Onychoshizia, or nail splitting as it is more commonly known, is an extremely common occurrence and is a collection of nail related problems including splitting, excessively brittle and soft or thin nails. While it is considered to be more common in women, one school of thought believes that since most men do not pay as much attention to their nails as women – most cases in men go unreported. The most common cause of the condition is a severe iron deficiency, while at times an internal disease or vitamin deficiency may also be blamed. Some nail care products that a lot of people assume are designed to protect the nails, such as nail polish, are actually the most harmful substances and are commonly known to be the root cause of soft and brittle nails. Repetitive and prolonged wetting and drying of the finger nails is also one of the most common causes of splitting and ridging of nails, while trauma to the nail could also contribute to the occurrence. Prevention is the best option when it comes to taking care of the nails. You must make it a point to wear gloves whenever performing household chores that involve getting the hands wet. Cotton lined rubber gloves are easily available in stores at any location. If your nails are excessively soft, this is a sign that they may be getting too much moisture or could possible be getting damaged by chemical substances like detergents, cleaning fluids and nail polish removers. Filing is a good method of maintenance for your nails and a daily routine of nail filing will go a long way into preventing the splitting of your nails. You could also use nail polish that contains nylon fiber as they add strength to the nails.
An oral intake of the vitamin ‘Biotin’ is known to have considerable success in dealing with brittle and splitting nails. It is easily available over the counter at most medical stores and should be taken in 1 mg. doses around two or three times a day for a period of six months for best results. If you are unable to avoid trauma being caused to the nail tips, you may find it better to keep your nails shorter. Wearing gloves during the cold weather will prove to be extremely beneficial. Rub lotions that contain alpha-hydroxy acids or lanolin as they help maintain the strength of the nails after they have been in contact with water for long periods of time.