Help! My Toenail Cracked — What Should I Do?

When your toenail cracks or splits, podiatrists call it onychoschizia. You may crack a toenail as a result of several potential causes, including trauma, nail psoriasis, overexposure to moisture, or even an anxiety disorder. 

However it happens, you don’t need to panic. In this comprehensive guide to addressing and treating cracked toenails, expert podiatrist Dr. Leonard Greenwald advises you on what to do.

Dr. Greenwald provides nail care for new and existing patients from his practice in San Jose, California. No matter how you’ve torn, broken, or cracked your toenail, he can help. Here’s what Dr. Greenwald wants you to do and not do after a nail injury.

When to seek medical care for a cracked toenail

After a toenail crack, the first thing to do is to assess the severity of the split. This determines whether you can address your cracked nail with at-home treatments or need to seek medical care from a podiatrist like Dr. Greenwald.

Severe nail splits require professional attention. Watch out for indicators like continuous nail pain, visible nail distortion, horizontal ridges on your nail, blue or purple color on the affected nail, or a white color appearing beneath your nail. If you’re unsure about what to do, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Greenwald to get your questions answered.

At-home treatments for cracked toenails

Many home remedies involve keeping your nail together until the split grows out. You may be able to use a small amount of adhesive to glue your split nail back together. Nail polish can hide the crack and strengthen your nail while it recovers.

Other at-home approaches to cracked nails use materials like a tea bag or silk to bridge the crack in your nail. Cut a small section of a tea bag and brush it with adhesive, covering the crack. Or, wrap your affected nail with a small piece of silk and then apply a layer of gel on top to hold it in place. You can even cover a damaged nail with a false nail!

Professional treatments for cracked toenails

Sometimes your nail needs more intensive treatment after breaking or cracking. Badly damaged toenails may need to be removed or reattached with stitches or specialized glue. The nail bed beneath your damaged nail may need stitches, as well.

If you have an underlying medical condition like psoriasis causing damage to your nail bed, prescription medications may be necessary to get this issue under control. You may also require medication for a fungal or bacterial infection.

Dr. Greenwald can additionally provide advice on avoiding future nail breaks. You may benefit from biotin supplements, taking a break from nail polish, or reducing your feet’s exposure to water if you suffer from repeat toenail cracking or breakage.

When your toenail cracks and you don’t know what to do, reach out to Dr. Greenwald. Schedule an initial consultation today by booking your appointment online or over the phone.