Nails keep splitting why

Preparing for the holidays? I'm 63, and I've begun to notice a decline in the quality of my fingernails. They have numerous up-and-down ridges, and at the tips, they're always splitting.

I've heard you can tell a lot about a person's health from the condition of her nails. What does my split nails say about mine? Some changes in nails can be a sign of an underlying health problem, but the lengthwise nail ridging you describe is usually not one. It's simply a common sign of normal aging. The growth of fingernails and toenails slows as we get older, and their appearance may change. Some nails become yellowed or dull and brittle, and some or all may develop tiny longitudinal ridges.

Fingernails tend to become thinner and more fragile, while toenails usually become thicker and harder. To continue reading this article, you must log in. Picking or biting your nails can cause stress to the nail and result in a self-inflicted split or broken nail. An injury may be a probable cause for a split nail. Crushing your nail tip or bed can result in your nail growing with a ridge or split-like appearance. Fungal , bacterial, or yeast infections in the nail bed can change the texture of the nails, resulting in weakened and split nails.

Psoriasis can affect both the skin and the nails. Psoriasis can cause the nail to thicken, crumble, or split.

Up to 78 percent of people with psoriasis are estimated to experience nail issues at some point. If your nail split extends into your nail bed, you may need to visit a doctor. Your nail may have to be removed and your nail bed may need stitches. Most split nails will heal with time as your nails grow out. If your split nails are causing you frequent discomfort, consult with your doctor about treatment options.

Normal, healthy nails appear smooth and have consistent coloring. As you age, you may develop vertical ridges, or your nails may be a bit more brittle. Peeling nails can result from trauma to the nail. For this method to work, try cutting a nail sized portion of a tea bag from an ordinary bag of tea. Then, use a brush with adhesive to glue the tea bag in place.

Similar to the tea bag method, the gel and silk wrap method involves using a nail sized piece of silk wrap, placing it against the broken nail, and applying a gel coat to it. A final potential home remedy involves using a fake nail. In this case, a person can either remove the piece that is splitting off or leave it in place. Taking medication to control psoriasis can help prevent damage to the nails. In other cases, a person may have an acute infection from fungi, yeast, or bacteria.

These infections require antifungal or antibiotic treatments to help prevent further damage to the nails. There are many common causes of nail splitting, the medical term for which is onychoschizia.

Fingers and fingernails are easy to injure. People can catch them in doors, pinch them under a heavy object, or catch them on something and cause a rip.

Any number of traumatic events can cause a small or large split. If the injury is severe, it may also affect the nail bed. Wear plastic or rubber gloves over thin cotton gloves while doing all housework, including food preparation. Keep the nails trimmed short to reduce worsening of nail splitting. Soak the nails in water daily, 15 minutes at a time, to increase the water content hydration of the nails. Nail-hardening agents containing formaldehyde may increase nail strength, but they should be used cautiously, as they can cause brittleness and other nail problems.

Apply these hardeners only to the free edge growing end of the nail. Acrylate-containing hardeners are also effective, but they may cause an allergic reaction in the skin.