Injury
The vast majority of nail split cases are due to an injury. This can happen if someone accidentally hits the finger with a hammer or slam their hand into a door. It can also occur if an individual stubs their toe or drops something heavy on their foot.
In most cases, the injury will cause the nail to crack but not fully split. However, if the crack is deep enough, it can cause the nail to separate from the nail bed and eventually fall off. Once the nail has fallen off, new growth will begin immediately.
The speed of growth varies from person to person, but it usually takes six to eight weeks for a fingernail and 12 to 16 weeks for a toenail to grow back completely. During this time, it’s common for the new nail to be brittle and susceptible to breaking. In some cases, an injury can cause permanent damage to the nail bed, leading to deformities in the new nail as it grows back. For people who have suffered a vertical nail split, it is important to rinse the injured area with warm water and soap to promote healing and prevent further damage.
