Page Content
Why Causes Split Toenails?
Knowing what causes split toenails can help you avoid them! Though split toenails are not uncommon, it doesn’t mean that the sight of them won’t evoke some feeling of alarm or worry. Splitting of the nails can affect both fingernails and toenails, and this is characterized by a crack forming on the surface of the nail, either horizontally across the nail’s tip, or vertically down the middle, which will divide the area in two.
As your feet age, it’s expected that your nails will become thinner and more brittle. This is more evident in women over 60, but it can also affect men. In addition, in many cases when toenails split, you may find the culprit is wear and tear. You might also notice ridges and peeling around the area of your nail bed.
What are split toenails and what causes them?
Split toenails, as their name suggests, happen when the nail becomes cracked, most often on the tip or down the middle of the nail. This can be a very common problem, and there are a variety of reasons why it might occur. Some of the most common causes of split toenails include:
- Trauma or injury to the nail, such as from dropping something on your toe. (This can also happen to pinky toenails due to stubbing the pinky toe)
- Fungal infection of the nail
- Improperly fitted shoes that put too much pressure on the toes
- Excessive moisture or humidity
- Improper nail trimming: When nails are cut too short, especially on the sides of the nail bed, they can become weak and more susceptible to breaking.
- Improper filing: Careless or overzealous filing can cause splitting since it puts unnecessary pressure on certain parts of the nail.
- Poor nutrition can also be a major factor in the development of split toenails. Nutritional deficiencies can make the nails weak and more prone to splitting, so ensuring that you’re getting enough protein, vitamins, and minerals is essential for healthy nails.
- A family history of splitting toenails can also be a major risk factor, as the likelihood that the problem runs in your family increases. This might be because there are genetic components that lead nails to become weak and break off more easily, which is what causes split toenails.
- Certain diseases or disorders can also cause split toenails. These include things like psoriasis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and more.
- Overuse of nail products can lead to weakened nails prone to splitting. Improper application or removal of Acrylic toenails may have the same effect if you don’t take proper precautions.
If you’ve recently gone through any major injury or trauma that might have caused your split toenail, it’s best to see a podiatrist immediately so they can carefully examine your nail and determine what caused it. If you have an infection that has caused the split, then applying antifungal creams or powders to the affected nail might be able to help clear up your problem.
If you believe that your split toenails were brought on by fungus, then it’s best to talk to your doctor or dermatologist. They might prescribe either oral medications to take, over the counter antifungal creams, or both. To help reduce your chance of developing more split toenails in the future, make sure you’re always wearing comfortable shoes that fit well and aren’t too tight on your toes.
How to prevent split toenails
There are a number of things that you can do to help prevent split toenails from occurring in the first place. Some of the best tips include:
- Keep your nails trimmed short and filed smooth. This will help reduce the likelihood of them becoming cracked or fractured.
- Make sure your shoes fit well and aren’t too tight. Wearing ill-fitting shoes can cause a lot of pressure on your toes, which can lead to splitting.
- Keep your feet moisturized. This will help keep them hydrated and less prone to splitting.
- Try to avoid excessive moisture or humidity, as this can also make your nails more brittle and susceptible to splits.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes enough protein, vitamins, and minerals. This will help your nails stay strong and healthy.
How to treat split toenails
If you are experiencing a split toenail, there are a few steps that you can take to help alleviate the symptoms and promote healing.
Keep nails clean and dry: This is one of the most important things that you can do to help prevent and treat split toenails. Make sure to keep your nails clean by washing them regularly and drying them thoroughly, especially after showering or swimming.
File nails correctly: When filing your nails, make sure to file them in one direction only, using light pressure. Do not use a nail file to dig into the nail or scrape it back and forth; this can cause further damage and weaken the nail.
Trim nails regularly: Keeping your nails short will prevent them from catching on things, which will help keep them from splitting or cracking.
Wear shoes that fit: If your shoes are too tight or too loose, the friction of the material rubbing against your skin can cause further damage to your toes.
Use an emollient cream: To treat split toenails at home, you can use an over the counter emollient cream, which is designed to soften and smooth dry skin. This type of cream can be applied to the area around your nails easily with clean hands.
Go to a podiatrist: If your split toenail doesn’t seem to be responding well to home treatments, you should go see a doctor. He or she may be able to recommend more effective treatment options.
Split Toenails: The Right Tools For The Job
There are some specific and helpful tools that you can use to trim your nails as well. There are clippers, files, and buffers.
In order to encourage healthy nail growth , it is important to make sure that you’re filing in one direction only rather than going back and forth because this can cause splitting as well. It is also a good idea that if you’re looking for ways on how to get your nails done, such as bleaching or coloring them, that you choose a reputable salon that is known for using quality products and supplies.
Another tool that can be used in order to care for your nails is a nail buffer which will sit at the base of the nail and be used to file away any ridges and smooth out the nail.
Split Toenail Summary:
The reasons behind split toenails can be difficult to pinpoint, but they tend to stem from either genetic predisposition, damage caused by other medical conditions (such as fungal infections), or trauma (from oral medication side effects, nail bed injuries).
If you are experiencing a split toenail, there are some steps that you can take at home to help alleviate the symptoms and promote healing.
Simple nail care is an important step in preventing split toenail. If you’re looking for ways on how to take care of your nails, there are a few general things that you can do. Some people will cut their nails with a slight curve to them in order to discourage splitting. It is also important for your nails to be slightly longer than they appear because when the corner of the nail catches on things, it can cause it break off and cause pain and discomfort in your toes.
Ezoic verification = 110022