What should you know about brittle cracked nails?

Nails can split at the free edge, peel in layers, develop lengthwise cracks, or become thin and rough. Frequent hand washing, detergents, solvents, nail polish remover, biting, picking, and repeated manicures can dry or injure the nail plate. A crack may also follow a knock or pressure from footwear. Fungal nail disease can cause thickening, discolouration, crumbling, or separation, but a cracked nail alone does not identify its cause.

Because nails grow slowly, improvement is gradual even after the trigger stops. Changes involving several nails, the skin around them, or the nail base may need examination. Do not dig under the nail or share clippers while trying to identify the problem.

Keep nails trimmed short and file snags in one direction. Wear gloves for cleaning and prolonged water exposure, dry hands carefully, and apply a thick moisturiser to nails and surrounding skin. Avoid peeling polish, cuticle cutting, harsh removers, and using nails as tools. Choose shoes with enough room if toenails are affected. If a nail is thick, yellow, crumbly, painful, or lifting, arrange an assessment before using a treatment for Nail Fungus because several nail conditions look alike.

See a clinician if cracking persists, spreads to other nails, or comes with swelling, drainage, tenderness, colour change, thickening, or separation from the nail bed. Seek prompt care after a significant injury, severe pain, or dark pigment that is new or extending toward the surrounding skin. People with diabetes, reduced circulation, or a weakened immune system should have persistent nail problems assessed rather than treating them repeatedly at home.

Could this be irritation, trauma, infection, or another nail condition? Is testing needed before treatment? How should I protect the nail while it grows out? Which products or manicure habits should I avoid?