A key factor in split nails is that they are extremely dry, so you need to work on hydrating and moisturizing your nails. You should have a good daily hand cream, keep your nails trimmed to a healthy length, and wear gloves whenever you are encountering harsh chemicals.
DIY fixes such as super glue, nail wraps, and tea bags can provide a quick fix, but professional treatments such as short, flexible gel nail extensions, acrylic nail overlays, and manicures can provide long-term solutions.
Splitting nails are a sign of brittle or weak nails. Nails can split vertically or horizontally. Aging, pregnancy, nail polish, injuries, and skin conditions can all lead to split nails. You can fix a split nail with clear nail polish or nail glue.
Apple cider vinegar: Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 2-3 cups of warm water. Dab some cotton in this mixture and apply it on the nails. The presence of alpha-hydroxy acids and acetic acid in the vinegar moisturises the nails and prevents breaking of the nails.
2 Nail changes in vitamin B12 deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks. The nail pigmentation associated with B12 deficiency is more frequent in patients with dark skin.
Koilonychia is indented nails. Instead of growing straight, your nails look concave, like spoons. In many people, koilonychia is a sign of iron deficiency. Usually, you can get rid of spoon nails by treating the underlying cause.
If your nails are peeling, brittle, or have vertical ridges, you may be vitamin D deficient. Dubbed “the sunshine vitamin,” one of the best sources is sunlight. It can also be found in fatty fish, beef, liver, egg yolk, and fortified dairy, orange juice, and cereals.
Nail ridges might mean a vitamin B12 deficiency
Ridges in your nails can also be warning signs of a vitamin B12 problem. Diet, age, and medications are all common culprits behind a B12 deficiency.
Using nail glue, adhere the tea bag to the broken area. Use the tea bag to connect the pieces of nail, closing the break. Add a layer of top coat to the entire nail, sealing everything in. Then, trim the tea bag to the shape of your choosing and file it down so that the edges are smooth.
Vaseline pure petroleum jelly has more skin care and beauty uses than the majority of products on the market. Most people grew up with it when they were a baby. Vaseline was used for diaper rash and to sooth chapped lips. However, the cure-all salve can reduce dry and brittle nails plus relieve dry cuticles.
Protein and calcium promote nail health, as do biotin-rich foods such as veggies, eggs, and nuts. Staying hydrated will help your nails retain moisture and remain strong. Without it, nails are more prone to breakage. Biotin is one of the B vitamins.
If your nails keep splitting, you could be low on iron, biotin, collagen and vitamins A and C. These nutrients build up nail strength and keep nail growth at a normal level.
When your body lacks calcium, your nails become thinner, weaker, and brittle. You may notice that they break easily and just don't look as healthy as they used to. Although nails and bones are made up of different substances, they're similar enough that poor nail health may be an early marker of bone density problems.
Brittle or spoon-shaped nails
Brittle nails chip and crack easily. Spending a lot of time with your hands in water or using some nail polishes can lead to brittle nails, but brittle nails can also be a sign of iron deficiency. Another sign of iron deficiency is 'spoon-shaped nails'.
"White/yellow/greenish discolouration and thickening at the end of the nail spreads gradually to involve the whole nail which may be thick and brittle," said Practical Diabetes. It added: "The distorted nail can become sharp or break off, and can dig into neighbouring toes."
Very pale nails
Healthy nails are generally pink. Very pale nails may indicate illnesses, such as anemia, congestive heart failure or liver disease.
One of the most common nutrient deficiencies to show up in nails is a zinc deficiency. More prevalent in school-age children, this deficiency can present as scattered white spots. Usually, people can take a zinc supplement for a short amount of time to clear up these white marks.
Zinc deficiency can cause Beau's lines and white spots on your nails. Iron deficiency can cause vertical nail ridges and koilonychia (spoon nails). Spoon nails have a depression in the middle, like the center of your nail was scooped out.