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• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Treat small cracks
• Method 2 of 3: Treat severe cracks
• Method 3 of 3: Preventing a split nail

A split nail can be very annoying. Small cracks are unsightly and can make it difficult for you to do your daily activities. Larger cracks can cause even more problems and be very painful. The only working solution is to make your split nail grow longer. However, there are some tricks you can use to keep your nail long while you let it grow. Once your nail has grown long enough to cut the cracked area, there are a lot of things you can do to prevent your nail from splitting again.

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Method 1 of 3: Treat small cracks

1. Hold the pieces of nail together with masking tape to temporarily fix the problem. Cut a piece of transparent tape just big enough to cover the crack. Stick the masking tape on the crack and use a free finger to hold the pieces together. Then cut off the excess tape.
   • This method works best if your toenail is not split up to the nail bed. Serious cracks must be treated immediately.
   • This solution comes in handy if your toenail has split at work or on the go. However, it is not a long-term solution. Repair the crack at home or go to a beauty supply store as soon as possible.
2. File the crack. If your toenail isn't cracked up to the nail bed, you can file the crack. For best results, use a clean nail file and file in the direction of the crack. If it's a vertical crack, file the area in one direction to keep the crack from getting bigger. File just past the start of the crack to make sure your nail stays smooth and even.
   • Filing a dry nail can make the crack worse. To avoid making the problem worse, soak the nail in warm water for 5-10 minutes before filing.
3. Glue the parts of the crack together. If your nail is not split up to the nail bed, you can glue the parts of the crack together. Apply a small amount of nail glue along the entire length of the crack and press the parts of the crack together with a cuticle pusher until the glue has dried. This usually takes no more than two minutes.
   • When the crack is dry, dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover and run it over the skin next to your nail to remove any excess glue.
   • When the glue dries, apply a clear top coat to your nail to protect and hide the crack.
4. Use a tea bag. Cut a small piece of paper from a tea bag. Apply base nail polish or a clear top coat on your nail and let the polish dry for about 30 seconds so that it becomes tacky. Push the piece of paper onto the crack so that it completely covers the crack and smooth the paper to remove any wrinkles and bubbles.
   • Cut the piece of paper in the shape of your nail and file it so that it does not stand out on your nail. File in the direction of the crack. Filing against the direction of the crack can damage your nail even more.
   • Then apply another coat of top coat to make the paper translucent.
5. Cut the part with the crack when it has grown past the tip of your toe. Once the crack has grown all the way past the tip of your toe, you can safely cut that portion off. Use nail scissors to gently trim your nail just below the split end. Then file your nail in one direction to avoid new cracks and tears.

Method 2 of 3: Treat severe cracks

1. Keep the nail clean. Wash the nail and the surrounding skin regularly with warm water and a mild soap, especially if the nail is cracked in the middle or split up to the nail bed. To avoid discomfort, use a gentle jet of water to clean your damaged nail. Avoid using hot water, applying strong pressure, or drying your nail with a towel - of course, you don't want the towel to snag and pull on the crack.
   • You can also soak the nail in water for 15 minutes daily to moisturize it.
2. Provide first aid. Provide first aid if the nail has split up to the nail bed or if there is bleeding, inflammation and severe pain. Wrap a layer of gauze around the toe and apply pressure until the bleeding stops. When the bleeding stops, apply an antibiotic ointment to the affected area and bandage your toe.
   • Severe cracks should not be treated with the same methods as small ones. Because these cracks are not only cosmetic, you will also have to take care of the damaged tissue.
3. Get medical attention if the area continues to bleed and hurt. Get medical help if your toe continues to bleed or even starts to bleed worse after applying pressure for a few minutes. Also do this if the area around your nail is so painful that you cannot walk. The skin, bones and / or nerves under the nail may be damaged.
   • Get medical attention if your nail has split to the nail bed and you have diabetes or neuropathy.
4. Leave the nail alone. It can be tempting to touch, cut, or even rip off your nail. It's best to leave the crack alone until it has grown past your nail bed. Bandage the area while the skin is still irritated and use an antibiotic ointment every day.
   • If your nail catches on your socks, carpeting, and other objects, have your nail trimmed to a comfortable length by your doctor.
5. Soothe the pain with an over-the-counter pain reliever. If your toe continues to hurt, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin or ibuprofen to ease the pain and inflammation. Follow the dose instructions on the package and make sure to get advice from your doctor before taking any new painkillers.
   • Do not give aspirin to children and teens. Have them take acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
   • Don't use topical painkillers unless your doctor recommends them. You can use them when your broken skin has healed.
6. Cut the part with the crack when it has grown past the tip of your toe. When the crack has grown all the way past the tip of your toe, you can safely cut that portion off. Use nail scissors to gently trim your nail just below the split section. Then file your nail in one direction to smooth it and prevent it from splitting again.
   • Do not cut the cracked area if your nail bed is still sore and sensitive.
   • Do not use regular nail clippers to trim the split portion. Such a tool puts too much pressure on your nail, which can cause your nail to crack even further.

Method 3 of 3: Preventing a split nail

1. Work with your doctor. Chronic split nails can be caused by an underlying medical condition such as fungus or vitamin deficiency. Let your doctor know if you have constant split fingernails. He or she can examine you for underlying conditions and, if necessary, carry out treatment and prescribe medication.
2. Wet your nails less often. Your nails can become more brittle if they keep getting wet and then dry again. Reduce the amount of time your nails get wet and then dry again by wearing waterproof shoes on rainy and snowy days.
   • However, you can moisturize your nails by soaking them in water for 15 minutes a day, patting them dry, and applying a moisturizer (an emollient such as vegetable lotion or petroleum jelly).
3. Hydrate your nails daily. Spread foot cream, cuticle cream, or petroleum jelly on your nails to keep them hydrated. Do this at least once a day and let it soak completely into your nails to prevent them from becoming brittle and splitting.
   • Hydrate your nails extra strong by putting some foot cream on the sink and always lubricating your nails after showering.
4. Use nail polish and artificial nails less often. Applying and removing nail polish, decorations, stickers and artificial nails can be quite harmful to your toes. So do this less often and let your nails grow naturally.
5. Strengthen your nails naturally. Soak your nails in oils such as coconut oil, argan oil or tea tree oil for about 10 minutes. This way you hydrate them and they become less brittle. You can also take a dietary supplement containing biotin to strengthen your nails.
   • Do not use nail hardeners. You may benefit somewhat, but such remedies often contain ingredients like formaldehyde that do more harm than good.