Splitting nails can signal deficiencies in nutrients like biotin, iron, zinc, protein, calcium, and B vitamins, but also stem from external damage (water/chemicals) or skin conditions like eczema/psoriasis; addressing it involves a balanced diet rich in these nutrients, keeping nails moisturized, and limiting water exposure, though consulting a doctor is best to rule out underlying issues or confirm deficiencies before supplementing.
Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies
If you're not getting enough biotin or calcium, you may notice nail splitting and other nail changes.
Nail splitting, or onychoschizia, occurs due to several reasons. The most common factors can be classified into category-based causes. These categories include factors related to moisture, behaviour, injury, infection, and age. They also include underlying medical issues and nutrient deficits.
A magnesium deficiency can result in weak, flaky nails that are prone to breakage.
Ask your healthcare professional about biotin.
Some research suggests that the nutritional supplement biotin might help strengthen weak or brittle nails.
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.
You can treat split nails by trimming, moisturizing, and using nail wraps. Medications or supplements may also help address underlying causes.
Medium to dark vertical lines on your nails could indicate a Vitamin D and B12 deficiency. Short white lines or spots might point to zinc deficiency. Brittle nails that easily break could mean you're low in calcium and biotin.
Those little white spots on your fingernails can have several causes, one of which is a sign of zinc deficiency. If you also have any other low-zinc signs such as frequent infections, irritability, slow healing, hair loss, or skin rashes, then it may be time to considering supplementing your zinc.
Not everyone has a visible lunula. Missing lunulae can be due to genetics, age, nail thickness, or cuticle thickness. Sometimes, missing lunulae can be related to health issues, like poor circulation or nutritional deficiencies.
Let it sit overnight, then rinse away in the morning for a noticeable difference. 2) Brittle fingernails. Since our nails are made of the same enamel as teeth, toothpaste can do a lot to help them. Simply give your nails a good scrub with some toothpaste for cleaner, shinier, stronger nails.
3 Foods for Stronger Nails
Split nails can result from physical trauma, an infection, or a condition such as psoriasis. Tips to fix a split nail include using adhesive, applying a gel and silk wrap, and treating an underlying cause. In some cases, a person can take preventive measures to avoid splitting their nails.
10 Foods You Should Eat If You Want Strong, Healthy Nails
While psoriasis and fungal infections can impact nail health, dehydration is the reason behind many cases of brittle, splitting, and fragile nails. In a healthy, hydrated person, 18 percent of the nail plate is comprised of water. When this moisture level drops, the nails become brittle.
Patients with reduced plasma magnesium levels can develop soft, flaky nails that are inclined to break or split.
Liver failure nails often appear as Terry's Nails, characterized by an opaque white or "ground glass" look across most of the nail, with only a thin, brownish or pinkish band at the very tip and the half-moon (lunula) often disappearing, though other changes like ridges or yellowness (jaundice) can also occur, indicating systemic issues.
Symptoms of zinc deficiency
In case you have a calcium deficiency, your nails will often look brittle, dry, and prone to breaking or splitting easily. Those people will have a dull, weak texture and can show signs of ridges or peeling layers.
Symptoms when vitamin D is low
Fatigue. Not sleeping well. Bone pain or achiness. Depression or feelings of sadness.
Aging is one of the most common causes of tiny vertical nail ridges (onychorrhexis), which extend from the bottom of the nail to the tip. Most people have some faint vertical nail ridges when they're younger. The ridges may become more pronounced over time as the nails naturally get thinner and more brittle.
Tips For Preventing Future Nail Splits
Moisturize consistently: Dry nails become brittle nails. Use a hydrating hand cream and follow with Nourishing Cuticle Oil to keep nail beds healthy and flexible.
What are the best products for nail slugging? While there are plenty of pricy moisturizing products you can use to achieve similarly hydrating results, many experts suggest that using Vaseline for cuticles and nails is really the best bet. It's affordable, too.
Biotin: Biotin is a B-complex vitamin, also referred to as vitamin B7, coenzyme R and vitamin H. Biotin helps promote keratin synthesis, which is a major building block of the cells in your nails, hair and skin. Consuming biotin-rich food may help strengthen your brittle fingernails and toenails.