Wear Warm Gloves During Cold Weather
While water, acetone, and other harsh chemicals will make your nails dry and brittle, causing them to split, cold weather can also make this condition worse, especially when you go outside without warm gloves.
Nails are made of layers. In the winter, dry air permeates the layers, leaving them so brittle that even the slightest impact, like striking a computer keyboard, can cause them to break.
To prevent this, you should always wear warm gloves during cold weather.
Repairing Your Split Nail
How Do I Stop My Nails From Splitting Down The Middle
Is it possible to prevent split fingernails?
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Keep Your Fingernails Dry
Keeping your fingernails dry is much easier said than done. Handwashing alone will exposure your nails to water repeatedly throughout the day. However, practicing a routine of thoroughly drying and applying lotion to your hands and cuticles after exposure to water will better maintain your nail strength and quality.
If you prefer long baths to showers, consider switching your routine to prevent soaking your nails in water for a prolonged period. While these changes might seem excessive, avoiding moisture is one of the most effective ways to stop premature nail splitting.
Can A Split Nail Grow Back Together

This depends on how severe the split nail is. If it is extensive, getting close to or all the way to the nail bed, then it isnt possible. Thats when you need to visit your doctor. If you have minor nail splitting, as long as you take better care of your nails, then as they grow, they will heal and be healthy again.
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Proper Care Is The Most Important Factor In Nail Health
According to the 2007 report by Dr. N. Scheinfeld, Dr. M.J. Dahdah, and Dr. R. Scher from the Department of Dermatology in Columbia University:
Find out how to identify whether your nails are weak or brittle.
You might be interested to know that brittle nails are not the same as weak nails. They are quite opposite, but both problems will cause your nails to break easily.
Common Horizontal And Vertical Split Nails Causes
Nail splitting is often caused by repeated trauma or pressure which applied to the nail. Fingernails and toenails are made of a protein called keratin. Weakness and splitting of the nail may also be caused by various nutritional problems and lack of vitamins, minerals, and proteins. There are more reasons for weak, brittle nails such as exposure to chemicals, nail cosmetics, lack of moisture or on the other hand repetitive wetting of hands and nails.
Trauma Injury or trauma can damage the nail bed and matrix. Both horizontal and vertical nail splits can occur as a result of hits, injuries or severe pressure to the nail. Read Our Tips on How To Repair Damaged Nail Bed After Acrylics, Gels Or Injury.
Repetitive wetting& drying hands repetitive washing and drying are a known cause for having dry, soft, splitting nails. Therefore, onychoschizia is a very common situation among those who work with water, such as nurses, cleaners, and hairdressers.
Nail cosmetics some nail products such as acetone-based nail polish removers can be the reason for dry and split nails, some hardeners and nail polishes can also be the cause.
Exposure to chemicals exposure to salts, solvents, alkalis and acids which can often be found in our household cleaning products, can damage our nails.
Health problems Dry and brittle nails can occasionally occur in those who suffer from Health issues such as fungal infection, hypothyroidism, Psoriasis, diabetes and more.
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Treating All My Nails From Cuticle To Tip
My main concern was alleviating the recurring ridges and chips along the tip of my nails, but I knew I had to treat my cuticles with a lot more respect to end the cycle of weak nails for good. Cuticles play an important role by protecting your nail from bacteria. I kept my cuticles moisturized with my nails and more importantly, I stopped pushing my cuticles back with sharp metal objects.
You Pick Off Your Nail Polish
Peeling off polish when your manicure starts to chip isnt just getting rid of a pretty coat of polish. Youre also removing part of the top layer of your nails, leading to thinning. Hey, were all guilty of doing this from time to time, but were just here to warn you: your nails will suffer. It can take months for your nails to grow back healthy. No thanks!
The fix: Do not, we repeat, do not peel off your nail polish. Try a non-acetone polish remover to take off traditional nail polish without weakening them any further.
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How Can One Stop Nails From Splitting Horizontally
While there isnt much you can do about an already split nail, apart from fixing artificial silicon nails. But there are various ways by which you can actually stop your nails from splitting.
- Clean Hands and Nails Regularly
This is probably one the most basic nail care tip. Hands look beautiful when the nails are kept neat and beautiful. Wash your hands with gentle hand cleanser or soap. Use a nail scrubber to scrub your nails from both tops and under .
Tip: for shiny and well-kept nails, apply a layer of petroleum jelly over the nails before going to bed. This will make your that your nails are well moisturized.
- Keep Your Hands and Nails Moisturized During Winters
Winters can be harsh for the skin as well as the nails, once you wash your hands and nails, apply a good hand cream on both hands and nails.
- Protect Your Nails with Rubber Gloves
Dishwashers are made of harsh chemicals when frequently comes in contact with your skin and nails, will make your nails a skin soft and brittle, this can also lead to color change. Similarly when doing other household chores harsh chemicals from soap and cleaning products can damage the nails. This applies while outdoor chores too, for example, while working in your garden wear gloves to protect your hands from blisters, sharp objects, thorns and also from keeping the dirt off your nails.
- Polish Your Nails
- Nail Polish Remover- The Real Villain
Apart from the above tips also make sure that
Home Remedies To Treat Splitting Nails
If you have nail damage or nail bed issues, you can perform splitting nails treatment at home to prevent future damage.
- Do daily maintenance of moisturizing and proper care for damaged and split nails
- Avoid prolong exposure to water
- Wear gloves when using chemical cleaners such as laundry and dish detergent
- Use a gentle touch when washing hands
- Increase iron levels by consuming lean meats, lentils, spinach, white beans, and fortified cereal products
- Apply lotion to hands and nails after they are in contact with water
Dry split nails can be embarrassing and can cause damage to your fingertips if not treated. Common among 20% of the female population, splitting nails can be caused by improper nail care, environmental factors, and on rare occasions, an underlying health condition. You can treat split nail beds, prevent further damage, and avoid recurrences with daily care. Treat your nails as you do your skin and teeth with tender loving care and preventive measures to ensure strong, healthy nails.
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Difference Of Vertical And Horizontal Nail Split
There are two different types of nail splitting: the horizontal and the vertical type. The difference between these two is that when your nail splits on a side crack, its called the onychoschizia or the horizontal split.
And when a split nail causes damage to its root, its called onychorrhexis or the vertical splits.
The Cause Of Weak Nails

Weak nails are nails that are too moist. The excess moisture makes your nails soft, causing them to tear easily. Though there are nail hardening products on the market, you should be aware that these hardening products contain ingredients like formaldehyde, and prolonged use of formaldehyde may cause the opposite problem: brittleness. Because of this, most dermatologists do not advise the use of nail hardeners.
People who are prone to nail damage:
- People who change their nail polish almost every day are more susceptible to nail damage because most polish removers contain acetone and formaldehyde.
- Older people also experience more nail damage because nails dry out as we age.
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Post By Casii On Mar 7 201: : 01 Gmt
Last Edit:Mar 7, 2015 13:39:08 GMT by mallie |
Deleted | hannahruth said:I have a couple of nails that actually grow split, my right hand pointer and right thumb nail. I asked my physician regarding this and he said that is was because of damage to the nail bed which could have even been in childhood and there was nothing that I could do to repair it. Ok, thank you for that information. I dont know when mine happened as it was fine the entire time I was in Japan but in the last 10 years it has deteriorated. This is good to know. Thank you for posting. |
Tea Bag Or Silk Wrap Method For Split Repair
For this method, you will use an ordinary tea bag or a silk wrap to patch the nail and join them together. Here is how:
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Do Not Cut Your Cuticles
Never cut or remove your cuticles, as this can cause inflammation and infections. Just push them back gently.
Before pushing your cuticles back, however, you should take a shower or soak your fingers in lukewarm water for 10 to 15 minutes to make sure the cuticles are soft and pliable. With a cuticle stick , gently push your cuticle back. Be careful not to damage it, as damage will weaken the entire nail.
Remove the dead cuticle by moving the cuticle stick in a circular motion around the base of your nail.
File In One Direction
If the file is particularly coarse, only file in one direction to avoid splitting the nail. If you can, invest in a crystal file. They seal the nail as you go, so you dont end up with any small splits. Try Leighton Denny Small Crystal Nail File, £12.50 at Boots. Its bascially the Rolls Royce of nail files.
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How Do I Stop My Toenails From Splitting
Split nails rarely occur with toenails, but it does occasionally happen, and its for the same reason as with fingernails. Dont pick at them, dont keep them in water too long, and use a moisturizer or other hydrating and strengthening product. Split toenails can result from constant pressure inside your shoe. Runners or other athletes often have problems with their nails and this is referred to as athletes nail. Women who wear stiletto heels are also traumatizing their toenails so please give your feet a rest whenever possible.
You want to keep those nails from drying out, but washing them or putting them in water is not the answer. Other factors that may cause split nails are whats in your diet, and what sort of stress or trauma is present in your life. The direct stress is also a leading factor for split fingernails. Be conscientious and do not use your fragile nails to open anything- take the time to grab a pair of scissors or whatever tool is necessary. Remember your nails are not tools.
Resist The Urge To Pick Or Peel
Just as you’re not supposed to pick at your face when you have a breakout, it’s best if you leave your fingers alone when your nails are breaking or your polish is peeling. “Try to keep a keratin-based strengthener or serum handy and apply it whenever you notice damage,” suggests Thompson. “Replace the picking habit with self-care.”
If you have gel or dip nails, avoid picking, peeling, or pulling the artificial nail off. This is not only potentially painful but can damage your nails. To safely remove them, you must soak them in an acetone solution. The acetone solution can dry out your nails, but it wont damage your nails as much as pulling off the gel or dip nails. The American Academy of Dermatology Association says that soak-off gel nails will actually cause less peeling and brittleness to your natural nails than acrylic nails, however. You can also consider getting artificial nails only for special occasions to let your nails recover in between.
If you have gel nails or dip nails, however, be aware that acetone-free nail polish wont remove them. Only pure acetone is strong enough to dissolve the artificial layer. If you have artificial nails and soak them off using pure acetone, make sure you use an oil or other hydrating lotion afterward to prevent them from getting brittle and breaking.
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How To Stop Nails From Splitting Wood
As we mentioned above, nails may split wood for various reasons. A common reason is that you may drive the nail too close to the edge of a wood piece. If the wood is overly hard or brittle, it may crack when you drive a nail into it. Or, if the nail you use is too heavy, it could crack the wood.
Here are ten helpful tips that can help you to treat your wood better while driving nails into it:
Do Not Bite Your Nails

Your nails are not always clean, so biting your nails is absolutely unhealthy. It is a bad habit that leads to split and choppy nails, bleeding, infections, and pain. Stop it! However, I know it’s easier said than done.
Here are some tips to stop nail biting:
- Get your nails professionally manicured and look at your nails to see how beautiful they are
- Use a bright color of nail polish so it’s easy to notice when you are biting them
- Chew gum or a carrot or celery stick to focus your mouth away from your nails
- Paint a nail inhibitor on your nails
Use a screwdriver, not your nails, to tighten your glasses.
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