From the Guidelines
The medical term for splitting fingernails is onychoschizia, also known as lamellar dystrophy. This condition causes the nails to split horizontally at the free edge, creating layers that peel away. Onychoschizia typically results from repeated wetting and drying of the nails, excessive exposure to harsh chemicals like detergents or nail polish removers, or nutritional deficiencies. Some key factors to consider in the management of onychoschizia include:
- Keeping nails short
- Avoiding trauma to the nails
- Wearing gloves when hands are in water
- Using moisturizers containing alpha-hydroxy acids or lanolin
- Applying nail hardeners containing protein or formaldehyde
- Taking biotin supplements (2.5-5 mg daily) to help strengthen brittle nails over several months 1. Maintaining proper hydration and a balanced diet rich in protein, iron, and essential vitamins can also improve nail health. The condition occurs because the nail plate consists of layers of keratin cells that can separate when damaged or weakened, leading to the characteristic splitting appearance.
From the Research
Medical Term for Splitting Fingernails
The medical term for splitting fingernails is:
- Onychoschizia, which is characterized by distal nail plate splitting 2
- Onychorrhexis, which refers to longitudinal furrows and splitting of the nails 3
Characteristics of Splitting Fingernails
Splitting fingernails can be described as:
- Nail plate brittleness (or fragility) that affects up to 20% of the population, especially women over 50 years of age 4
- Nails that split, flake, and crumble, become soft, and lose elasticity 4
- Lamellar splitting (onychoschizia) is one of the clinical types of nail fragility 3
Causes and Treatment of Splitting Fingernails
The causes of splitting fingernails can be:
- Environmental factors, such as repeated exposure to water followed by dehydration 5
- Household daily chores that are particularly damaging 3
- Acquired general causes, such as hypochromic anaemia and sideropaenia, arthritic deformities of the distal joints, peripheral vascular impairment, and endocrinopathies 3 Treatment options include:
- Oral supplementation with vitamins, such as biotin, and trace elements 4
- Topical moisturizers and lacquers to restructure the affected nail plate 4
- Protection with plastic gloves worn over light cotton glove linings, and the use of nail hardeners 3