Cracked fingernail treatment. Cracks in nails: causes of the defect and methods for its elimination. Child's toenails are cracking

16-07-2016

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This article is based on scientific evidence, written and reviewed by experts. Our team of licensed nutritionists and estheticians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and present both sides of the argument.

The condition of nails can tell everything about their owner, from how he takes care of himself to his state of health. Due to certain factors, it may peel, break, change color, etc. A crack in the nail is also a sign of a negative impact on the body, both from the inside and outside.

If we talk about why cracks appear on nails, then all the reasons can be divided into two small groups:

• pathological;
• non-pathological.

Let's look at them in more detail to understand how to deal with this problem.

Cracks in fingernails can appear as a result of exposure to negative external factors. This may include:

• poor quality nail care;
• use of cheap varnishes;
• constant exposure to chemicals on the nail plates.

This is very easy to check. Examine your nails carefully. Have you noticed any other changes in them besides the presence of cracks? For example, yellow or white spots, the nail plate moving away from the bed, the presence of an unpleasant odor? If yes, then that's for sure.

Treatment of a cracked nail in this case requires the use of special medications, which should only be prescribed by a doctor. can also be used, but only in combination with drug therapy.

In addition, cracks in the nails may be a symptom of the development of:

• psoriasis;
• diabetes mellitus;
• dehydration of the body;
• inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• liver diseases;

It is very important to determine the exact cause of cracked nails. After all, if you do not eliminate it, the negative effect on the nail plates will continue, and the cracks will become more and more numerous.

If you have diabetes, it is very important to take medications that normalize blood glucose levels. In addition, it is necessary to follow a special diet for diabetics, which also has a healing effect on the body.

It should be noted that in addition to the above diseases, cracks in the nails can also appear due to hypovitaminosis. This is a condition in which the body is deficient in one or more vitamins. Most often this happens when there is a lack of vitamins A and C. You can replenish their reserves by taking special multivitamins, which should also only be prescribed by a doctor.

It is better to ask a specialist how to treat a cracked nail. Only he will be able to determine the exact cause of its occurrence and prescribe appropriate treatment. Remember that acting on your own can lead to dire consequences. If cracks are truly a symptom of disease, then you simply give it time to “take a good foothold” in your body. And then the treatment will be much more difficult and longer.

Video about the causes of cracked nails

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Cracks in fingernails can appear at any age. Why does this happen and how to deal with it at home?

It is necessary to determine the cause of the problem and try to prevent further destruction of the nail plate. A simple cosmetic “repair” of a crack can be done using glue or biogel.

Causes

Types of cracks:

• Transverse. Dermatologists call this condition onychorrhexis. Poorly performed manicure or exposure to chlorine-containing products on the hands are also possible.
• Longitudinal. This condition is called. Develops against the background of vitamin deficiency and hormonal imbalance.
• Internal. Markings inside the nail indicate mechanical damage or injury, read about. The photo below shows such a case.

The causes of cracks in fingernails can be external or internal.

External factors

In winter, frost and dry air cause cracks. To protect your hands from the negative influences of the environment, you should wear gloves before walking in cold weather.

Manicure consumables also often lead to splitting of the plates. For example, when using aggressive alkaline or acidic cuticle products and acetone liquids to remove nail polish, the nails turn yellow. 1-2 days after this, thin cracks may appear on their surface.

After careless extension, cracks occur in 95% of cases. Acrylic or gel applied in violation of the extension technology begins to put pressure on the nail plate, leading to its destruction. This procedure should only be performed by a professional. It is recommended to pre-strengthen weak nail plates with biogel.

Often cracks occur due to mechanical or chemical stress. With physical trauma, the fingernail first darkens and then may split along the plate.

Disturbances in the functioning of the body

A distinctive feature of such cracks is that they appear simultaneously on all nails and are accompanied by dryness of the cuticle and skin on the fingers.

Internal factors:

• Decreased immunity. The weakening of the body's protective functions leads to malfunctions in all organ systems. This primarily affects the skin and nail plates.
• Dehydration. You need to drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day. With a lack of moisture, not only the skin suffers, but also the nails.
• Hormonal disorders. During pregnancy, breastfeeding and adolescence, sharp hormonal changes occur in the body. If a person has any concomitant endocrine diseases, then in almost 90% of cases hormonal imbalance affects the condition of the nails, skin and mucous membranes.
• Avitaminosis. A lack of vitamins E and A will immediately affect your appearance. Bioactive substances stimulate the regeneration of cells in all tissues of the body. An acute deficiency of microelements leads to delamination of the plates. A distinctive feature of such cracks is that they appear across the nails and look like small notches.

Fungal diseases

Develops gradually. First, a crack appears on the nail of the thumb. The disease then affects other nail plates.

There are more than 15 infectious agents that cause onychomycosis, but the most common of them are:

• Moldy mushrooms. The plates turn yellow and black spots appear on them, which may increase over time. As the disease progresses, deep damage and chips appear on the plates. The fungus first appears on the thumb, then spreads to the rest of the nail plates.
• Yeast mushrooms. At the first stage of the disease, the plates become deformed and acquire a pale green tint. At the second stage, they become covered with black spots, become thinner and begin to crack. The cracks can be so deep that bleeding wounds appear.
• Dermatophytes. The disease is characterized by the appearance of longitudinal white stripes, in places of which deep cracks then form. The edges of the plate become thinner and break off. The skin under the nails begins to peel.

Onychomycosis requires complex treatment. You cannot mask the problem by extensions or coating with biogel. Fungal spores enter the lymphatic and bloodstream, spreading throughout the body, so if left untreated, the disease will only progress.

How to seal a crack

Further splitting of the nail can be stopped. To do this you will need a polishing buffer, a piece of silk or paper and medical glue.

Step by step guide:

1. Polish the damaged area with a buff or fine abrasive file, smooth out the edges of the crack.
2. Apply medical glue to the crack with a brush. Let dry for 5-8 seconds.
3. Apply a small piece of silk or paper to the splitting site. Cover with a second layer of glue. Let dry.
4. Trim off excess fabric at edges. Apply the final layer of glue. Dry and polish with buff.
5. Apply varnish.

Only transverse cracks can be repaired with glue and silk. Longitudinal cracks are deeper, so it is better to use biogel or gel to repair them.

Treatment

If you have vitamin deficiency, you should take multivitamin complexes containing vitamins C, E and A, as well as calcium, phosphorus and iron. The following products should be added to the diet: rye bread, chicken and quail eggs, sea fish, apples, spinach and carrots.

How to treat cracks due to fungal diseases:

• Nystatin (tablets). Antifungal antibiotic, active against yeast fungi.
• Lamisil (gel). The main active ingredient is terbinafine. It has a pronounced antifungal effect on all types of fungi.
• Mycozoral (ointment). Contains ketoconazole. Active against dermatophytes and yeast-like fungi.
• Clotrimazole (ointment). Actimycotic agent for external use, helps against dermatophytes, mold and yeast fungi.

Hormonal and immune imbalances require comprehensive examination and treatment.

Traditional methods

The following procedures will help get rid of small cracks:

• Oil compress. The damaged area must be smoothed out as much as possible using a buff. After this, apply olive or almond oil and put on plastic gloves. Keep it on all night. The course of treatment is 10-12 procedures.
• Bath with soda and iodine. Dilute 2 tablespoons of soda and 15 drops of iodine in 400 ml of warm water. Dip your fingertips into the water and hold for a quarter of an hour. Take baths every other day.

Treatment for a cracked fingernail takes from 2 weeks to 4 months, depending on the cause of the problem. If the damage is deep and affects blood vessels, then the tip of the finger should be wrapped with an adhesive plaster. This will prevent infection from entering from the outside.

The condition of nails can tell a lot about a person's health. Under the negative influence of external factors or deviations within the body, the plates begin to darken, flake, and break. A common problem is cracked fingernails. Let's look at the reasons for this condition and the specifics of treatment in more detail.

The appearance of nails can tell about the condition of the body

Why do nails crack?

Factors that provoke the appearance of longitudinal or transverse cracks on the nail plate can ruin not only a woman’s manicure, but also appear in men. The causes of such defects can be divided into two groups – external and internal.

The first includes environmental irritants:

• infection with a fungus (inflammation of the skin around the nail may be added to the cracks, which provokes itching and redness);
• frequent contact with water and aggressive detergents;
• long-term interaction with building materials that contain many chemical compounds (paint, glue, acetone);
• use of low-quality materials for manicure;
• non-compliance with nail treatment measures (improper filing of the plate and its polishing).

Any mechanical damage can develop into cracks if infection reaches the injured areas.

In addition to the influence of the external environment, fingernails can suffer from skin pathologies. Psoriasis, neurodermatitis, eczema are diseases that negatively affect the condition of the plate, causing its destruction. Typically, such diseases contribute to the appearance of longitudinal cracks, as well as roughening of the skin near the nails.

Skin diseases also affect the health of nails

Failures in hormonal levels and metabolism, blood diseases, mental disorders, decreased immunity and deficiency of essential vitamins - all these are the causes of degenerative processes in the body, which lead to the development of onychorrhexis or onychoschisis. These are nail diseases that occur against the background of disturbances in the normal nutrition of the stratum corneum. As a result, cracks form along or across the plate, which can peel off and grow, causing pain and discomfort.

What a nail affected by cracks looks like is shown in the photo.

Causes of cracks in gel polish and nails underneath it

Shellac or gel polish provides a beautiful manicure for a long time. These are special substances that can stay on the nail plate for up to 3-4 weeks. They tightly cover the nail and protect it from scratches and minor injuries, but at the same time they can cause harm. Many women face the problem of cracks in gel polish a few days after its application. The reasons are most often the following:

• improper nail preparation (poor polishing, lack of degreasing of the surface);
• violation of technical nuances in working with the material - thick coating, insufficient listening of each layer (base, gel, finish) under the lamp;
• low quality materials;
• peculiarities of nails (thin and fragile plates prone to delamination);
• frequent contact of hands with water (washing dishes without gloves, regular visits to the pool).

Nails can become damaged from frequent contact with water and cleaning products.

Cracks can also appear on extended nails coated with shellac. This happens when masters neglect the rules of working with the material, and also if there was significant damage to the natural plate during the manicure.

Often nails burst under gel polish, resulting in small cracks appearing on the surface of the coating. The reason may be the aggressive effects of hydrated collagen, which is contained in shellac. The substance is absorbed into the stratum corneum, causing its destruction.

Another reason for the appearance of cracks under the coating is thinning, delamination and dryness of the nail plate, which remains for a long time without access to oxygen and moisture.

A special solution for removing gel polish can also have a negative effect on the condition of the plate. It has an aggressive effect on the stratum corneum, which can subsequently cause cracks under the shellac in the middle or vertically on the side of the nail.

What causes children's nails to burst?

The appearance of cracks on the nail plate in a child under one year old may be the result of untimely cutting or lack of vitamins in the child’s body. To eliminate the problem, you need to regularly monitor the baby’s manicure and balance the composition and nutritional standards of the nursing mother.

In the case where cracks appear on the thumb of a child over two years of age, we may be talking about a lack of calcium and iron in the body, which can cause a malfunction of the internal organs. In addition, the cause of cracks is a fungal infection.

If cracks appear on your child's nails, it is better to consult a doctor.

Treatment and prevention

The appearance of cracks in nails cannot be ignored. It is important not to trigger such a condition, but to immediately consult a specialist. The doctor will find the cause of the unpleasant defect and tell you what to do. To strengthen the nail plate and eliminate such deformation, a complex of minerals and vitamins (A, B, C, E) is prescribed.

As for prevention, it is important to adhere to the following rules.

1. When working with household chemicals, protect your hands with rubber gloves.
2. In the cold season, protect your hands from freezing with gloves.
3. Careful care of nails and the skin around them (use of nourishing and moisturizing creams and ointments, oils and lotions).
4. Use the services of a trusted manicurist and pedicurist and strictly monitor the disinfection of instruments.
5. Do not use someone else's scissors or files, and do not give yours to anyone.

To normalize the nutrition of the nail and strengthen it, you need to monitor your diet. It is recommended to eat foods rich in calcium (seafood, dairy products) and drink more water.

Special creams and ointments will strengthen your nails

Folk remedies for cracked fingernails

To strengthen the nail plate and return it to a healthy appearance, it is recommended to use the following traditional medicine methods:

• rubbing olive oil and lemon juice into the affected areas - this will make it possible to saturate the nail with vitamins and minerals;
• baths with sea salt - steam your hands daily for 20-30 minutes in a medicinal solution (100 g of salt per 3 liters of water);
• lotions based on oak bark decoction - boil 50 g of crushed raw materials in a water bath for 10 minutes, then cool to 35-37 degrees and apply compresses to the affected nails before bed;
• herbal-based ointments - string, chamomile and calendula in equal parts (1 tsp each) pour boiling water and leave for 8 hours, and then in 1 tbsp. l. Add 10 ml of honey and 50 g of butter to the liquid, mix and rub into problem areas of the plate.

Sea salt baths will restore health to your nails

Traditional methods help relieve symptoms and increase the therapeutic effect of basic medications. To cure a nail, you need to find out the main cause and take a comprehensive approach to eliminating it.

Cracks in nails can appear on the plates in children and adults, often indicating negative abnormalities in the functioning of internal organs. Such a defect can also be a consequence of mechanical damage. In any case, you should not self-medicate, and if longitudinal or transverse cracks occur, it is better to consult a doctor.

The condition of the nail plates is not only important, but also a rather informative indicator signaling the state of human health. Why do cracks appear on nails, and what are the reasons for this manifestation - these are questions that require special consideration.

The main reasons why cracks in nails are possible

Cracks in the nail plates do not just appear without a reason.

The nail is cracked and broken off: photo.

It is possible to identify the main factors due to which such an unpleasant manifestation occurs:

1. Since the nail plate consists mainly of keratin, which has a layered structure, frequent mechanical stress on the nail leads to the appearance of cracks on it. Workers in certain professions related to mechanics, as well as musicians and programmers, may be more susceptible to this process. The nail plates on the toes are often injured due to blows or bruises. In this case, most often a dark blue spot appears on the big toe - dried blood. Sometimes you have to see a doctor to remove the entire plate.
2. The formation of the nail occurs in the matrix, which is its root part. And any changes that occur at the base, including injuries to this area, lead to inferior growth of the nail plates on both the fingers and toes. This can cause cracks to form. This is the second reason for cracks appearing on the nails of the fingers and toes.
3. Infectious skin diseases, such as fungus or psoriasis, first damage the nail and then its root part.
4. The formation, as well as the process of normal growth of the plate, largely depends on the availability of nutrients in the body. Their deficiency leads to weakness and thinning of the nail, Brittle toenails in a child may occur precisely for this reason. This manifestation is caused by poor nutrition and its monotony.
5. Fifth reason! If filing or cutting the cuticle is performed incorrectly, damage to the plate or its base, the matrix, may occur.
6. Brittle nails are caused by strong chemicals found in bathroom, sink, and dishwashing detergents. Frequent contact with solvents, acetone or bleach can also lead to cracked nails.
7. Severe dehydration of the entire body first affects the skin, hair, and then the nail plates - one of the very common causes of brittle nail plates. In this case, not only the plates on the hands are affected by dehydration, but cracks (both longitudinal and transverse) may also appear on the toenails.
8. Hormonal changes that have occurred in the body. This problem is faced by the female half during pregnancy or menopause.
9. The use of varnish, as well as products designed to remove it, but of poor quality, can lead to a vertical crack appearing on any of the nails.

Why do longitudinal (vertical) cracks appear on nails?

Longitudinal cracks in the fingernails or toenails can occur due to the appearance of a disease in the body such as onychorrhexis. When this disease manifests itself, the nails become brittle, and a longitudinal crack may appear on any of the nail plates.

Onychorrhexis is a consequence of processes in the body that are dystrophic in nature due to impaired metabolism and nutrition of the plate. This dystrophy develops due to the following factors:

• development of skin diseases;
• getting injured;
• negative effects of chemicals on nails;
• mental illnesses;
• infection of the body;
• blood diseases.

This disease most often appears on the arms, but rarely on the lower extremities. Vertical cracks on the nails can be found either singly or several times. The splitting of the plate initially appears from the free edge (from the fingertip). It's not noticeable at first, but over time, the crack along the nail plate expands and strives to reach the base of the nail. To block the process of growth of the crack, the crack itself must be sealed.

Why do transverse cracks appear?

If the nail plate cracks in the transverse direction, then it is reasonable to assume the presence of a disease such as onychoschisis. This is also a dystrophic disease in which nails break. True, more often with this disease they are more likely to separate and split. You can read more here: nail dystrophy: causes, symptoms, treatment. Also in this article you can see information about “Bo’s grooves,” which can also lead to transverse cracks in the middle of the nail plate.

The causes are similar to those identified with onychorrhexis, but there are additional ones:

• improperly performed manicure or pedicure;
• frequent minor mechanical injuries;
• The habit of biting nail plates is onychophagia.

Splitting most often occurs on the free part of the nail, but if the disease is not treated, cracks appear not only in the middle, but throughout the entire nail plate.

What to do

If the crack that appears is located along the nail plate, then measures must be taken without long delay. Many people don’t know what to do in this case. Any snag can cause the nail to spread to the sides, damaging the soft tissues of the bed and causing significant pain.

1. Firstly, it is necessary to carry out repairs, since the condition of the nail plate may worsen.
2. And secondly, at the first opportunity, a visit to a doctor is required to identify and further treat the disease that caused such trouble.

Treatment

In order to cure a cracked nail and prevent it from happening again, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause of this phenomenon. To do this, you need to visit a dermatologist, who can tell you what needs to be done. To find out the reason, you may have to undergo some tests. However, if cracks appear regularly, then only adequate treatment can help get rid of this problem.

If there is a suspicion of pathology of internal organs, an initial examination is carried out by a therapist.

If a fungal infection is detected, the pathogen must be eliminated. Prescriptions to cure mycosis will consist of systemic drugs and medications intended for local action. Antifungal varnishes will do an excellent job of protecting the nail plate from the possibility of their destruction in the future.

If the development of nails is dystrophic in nature, an integrated approach to treatment is required. In addition to taking prescribed medications, it is necessary to eliminate the lack of nutrients, which is replenished with the help of vitamin and mineral complexes. It is also recommended to use compresses and baths for local nutrition of the plates.

When performing such procedures, vitamin oil provides significant assistance. These measures are essential when identifying onychorrhexis, in which the fingernails crack and become thinner.

Redecorating

If a longitudinal crack appears on the thumbnail, the fastest solution to repair it is to perform a shellac manicure. After all, gel polish will not only provide reliable protection against infection, but will also prevent the crack from spreading. As the nail plate grows back, the area where the repair was performed is cut off.

If the longitudinal cracks are wide, then shellac will not be able to cope with such problems. In the case where the cleft “grows” in size on the thumb, you will need to visit a salon to have it covered with acrylic and biogel, because it is very difficult to perform such procedures at home. However, the procedure can be seen in the video below.

The easiest solution to carry out at home is to seal the crack. The order of actions is as follows:

1. Level and then sand the surface of the nail along with the crack. To do this, you can use a file with a fine abrasive or a buff.
2. Next, you need to apply glue to the polished surface of the nail (using a brush).
3. Apply a piece of silk fabric to the dried base and apply a second layer of glue on top. Let dry again.
4. Trim off excess fabric and apply a third layer of glue. Let dry.
5. Using a buff, polish the repair area and apply varnish on top.

If it was problematic to get it, you can perform the procedure described, but use a napkin or even a tea bag if you don’t have a silk scrap. This protection will be enough for about a day. This is enough to prepare for repeating the procedure more thoroughly. The repair is shown in the video: VKontakte

A problem such as cracks in human fingernails is a rather dangerous process for health. At the first manifestations, you should immediately pay attention to it and take the necessary measures. After all, the beauty of hands and nails is the first sign of cleanliness and hygiene.

Many may think that hiding the problem under a layer of varnish or other means will solve it. But the consequences of not solving the problem can be quite serious - cracks grow, nails begin to break and turn yellow. Cracks can cause pain and discomfort when touched. Even the visual appearance of the nail plates on the hands in this state is unlikely to please anyone.

Initially, cracks appear in a small volume; they can be seen as small stripes along the nail, which can be at the base and towards the end of nail growth

Causes of cracked nails

One of the main signs of cracked nails is frequent work in water or a damp room. At home, this problem may arise among housewives who often use chemical means, wash by hand, and also use low-quality nail polishes.

The next cause of cracks is a weakened immune system, in this case, in addition to treating the cause, you should pay attention to your health and resort to a vitamin and mineral complex.

Below are the most common causes of cracks in fingernails:

• An incorrectly selected diet, which can lead to improper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which can subsequently lead to hypovitaminosis or weakening of the body as a whole;
• Drink a small amount of liquid in any form per day. This problem can lead to severe dehydration of the body, which is directly related to the growth of hair, nails, and skin color;
• Failure to comply with nail hygiene rules, infrequent washing, or visiting manicure salons where sanitary hygiene is not observed;
• During hormonal imbalance, cracks in the nails may appear;
• During pregnancy, women may experience this type of discomfort.

Treatment of cracked fingernails and toenails

If you experience symptoms of cracks in your fingernails or toenails, it is advisable to consult a doctor for advice or treatment.

For yourself, you need to remember that you need to eat properly and balanced, including vitamins A, B, C, E, iron, iodine, magnesium, and calcium in your daily diet.

Many specialists in the treatment of such problems may recommend lubricating the nail plates with special oils, which are always available on the shelves in pharmacies. But for the best effect, compresses with oils should be used. This is good because the oil will be absorbed better this way, which means the effect will be faster and more effective.

If this problem does not concern nail fungus, then you can contact a good nail salon to get rid of cracks. After the procedure, specialists usually apply a special product to help the nail heal. In the future, the problem should disappear.

Self-removal of cracks

Often, women can have cracks on already grown nails. And if the crack is small, then you can resort to one method. For this you will need the following materials:

• Special fabric;
• Orange sticks;
• Manicure file;
• Small manicure scissors;
• Varnish – strengthener;
• Manicure brush.

Now we will provide a step-by-step stage of the crack removal procedure:

This procedure can help preserve the nail, and its effect will last about 15 days, then the nail will grow back, and where there was a crack, it will be possible to slowly cut it off. But this effect can only happen when the crack has just begun to appear.

And in the end, I would like to note that you should not neglect the health of your nails; you should immediately pay attention to any shortcomings. Then your nails will be healthy and strong.