Split nails in adults are known as Onychoschizia. This is also called lamellar dystrophy. Nail splitting more often comes with onychorrhexis. This means a longitudinal splitting or the nail plate gets ridged. A combination of these 2 diseases is known as brittle nail syndrome.
Causes Of Onychoschizia
Split nails are common and it occurs in fingernails and toenails. Generally, it happens due to the age of a person. However, there are several other factors that can cause split nails. Some of the causes are given here.
Frequent Washing
Frequent washing of hands or getting your hands wet often leads to nail splitting, which is why this issue is mostly seen with people who do indoor cleaning activities, or hairdressers, or hospital nurses as they often wash their hands from time to time
Nail Cosmetics
Another reason for nail splitting is the excessive use of cosmetics on the nail like polish, removers or solvents, and hardeners. People getting nail procedures done from time to time are exposed to various acids, cements sugar solutions, and thioglycolates which all in large quantities are bad for the skin.
Physical Injury
Physical injury can also lead to Onychoschizia.
Medical Conditions
Many times brittle nails are observed in people who have medical conditions like malnutrition, tuberculosis, some gland diseases, and Sjogren syndrome.
Signs And Symptoms Of Split Nails
⦁ Check the fingernail and toenail regularly – Nail splitting is most common on fingernails and toenails. It appears as a horizontal split between the nails or right in the center of the nail plate.
⦁ Vitamin A users – Onychoschizia is most often seen in people who consume vitamin A medications. And for the patients who suffer from lichen planus or with psoriasis.
Home Remedies For Split Nails
Although it’s a common concern for many people, fortunately, there are home remedies to prevent split nails at home. These remedies can help you to an extent. However, if the situation of your nail is worse then it’s better to approach an expert for help.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is better for both your insides of the body and for your outside body, as well as this, provides a good natural moisturizer that helps to make the brittle nails strong and helps in nurturing them.
You should take 1 – 2 teaspoons of coconut oil and make it warm and make sure it’s not boiled. Take the warm coconut oil and massage it for 5 mins on your affected nail. This will greatly help in restoring your brittle nail.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar contains high and essential nutrients like magnesium, iron, vitamins, and minerals in large quantities. This has antifungal and antiseptic properties which help the brittle nail grow back.
You should take equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water in a bowl and soak your nail in it for a few mins. Repeat this process once daily for a week.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has very high antiseptic properties which fight all the unwanted materials on the brittle nail. Take one spoon of tea tree oil and one spoon of vitamin E oil and mix both of them very well and apply on the affected toenail for 20 mins.
You need to do this for a month ad twice daily to observe the results and this works as a moistening cream as well for the split nails.
Lemon Juice
The most effective treatment for brittle nails. For many people, lemon juice application might burn as this contains high amounts of anti-septic agents.
One should take 3 – 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and mix it with olive oil and heat it gently. Apply this on your nail and let it be for an overnight. The changes will be visible in a span of 2 weeks if applied daily.
Sea Salt
Sea salts should be added with few drops of lemon juice and water and you need to submerge your nail into it and keep it there for 15 mins. Do this 3 to 4 times a week and slowly you will see the results.
Onychoschizia/split nails is not a major issue, but it gets worse if the cracks get filled with bacteria and fungus, One should visit a doctor or a health care professional if there is a pain to too much irritation on the nail.