Cracked and split toenails can be very annoying. Even small cracks can interfere with your appearance and hinder your daily activities. Especially if the toenail is split severe enough to be difficult to repair and is very painful. Ultimately, the only way to repair a cracked toenail is to wait for it to grow. That said, there are a few tricks you can use to hold on to your nails while they wait for them to grow longer. Once your toenail has grown, there are many things you can do to prevent it from cracking and splitting again.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Overcoming Minor Cracks
Step 1. Apply the tape to temporarily hold the nail
Cut a strip of clear plaster to the length of the crack. Apply the plaster directly to the surface of the crack. Meanwhile, use your other finger to join the two sides of the crack together. After that, cut off the remaining plaster.
- This method is best used when the fracture in the nail does not extend all the way to the base of the nail. If the size of the nail fracture is large, you need immediate help.
- This solution will come in handy if you have cracked nails at work or on a trip. However, this solution cannot be used in the long term. Get your nails fixed as soon as you get home or visit a salon as soon as possible.
Step 2. File the nail cracks
If the nail damage doesn't reach the base, you can file it. For best results, use a clean nail file and move it in the direction of the nail crack. If the nail is cracked vertically, move the file in one direction to prevent the crack from getting bigger. File the nail just past the base of the crack for a smooth and even finish.
Filing dry nails may make the cracks worse. To avoid this, soak your nails in warm water for 5-10 minutes before filing
Step 3. Use glue to join the nail cracks together
If the nail crack doesn't reach the nail bed, you can use glue to hold it together. Pour a small amount of nail glue along the crack and then use an orange wooden stick to hold the two sides of the crack together until the glue dries. Usually, the time required to perform this step is no more than 2 minutes.
- Once your nails are dry, moisten a cotton ball with nail polish remover and then rub it into the layer of skin next to your nail to remove any splatter.
- After the nail glue dries, apply a coat of nail polish to seal the crack and even out the color.
Step 4. Take advantage of teabags
Cut a small piece of paper from the tea bag. Apply base polish or clear nail polish to your nails and leave for about 30 seconds until they stick. Press the tea bag paper to cover all the cracks in the nail, smoothing the layers of paper so they don't shrivel and swell.
- Cut the tea bag paper into the shape of the nail and then file it so that it blends in better with the nail. Move the file in the direction of the nail crack. Moving the file the other way around can make the cracks in your nails wider.
- After that, apply a coat of clear nail polish to disguise the color of the tea bag paper.
Step 5. Cut the nail crack once it grows past the tip of the toe
Once the entire nail crack has grown past your fingertips, you can safely trim it. Use nail clippers to cut just below the crack. After that, file the nails in one direction to prevent them from cracking or snagging until they split again.
Method 2 of 3: Treating Severely Split Nails
Step 1. Keep your nails clean
Wash your nails and the surrounding area regularly with warm water and mild soap, especially if the nails are split on the body or the pads. Run the water slowly on the nail so it doesn't hurt too much. Be careful not to use hot water, rushing water, or rubbing a towel against your nails. Don't let the split nail get caught in the fibers of the towel and pull it out.
You can also soak your nails in water every day for 15 minutes to moisturize them
Step 2. Provide first aid
Give first aid if the nail splits into its pad or if the wound is bleeding, inflamed, or accompanied by severe pain. Wrap the nail with gauze and press until the bleeding stops. After the bleeding has subsided, apply an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin to the wound area and then cover it with a bandage.
Severely split nails should not be treated in the same way as minor cracks. Since the wound is quite severe, you will have to treat the damaged tissue as well as a split nail
Step 3. Seek medical attention if the bleeding or pain does not subside
If the bleeding in the toenail doesn't stop or gets worse after a few minutes of pressure, or if the area around the nail hurts so much that you can't walk, seek immediate medical attention. You may also have an injury to the skin, bone, and/or nerve tissue under the nail.
Seek medical attention for a split nail to the nail bed if you have diabetes or neuropathy
Step 4. Let the nails grow
You may be tempted to cut or pick or even pull out your nails. However, it's best to allow your nails to grow past the pads. Cover the affected area with a bandage while the skin is still exposed and apply an antibiotic cream daily.
If your toenail gets stuck in a sock, carpet, or other object, ask your doctor to trim it so it's more comfortable for you
Step 5. Use over-the-counter pain relievers
If your toenail hurts constantly, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin or ibuprofen to help control the pain and inflammation. Follow the dosage recommendations listed on the medicine package and be sure to consult your doctor before starting a new pain reliever.
- Do not give aspirin to children or adolescents. Use paracetamol or ibuprofen instead.
- Avoid using topical pain relievers unless recommended by a doctor or until an open wound on the skin begins to heal.
Step 6. Trim the split nail once it has fully grown past the fingertips
Once the entire split nail has grown past your fingertips, you can trim it. Use nail clippers to do this. After that, file nails to smooth the surface. Be sure to move the file in one direction to prevent the nail from cracking and splitting further.
- Don't try to trim your nails if you still have pain in the nail bed.
- Do not use a regular nail clipper as this will put too much pressure on the nail and make the crack wider.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Split Nails
Step 1. Work closely with the doctor
Chronic cases of cracked and split nails can be caused by an underlying disease such as a fungal infection or vitamin deficiency. Tell your doctor if you have a chronic case of cracked and split nails. Doctors can find out the underlying problem and provide the necessary medical care.
Step 2. Reduce the frequency of wetting your nails
Toenails can become brittle if they are constantly moistened and dried. Reduce the frequency of wetting your nails and make sure to wear waterproof footwear when it rains.
However, soaking your nails for 15 minutes a day, patting them dry, and applying moisturizer (such as an emollient such as organic lotion or petroleum jelly) will do the trick
Step 3. Moisturize your nails daily
Use moisturizing foot cream, cuticle cream, or petroleum jelly on the area around your nails to keep them moist. Use this treatment at least once a day and allow it to soak in to prevent the nails from becoming brittle and splitting.
Keep your nails moist by keeping a moisturizing foot cream near the sink and using it after every shower
Step 4. Reduce the frequency of using nail polish and artificial nails
The process of installing and removing coatings from the nail surface such as paint, stickers, and artificial nails can damage toenails. So, try to reduce the frequency of nail beauty products and let your nails grow naturally.
Step 5. Strengthen nails naturally
Soak your toenails in an oil like coconut oil, argan oil, or tea tree oil for about 10 minutes once a week. This treatment will increase the moisture in your nails and reduce their brittleness. You can also use supplements that contain biotin to strengthen your nails.
