth.
A well-balanced diet that is dense in nutrients may help improve nail health. It can also lead to stronger nails that won’t split as easily. Try to consume the right amounts of different vitamins and minerals through a plate full of various color foods daily. Make sure to get biotin, protein, iron, and zinc in your diet.
Essential oils such as tea tree or lavender oil might help improve nail health. They may reduce the risk of splitting. Apply these oils to your nails and the skin around it. This may promote hydration and offer antifungal and antibacterial benefits.
In some cases, people should seek medical advice. This might be necessary if there are ongoing nail splitting or other problems.
If you notice signs of infection like getting more redness, pain, or swelling, it’s crucial to get medical help quickly. This stops further problems from happening.
If your nails keep splitting despite taking measures to avoid it. It might be time to see a doctor. This may suggest a deeper health issue that needs expert care.
If you see nail splitting plus other symptoms like tiredness, changes to the skin, or stomach issues, consult a healthcare provider. There may be other health conditions that need attention.
To my knowledge, one may protect brittle nails by wearing gloves when doing home tasks that require damp hands. One can use rubber gloves with a cotton lining.
Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
Also Read: What Causes Hangnails: Insights from Dermatological Research
Knowing the different factors that lead to splitting nails is key to keeping them healthy and strong. We may effectively stop and manage nail splitting by dealing with root causes and taking proper care of nails. It’s good to know when it’s time to seek medical help and to understand severe complications. This ensures our nails stay strong, and in the best possible shape.
Caring for nails and taking actions to avoid damage is important. Our nails don’t just look good, but they protect our fingertips too. With the right care and attention, we may keep our nails healthy and enjoy having strong, good-looking fingertips.
Being good at caring for your nails, keeping them moisturized, and eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals may help make nails stronger and avoid splitting. You can also try using nail strengthening products and essential oils for further support to healthier, stronger nails.
It’s best to use gentle and moisture-rich nail polish formulations or nail strengthening products to reduce damage to nails. Remember to give your nails a break from nail cosmetics now and then. Be careful when you use nail polish removers. Choose acetone-free types whenever possible.
Use clean and sharp nail clippers to cut your nails straight across. Then gently round the tips in a curve. Don’t cut nails too short as this can weaken the nail and lead to splitting.
The healing time for a split nail depends on how bad the damage is and how well the management options act. But, with proper care and time for growth, most splits will get better in a few weeks to months.
Yes, some drugs can cause side effects that affect nail health. Some of these include types of chemotherapy, retinoids, antifungal drugs, and blood thinners. If you’re worried about the effects of a drug on your nails, discuss with your healthcare provider. They can consider other options or additional supportive actions.
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