Why Nails Crack on the Sides and How to Prevent It 

By Suzanne Roberta Meyer, MBA

I personally have battled my entire life with cracks on the sides of my thumb nails and this chronic problem, in part, led me to create Adesse New York.

Whenever I removed my nail polish, within hours, my thumb nails would start to crack on the sides. The would get caught on my clothes, snag the fabric and break even more.

I would have to cut them down to my skin to reduce the cracking, so my nails would never grow because I was always cutting them down to remove the cracks.

But here’s the good news. I’ve been dealing with this for a long time and I finally figured out what causes it and how to prevent it. If you're like me and you suffer from this miserable nail issue, read on...you'll be so glad you did :-)

Fingernails can crack on the side for a variety of reasons. Some common causes include:

• Dryness: When the nails are dry, they can become brittle and prone to cracking. This can be caused by frequent washing of the hands, exposure to harsh chemicals, or using hot water without moisturizing afterwards.
• Nutrient deficiency: A deficiency in certain nutrients, such as biotin, can lead to dry and brittle nails.
• Dehydration: If your body is dehydrated, your nails may become dry and prone to cracking.
• Fingernail injuries: Trauma to the nails, such as from biting or picking at the nails, can cause them to crack on the side.
• Age: As we age, our nails may naturally become more brittle and prone to cracking.

To prevent fingernails from cracking on the side, you can try the following:

• Keep your nails moisturized: Use a nourishing nail oil or cuticle oil to keep your nails hydrated. We recommend Nail & Cuticle Energizer in the morning and Marine Algae Hydration Serum at night.
• Protect your nails: Wear gloves when doing household chores or using harsh chemicals to protect your nails from drying out.
• Avoid biting or picking at your nails: This can cause trauma to the nails and increase the risk of cracking.
• Keep nails filed, shaped and buffed with our Glass Nail File Duo Set.
• If you're polishing your nails, we recommend starting with a hydrating base coat such as Hydra Veil Base Coat, made with quenching Cucumber Water and nourishing Cotton Seed Oil. 
• Eat a healthy diet: A well-balanced diet can help ensure that you are getting the nutrients your nails need to stay healthy.
• Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated can help keep your nails hydrated as well.
• Keep nails protected at all times with a serum that helps repair the nail keratin layers. We recommend W3 Peptide Serum.