Acrylic Nails On Split Nail

How to Treat Split Nails

What is a Split Nail?

A split nail, also known as onychoschizia, is a vertical or horizontal crack through the fingernail. It can be caused by a number of factors, including injury, infection, or exposure to harsh chemicals. Split nails can be painful and unsightly, but they are usually not serious and can be treated at home.

What Causes Nails to Split?

There are a number of factors that can cause nails to split, including:

• Injury: A nail can be split if it is hit or crushed. This can happen during sports, work, or other activities.
• Infection: A nail can also split if it is infected by a fungus or bacteria. This can cause the nail to become weak and brittle.
• Exposure to harsh chemicals: Exposure to harsh chemicals, such as those found in cleaning products or nail polish removers, can also cause nails to split.
• Weak or brittle nails: Some people have nails that are naturally weak or brittle. This can be due to genetics, aging, or certain medical conditions.

How to Treat Split Nails

There are a number of ways to treat split nails, including:

• Trim the nail: If the split is small, you can simply trim the nail to remove the split part.
• File the nail: If the split is larger, you can file the nail to smooth out the edges and prevent the split from getting worse.
• Apply a nail strengthener: A nail strengthener can help to strengthen the nail and prevent it from splitting.
• Use a cuticle cream: A cuticle cream can help to keep the nails and cuticles moisturized and healthy, which can help to prevent splitting.
• Avoid harsh chemicals: Avoid exposure to harsh chemicals, such as those found in cleaning products or nail polish removers.

When to See a Doctor

In most cases, split nails can be treated at home. However, you should see a doctor if the split is severe, if it is causing pain, or if it does not improve with home treatment.