Having cracked toenails can make you uncomfortable and unable to wear open shoes because of their unsightly appearance. The split toenails can at times be painful. Cracked toenails may be as a result of neglect, for example not trimming them properly and frequently, but it can also indicate a medical condition that needs attention. The cracked toenails can be dry, flaky, crumbled or discolored. While cracked toenails are embarrassing and frustrating, fortunately, there are simple remedies you can apply to treat them. Sometimes, depending on the causal factor, medical treatment is required. The split nails can actually open an individual’s body up to harmful microbes like bacteria and fungus. Split toenails may also be referred to as onychoschizia.
Causes of Cracked Toenails
Your nails can split or crack due to different things ranging from environmental factors to diet to trauma and an infection under an individual’s nail bed.
Moisture: You may have splitting or cracking toenails due to exposure to moisture, that’s too much or too little exposure. Water tends to soften nails when it’s too much, it makes them to become weak. Leaving the nails in water for extended periods will degrade the nail’s arch, this is the location where it is easy for the nail to split. With the degrading nail, the arch of the nail loses its support leading to cracking.
If you regularly wash dishes, swim, attend to boats, fish around in water, or take frequent showers, it can subject you to splitting toenails. While you cannot stay clear of water, you need to be aware of the time you spend in there or the time the nails are submerged. Again, without water, the nails can dry out, so it’s a matter of knowing what situation is harmful to your nails.
If you stay in a location with bitter cold or dry air, it can make nails crack. In this situation, you can allow the nails to remain moisturized by regularly submerging them to water.
Unhealthy diet: Your diet can impact on your nail’s health. Issues with toenails may indicate your overall health. When the body doesn’t receive sufficient amount of nutrients and vitamins or minerals, it may make nails begin cracking. Having circulatory problems caused by something like diabetes can prevent nutrients from reaching the toenails. This, in turn, leads to splitting nails. People with iron deficiency may have nail problems like brittle and cracking nails. This is because the nails lack essential nutrients.
Trauma: It’s not uncommon to have nail injuries or trauma. Injuries to toenails can manifest in different forms. An athlete, for instance may have their nails splitting if they wear shoes not fitting properly. The daily walking can subject nails to injuries. You can even hit an object causing the nails to crack. The repeated activity of nails hitting the inside of a shoe may make them split. If you feel like your nails are experiencing trauma due to hitting of shoes, give them some break. You can give the feet time to breathe.
Fungus attack: Having a fungal infection may present with various symptoms including discoloration, foul odor, brittle and hardened nails or debris forming under the nails. An infection of this kind can cause the nails to split or crack. Toenail fungus may occur when you have moisture being trapped underneath an individual’s nail bed. In warm, moist environments, you are likely to have a fungal infection.
Because toenails are confined in socks and shoes, it creates the right environment for fungal growth and infection. A fungal infection can easily spread making the nails to lift from nail beds. If not treated, nail fungus will become worse and spread. At its worst, it can cause the nails to come out.
Toenail fungus may be indicated by small black dots appearing within the nail’s middle area. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) points out that nail fungus can bring about yellowing, cracked or brittle toenails. Walking barefoot within public showers or gym locker rooms where there is moisture can also increase the risk of having toenail fungus. Not drying the feet properly or wearing moist socks is another likely cause.
Aging: As age catches up with us, it is common to have dry, cracked toenails. The reason is that as people age, the body loses its ability to retain moisture. Nails and hair tend to become brittle and break easily.
Thyroid problem: Having an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism can contribute to brittle, cracked nails. This condition occurs along with symptoms like fatigue, rapid weight gain, and brittle hair. Though rare, hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid can as well result in nail problems.
Harsh chemicals: The chemicals people apply on their bodies can affect their skin and nails. Nail polishes, polish removers, paints, detergents, and other products contain harsh chemicals that may contribute to dry toenails leading to cracking. The nails may break in the middle or in a horizontal way.
Treatment for Cracked Toenails
There are several ways you can repair and treat split toenails. Sometimes, you may have to adjust your diet, but at other times, medical treatment may be needed if an underlying cause for splitting nails is suspected. If a nail has split wide open, probably it may need to be removed. At home, you can use the following remedies:
Nail repair kit: You can get one at your pharmacy. Generally speaking, a nail repair kit comprises some acrylic polish you apply directly onto a nail. It helps hold the nail together. An antifungal nail polish may be used after applying acrylic solution to cover up the nail crack.
Mending with material: You can take a tea bag and cut off some small piece that you use to mend the gap within the splitting nail. Apply the material over the cracking area and seal using acrylic polish. You may also use an adhesive. The material can remain in place until you have the nail growing to a point of trimming. A cosmetic nail polish can be used to cover the material.
Apply super glue: It may sound weird, but you can actually use super glue to hold together the splitting part of a nail. You just need to apply some amount of glue to the cracking area. This holds the cracking part together. Clear glue may not easily be noticeable, however, you can cover the area using polish.
Use a moisturizer: If an individual is having cracked toenail due to environmental exposure like water, chemicals, or moisture, they can try to use moisturizers. These help to soften the nails and prevent further incidents of cracking.
Soaking in vinegar: You may treat yellow, cracked nails using a vinegar soak. Take a cup of vinegar and mix with another of water then allow your feet to soak in there for about 25 minutes. Part dry the feet using a clean towel. Repeat the remedy at least one time every day until you have the yellow discoloration (an indication of fungus) clear up. But remember that fungal infections can be difficult to treat without use of antifungal medications.
Vicks Vapor Rub: Although not commonly touted as a home remedy for splitting or cracked nails, Vicks vapor rub, according to Mayo Clinic can help in doing away with yellowing and splitting caused by nail fungus. In a study involving 18 participants, it showed that Vicks vapor rub was effective in treating 56 percent of the individuals.
Biotic supplements: Taking biotin or a B-complex vitamin supplement like Appearex can help effectively treat cracked toenail according to the Medicinenet. This vitamin helps to strengthen weak nails something that prevents new and further cracking. You may want to take biotin daily as your pharmacist directs. It can take a couple of months to see the results.
Medication: If home remedies and conventional ways of treatment for cracked toenails don’t work, you can seek medical help. There are OTC medications like antifungal lacquers that you can use. Prescription medication may involve oral antibiotics like itraconazole and antifungal lacquers like ciclopirox.
Most of the home remedies are applicable if cracking is occurring because of trauma or injury. It is important to ensure that no moisture is trapped beneath a splitting nail because it can encourage a fungal infection. When doing the repair, ensure you have the entire area properly cleaned, sterilized, and pat-dried to prevent moisture from being trapped or having microbes like bacteria or fungus inside there.
