By Discovering a split nail can be very annoying, but it’s very easy to treat. As long as you make sure you take care of it properly, that split nail will be gone in no time. Treating and preventing a split nail is very easy if you know what to do.
The worst possible thing you can do for a split nail is simply cover it up with nail polish. This can cause the split nail to become infected, which will make the problem even worse. However, you probably don’t want to just let the split nail heal on its own because it can keep getting caught on things and really hurt.
The best way to deal with a split nail is to take in two parts: the wound under the nail and the broken nail itself. The most important thing to remember is that you must keep the area clean. It’s probably best to keep it covered in order to prevent dirt, germs, and other things from getting into the area.
Let’s start by treating the wound. Remember that it’s right under the broken part of the nail, so you’ve got to be very careful that you don’t bump the nail on anything or snag the jagged edge on clothes or anything else. Start by cleaning and disinfecting the nail and the wound underneath. Use soap and water to clean the wound. Dry the area very thoroughly with a clean towel. Next, you should apply an antibiotic ointment to a bandage and cover the wounded area. You may have to trim part of the broken nail off so the bandage will lie over the wound properly.
You should keep the wounded area covered most of the time, but don’t forget to uncover it about once or twice a day to check the wound. It’s still possible for it to worsen, even with the best care. Trouble signs are blood underneath the nail, pus, extreme pain or numbness, and swelling of the fingertip.
There are also plenty of things you can do to prevent getting a split nail. Try to avoid using nail polish remover more than twice a month. Repeated and extended use of nail polish remover tends to make nails very brittle and more prone to splitting. Another way you can prevent getting a split nail is by using hand lotion daily. Just make sure that you rub it into your cuticles, fingertips, and nails thoroughly. This will ensure that your nails get the right amount of moisture. In turn, this will ensure that your nails get enough moisture so they can stay strong instead of becoming brittle. One other way to keep your nails from splitting is by using a nail buffer instead of nail polish. Of course you won’t get the colors you get with nail polish, but a nail buffer allows you to polish up those nails to a very natural shine while you avoid putting harsh chemicals onto your nails.
