Anyone know how to fix a split fingernail?
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
March 28, 2018 6:40pm CST
I've researched it and gotten all kinds of answers. It's caused by too much moisture, or the fingers are too dry. It's caused by getting older, the Mayo clinic says. Malnutrition, another site says. But it's driving me nuts! 
I've cut it down to where the split begins, can't cut any further down, then bandaged it with neosporin and a wrapping to keep it moist and free of infection. I've use nail polish to try to keep it together as it grows, to no avail.
Any ideas? I do NOT want to someday catch it on something and have half of it torn away in a bloody swath!! 
I've cut it down to where the split begins, can't cut any further down, then bandaged it with neosporin and a wrapping to keep it moist and free of infection. I've use nail polish to try to keep it together as it grows, to no avail.
Any ideas? I do NOT want to someday catch it on something and have half of it torn away in a bloody swath!! 10 people like this
11 responses
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
29 Mar 18
superglue.i'm not kidding-that's what i use.
4 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45433)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
29 Mar 18
That's what I was going to suggest.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
29 Mar 18
I've heard about the super glue in my trying-to-play-guitar days but hadn't thought about it for years--thanks!!
2 people like this
@Plethos (13560)
• United States
29 Mar 18
@dragon54u - guitarist use it for split skin/callous cuts on the finger tips.
2 people like this
@marguicha (215148)
• Chile
28 Mar 18
I use fingernail polish, but it doesn´t help much.
2 people like this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
29 Mar 18
Oh I'm so sorry. I have no idea at all but reading this discussion made me think of mine. I have never experienced such but any answers here will probably help me too if I get them in the future.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
29 Mar 18
I'm going to try the super glue that a couple of people suggested. I hope it works!
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
29 Mar 18
@dragon54u Good luck and I hope I don't get that in the future.
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (51490)
• Philippines
29 Mar 18
I had some of those experience, but I never get myself bothered by it healed itself eventually.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
29 Mar 18
Mine always did before but I'm 63 now and haven't had this problem for probably 20 years or so. I hope you never have to experience it again!
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
29 Mar 18
I was reminded of using super glue so I will try that! Tomorrow I'll go to the dollar store and pick up a pack of some individual packets. They make those now, which is great because I'd use a tube one time only to find that I didn't seal it correctly and it was all hard!
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
29 Mar 18
@dragon54u Be careful with that super glue. You dont want to glue your fingers together and rip the skin off your fingers trying to pull them apart.
2 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
29 Mar 18
@Starmaiden My skin is pretty strong, or it used to be. I've done that and separated my fingers with no problem and no skin loss. Of course, I'm a lot older now..
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
29 Mar 18
I am hoping the super glue will keep it together until it grows out and I can cut below it when it's above the quick of my nail. If not, I guess I'm stuck with it. Mayo clinic did say that it is a consequence of getting older. It doesn't seem fair that with all the other crap I have to endure as I age, that I have to contend with split nails, too!! 
1 person likes this
@Edsamacos (557)
• Philippines
29 Mar 18
I don't have any idea about this. I think going to a salon is better.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
29 Mar 18
Can't afford a salon. Although spending some money might be better than tearing it some day! I'll see what suggestions I get but so far I'm on board with super glue!
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
28 Mar 18
I usually just file it down as much as I can and suffer with it until it grows out. I do oil it regularly and buff it and just keep it smooth in general so as not to catch on things.
I did study nails in beauty school so that is about all you can do except of course for polishing over it with clear.
And filing it gently of course and a good soak when you can..epsom salts is good food for it and again dont forget to oil it..apricot oil is nice from Sally beauty.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
29 Mar 18
I did not think of oiling it. If super glue doesn't work I will certainly try that. Thanks for the suggestion!! 
1 person likes this
@Courage7 (19633)
• United States
29 Mar 18
@dragon54u Well it only helps to nourish the nail it will not be as good as superglue lol
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
29 Mar 18
Next time I'm there I will. My toenails are brittle and when I cut them they break off like chalk, that's the closest comparison I can think of. My fingernails aren't super thin but they do have vertical ridges that I try to keep buffed smooth.
1 person likes this
