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Onychoschizia is commonly known as nail splitting which affects 20% of the population and is more an issue for women than men.
Onychorrhexis which is also a form of nail splitting which is long-wise where as onychoschizia occurs when the nail thins out and less able to retain moisture. You can have both at the same time, together they are called "brittle nail syndrome".
By definition:
Onychoschizia is splitting of fingernails or toenails in layers.
Onychorrhexis is an abnormal brittleness of fingernails or toenails with splitting of the free edge.
You can have two types of brittle splitting nails, cause by repeated wetting and drying making them dry and split or soft and brittle which are nails in contact with too much water, or chemicals.
It's most common in women or men over 40 due to the fact they are probably already experiencing the natural thinning and moisture depletion of skin, nails and hair that comes with getting older. Women are more likely to have splitting nails because they tend to have jobs that require lots of contact with water.
It can also be caused by trauma to the nail. Not using your nails as tools is very helpful. Serious trauma like caused at the nail base will result in a recurring split in your nails which can't be reversed.
Treatments?
Some of the best treatments for splitting nails is try to avoid repeated wetting and drying of your nails. Where cotton gloves inside your rubber gloves when you can, and apply hand lotion after drying your hands. Using cuticle oils and skin conditioning lotions massaged into your nails can help.
Biotin or vitamin B-12 has been said to be helpful in promoting good nail health. Gelatin has not been proven to help your nails no matter how long that has been around.
Nail hardeners that contain formaldehyde may increase your nail strength but can be too drying if used all the time. Now a day’s many nail polish companies offer formaldehyde free nail strengtheners. If you use one with formaldehyde then applying only to the free edge (growing end) of your nail is better. There are a few nail polish types that have silk fibers in them that could be helpful as well. Try not to remove your nail polish with acetone remover; it's too drying for your already weak nails.
Other things you can do is keep the nail edges smoothly filed to prevent snagging. Never use metal instruments to push back your cuticles as these can scrape away protective cells on your nail surface. Never pick at or peel off your nail polish if it chips.
Use top coats to protect your manicures if best you may have to keep your nails super short till the splitting part of your nail have grown out.
Check with your dermatologist for more information and treatment options.
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