Onychorrhexis is a condition where vertical cracks form on the nail surface, causing the nail the split at the centre. Usually caused by excess usage of cuticle removers and nail colour removers which causes the nail to dehydrate.
There are cases where applying too much stress to the nails can induce the condition.
Possible causes
A couple of causes can be thought of.
- Peripheral circulatory failure occurring at the nail roots
- Skin disease, Psoriasis and Eczema
- Too much solvents applied to the cuticles
- Jobs with loads of contact with organic solvents and alcohols with the hands
- Working in very humid conditions
- Endocrine and metabolic disorders
- Hypothyroidism, ovarian dysfunction, diabetes, hyperuricemia, anaemia, diseases of the nervous system, chronic liver failure
In conclusion, any stress applied to the base of the nail increases the risk of this condition.
When symptoms appear
When symptoms appear try to stop doing whatever could be the cause. Products for nail care and steroid applications have been known to contribute to treating to this condition.
Other causes include endocrine disorders, metabolic disorders and other internal abnormalities of the body. In such cases, the problems are not the nails themselves.
The condition can be limited locally or can occur generally across the body with different causes. It is important for the cause to ascertained by a medical professional.
