Cracked Nails: Causes, Treatment & Help

Quite a few people are affected by cracked nails. Fingernails can become brittle and fragile, causing them to tear again and again, which is often perceived by sufferers as very annoying. This is often due to nutritional deficiencies or incorrect care measures, but is quite easy to get under control.

What are cracked nails?

People with cracked nails, often have the greatest difficulty to grow their fingernails a little longer, achieving an even length of all nails is almost impossible. Cracked nails are generally not very resistant. At the smallest stresses, the fingernail cracks and sometimes breaks off completely. Sometimes inflammation occurs, depending on how deeply a nail is torn. Affected people usually have brittle or very soft fingernails, cracks or splitting of the nails occur, whereby the individual nail layers detach from each other. People with cracked nails, often have great difficulty to let their fingernails grow a little longer, achieving an even length of all nails is almost impossible. Fingernails – and also toenails – are made of keratin, a particularly resistant and hard material of our body. However, the resistance of keratin is negatively affected by certain factors. The nail can then no longer withstand everyday stresses and cracked nails develop.

Causes

Cracked nails are caused by various factors. Nutrition plays an important role, because the keratin can only remain resistant if the body is supplied with sufficient nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Often a biotin deficiency is the cause of cracked nails. But the also care of hands affects the growth of fingernails. Very frequent hand washing, deprives the entire hand of a lot of moisture. If not counteracted with hand creams, the nail also dries out, it loses resistance and becomes brittle. Cosmetic products such as nail polishes and nail polish removers can also damage the nail and cause cracked nails. Acetone is contained in many nail polish removers and dries out the nail, non-quality nail polishes can likewise trigger damage to the nail substance. In addition to these main causes, cracked nails can also be caused by hormonal fluctuations, prolonged stress and hereditary factors.

Diseases with this symptom

  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Iron deficiency
  • Nail fungus
  • Vitamin deficiency
  • Nail bed inflammation
  • Mineral deficiency

Diagnosis and course

Since cracked nails in most cases are not caused by a serious disease and very typical, visible signs exist, a diagnosis by a doctor is not absolutely necessary. Nail studios with trained staff or pedicure studios can also be contacts for problems with cracked nails. Here you can get valuable tips on the care of nails and what to look for in the diet. A professional manicure or pedicure can also be performed there, so that all nails can start the further treatment with the same conditions. As a rule, cracked nails can be treated very well if appropriate things are observed in hand care and nutrition. The earlier the problem is recognized the faster a success will also show itself, if appropriate measures are introduced.

Complications

In most cases, cracked nails do not cause complications. A defective nail does not represent a dangerous condition for the body and therefore does not necessarily need to be treated. However, a cracked nail can cause pain when the nail is inserted. For most patients, cracked nails also lead to decreased self-esteem, as they are considered unaesthetic. This can lead to depression or other psychological problems in particular. Medically, a cracked nail represents at problem. This can be strengthened with the help of drugstore remedies. If the nail is very badly damaged, it can be completely removed by the doctor and will grow again. Therefore, cracked nails do not cause further complications. In case of psychological discomfort due to cracked nails, it is necessary to consult a psychologist.In most cases, the cracked nails are caused by a constant chewing or the lack of certain nutrients or vitamins. Here, a healthy diet has a positive effect on the cracked nails. In the case of constant biting, a doctor should likewise be consulted to treat the psychological symptom.

When should you go to the doctor?

Cracked nails often have harmless causes and can usually be remedied by dietary measures and care products. If dietary supplements, hand creams and Co. show no effect, the nails should be examined in a professional nail or foot care studio. Medical clarification is recommended if the nails are excessively brittle and are already damaged by light loads. A doctor must also be consulted in case of inflammation, cuticle injuries or splitting of the nails. Accompanying symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue indicate deficiency symptoms, which are best treated with professional support. In the case of cracked nails, which cannot be attributed to any clear cause, there may be an underlying hormonal imbalance or a metabolic disease such as diabetes mellitus, which must be treated medically in any case. Brittle and cracked nails during pregnancy should be discussed with the gynecologist. If an iron or vitamin deficiency or other illness is suspected, a visit to the doctor is always recommended. In most cases, nail problems can be quickly and easily remedied by administering folic acid and biotin supplements.

Treatment and therapy

Cracked nails can be treated in many different ways. In pharmacies and drugstores, there is a wide range of products for the nails. In addition to dietary supplements in the form of capsules, tablets or powder to strengthen the nails, such as biotin, there are also various care products available that harden the nail. In addition to nail hardeners in the form of nail polish, certain hand creams also promise a positive effect on the fingernails and make the nail more resistant. But even with quite simple home remedies cracked nails can be well treated and significantly reduced. Very popular and effective is olive oil. The nails can be rubbed with it, but also a bath in some warmed olive oil does hands and nails good. Not only does it moisturize the hands, it also makes them supple and makes the nails shiny. Nettle tea and horsetail tea also have a positive effect on nails. Both teas contain silicic acid, which nails absolutely need for growth. Also the application or intake of Schuessler ointment No. 1 or Schuessler salt No. 1 can improve the nail appearance and prevent cracked nails. In particularly bad cases, professional products from nail or foot care studios can achieve a good effect and improvement.

Outlook and prognosis

Cracked nails usually do not represent a condition dangerous to health and therefore do not necessarily need to be treated by a doctor. However, they do not appear aesthetically pleasing and can therefore lead to decreased self-esteem in the patient. The affected person can no longer perform many everyday tasks because the nails cannot withstand the strain. Treatment by the doctor is not necessary per se. The patient can have the nails strengthened by means from the drugstore or during a manicure. Often, the cracked nails occur due to a poor diet and can be prevented and treated by switching to a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and nutrients. As the nails grow back, the symptom does not lead to any particular complications or difficulties and can be combated within several days. Treatment leads to a positive course of the disease.

Prevention

To prevent cracked nails every person can take simple measures. A balanced diet that regularly provides the body with all the essential vitamins and minerals is good for the whole organism. This also strengthens the nails. In addition, good hand care is very important. Re-greasing cleansing products do not dry out the skin as much as conventional soaps, in addition, a greasy hand cream should be applied regularly.

What you can do yourself

Cracked nails make an unkempt impression and can be signs of a disease. Numerous care tips are helpful.A common reason for brittle nails is biotin deficiency, which hardly ever occurs in healthy people who eat a balanced diet. However, those who eat little fruit, vegetables and whole grain products can develop cracked nails more quickly. In this case, a change in diet is advisable. Then a healthier nail structure will become apparent after just a few weeks. Other side effects of biotin deficiency are dry, cracked skin and hair loss. Rubbing petroleum jelly into the nails overnight also provides quick relief for brittle nails. To prevent the cream from rubbing off, sufferers should put on thin cotton gloves. Acetone-containing nail polishes dry out the nails unnecessarily. Lacquers containing formaldehyde should also be taboo, as these ingredients are known to trigger various diseases. Natural cosmetic nail polish does not contain any of these harmful substances. Horsetail tea and nettle tea are rich in healthy plant active ingredients and silica, which has proven beneficial for nail problems. Unsaturated fatty acids in the form of high-quality oils or fatty fish such as mackerel and salmon can also improve nail health. Tea tree oil is helpful for nail fungus. The oil is antibacterial and also kills fungus. It works best when applied to softened nails after showering or bathing.