What Can Cause a Split Nail and How to Treat It (2025)

Split nails are a common problem that can occur for several reasons. They may be caused by injury, nutritional deficiency, or an underlying condition. You may be able to treat a split nail by applying topical ointments and protecting it while it heals. However, medical treatment may be necessary.Your nails are made of keratin Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source, a strong protein that also makes up your hair. Nails help protect the tips of your fingers and toes, and their curvature helps them resist injury. However, they can still become damaged or split.

This article looks at the possible causes of a split nail and how to treat it. It also discusses when to seek medical care for a split nail.

A split nail can have a variety of causes, and the split may be horizontal or vertical. Sometimes, the reason for the split is unknown.

People who must frequently expose their hands to water may experience Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source thinning nails that split easily.

Long nails are especially prone to dehydration. Nails that are frequently wet and dried can become brittle and break easily.

Chemicals used for cleaning, photography, and painting can dissolve part of the nail structure. This weakens them, leaving them vulnerable to splitting.

Frequent application of nail polish can also dehydrate your nails, leaving them brittle and breakable.

Many types of injury can cause a nail to break. These can include dropping something heavy on your toe, smashing your finger in a door, or hitting your finger with a hammer.

Wearing artificial nails can put you at risk of damaging your nails.

If you wear acrylic nails, your technician may file the surface of your fingernails to encourage the acrylic nails to stick. This can cause your nails to become weaker, increasing the risk of splitting.

Some people bite or pick their nails as a habit. This may be Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source a sign of underlying anxiety.

Picking or biting your nails weakens them and can cause them to split horizontally.

Discover tips to help you stop biting your nails.

Psoriasis is a condition that causes a buildup of extra skin cells. This can sometimes Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source affect the nails. Psoriasis can also make nails more susceptible to splitting.

Eczema is another skin condition that causes itchy inflammation of the skin. At times, it may also affect the nails. People with eczema in their nails can have thin nail beds that may crumble or split easily Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source.

Learn the difference between psoriasis and eczema.

Having a deficiency in certain minerals or vitamins may make Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source your nails susceptible to splitting vertically. These include iron, zinc, and selenium.

Learn more about how deficiency can cause brittle nails and what can cause a toenail to fall off.

A split nail can heal on its own, but there are steps you can take that may encourage healing.

Treating a split nail and preventing further damage can depend on the underlying cause. Treatments your doctor may recommend include:

• applying lotion that contains alpha-hydroxy acids
• wearing waterproof gloves to reduce contact with water or chemicals
• shaping and filing the nail to prevent it from catching
• taking vitamin supplements, particularly biotin Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source
• applying topical ointments or corticosteroid injections for nail psoriasis

Your doctor may also recommend covering your nail with a bandage to protect it from injury while it heals.

Discover more ways to strengthen your nails.

Biotin is a vitamin that may help your nails become stronger. A 2019 study Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source looked at the effects of oral and topical biotin on 48 females. Researchers discovered that participants’ nails improved in firmness, hardness, and thickness after 3 months of using biotin.

Learn more about when to take biotin.

Split nails can be related to conditions that weaken your nail beds, such as psoriasis, eczema, or iron deficiency. These conditions may cause other symptoms, including:

• discoloration of the nail bed
• thinning of the nail bed
• pitting of the nail bed
• crumbling nail beds
• patches of thick and red skin with silver-white scales
• itching on the elbows, knees, or scalp
• dry skin that cracks or bleeds
• pale skin
• fatigue
• cold hands and feet

It is important to notify your doctor of any symptoms you may be experiencing. This will help them reach an accurate diagnosis.

Learn more about fingernail symptoms.

A nail split that is deep and extends into your nail bed may require treatment from a doctor. Severe cases may require the removal of the whole nail and stitches to close the nail bed.

Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• distorted nails
• blue or purple nails
• horizontal ridges
• painful or ingrown nails

If your doctor suspects an underlying condition may be causing your nails to split, they may perform a physical examination. They may also order lab tests to check for deficiencies.

Your doctor will be able to explain any tests they order in more detail. They can also answer any questions you may have beforehand.

The following are steps you can take to lower your risk Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source of splitting a nail:

• Wear gloves: Keeping your hands dry while doing chores that require water will help your nails stay hydrated.
• Avoid frequent nail polish: Letting your nails rest between polishing can help them stay stronger.
• Stop biting your nails: Biting your nails can cause them to split or break. It is important to try to stop biting them if you regularly bite your nails.
• Trim your nails short: Keeping your nails trimmed or filed short helps reduce the risk of them catching.
• Moisturize your skin: Keep the skin on your hands and feet moisturized to prevent it from drying and cracking around your nails.
• Wear correct-fitting shoes: Wearing shoes that are too tight and pinch your toes may damage your toenails.

There are several possible causes of a split nail. A split may occur as a result of an injury or from frequent exposure to water or chemicals. It can also happen due to a nutritional deficiency or skin condition.

If your nail breaks, it is important to protect it from further damage while it heals. If your split is deep and reaches the nail bed, it may require treatment from a doctor. They may need to replace or remove your nail and treat the nail bed.

Contact your doctor if you have concerns about a split nail. If they suspect your split nails are due to an underlying condition, they may perform an examination. They may also order testing to help them reach a diagnosis and recommend treatment.