My thumbnail has a ridge running down it from some long ago forgotten damage. That ridge develops into an open crack near the end of the nail. This open crack is there no matter how short I trim the nail. It doesn’t stay level either, so one side is always snagging on something.

I have tried different methods of filing and cutting with no luck. I’ve tried super glue only to make a failed mess.

Anyone have any guidance or tips?

IF your nail has an eruption that lasts more than 4 weeks, see a doctor...

Or some cute asian gal to give you a manicure,

See a doc to see if you have some infection under the nail or what possible solution exists...

Get the gel and powder nail builder wimminz use to build up nails. (it's similar to superglue with acrylic powder)

You clean up the nail edge and buff the nail with a fine grit emery board, then apply the liquid and then sprinkle powder, repeat until the nail end is built up, then file and buff.

It should last a few weeks, then you do it again.

Put a fake one on it until it grows out properly

Are your other nails like that? That could be a nutrient deficiency. If just the one you might have an infection in the nail bed.

I have been told that a Vitamin E cream, applied to the nail and rubbed in to the cuticle area where the nail originates will help with this.

Monkey's method works, too.

Thanks all, I’ll try sigmonkey’s idea or maybe HRK’s idea with the cute manicurist.

Talk to your doctor about a prescription for Spiranolactone.

I had split fingernails, never could get that to stop, until one day I was in my Doctors office for a routine visit. He noticed my fingernails, showed me his, he had the same issue, only worse, and told me about Spiranolactone.

He gave me a script and told me to try it and let him know. It worked!

If you are already taking a water pill such as HCTZ, you'll have to stop taking that. Doc explained to me that Spiranolactone is also a water pill, but something in Spiranolactone helps the nails. You can't take HCTZ and Spiranolactone at the same time.
.

EDIT to add: I just checked GoodRx, (a site I highly recommend to save on prescription costs) and the over the counter price is $7 to $9 bucks.

I have ridges that will split also. All my nails. I did allot of damage to them through out life. I true the toughasnails that stuff burned, and the edges were first to wear off and the split would start.
I don't drink allot of water. I think that may be the problem

https://www.ehealthme.com/ds/s...ctone/brittle-nails/

This stuff makes you pee more.
Thus worse dehydration.
Maybe it's the more water that was consumed by the above.

Before you start taking drugs or seeing a manicurist, book an appointment with a dermatologist. You can tell a lot about a person's health from looking at fingernails.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
You can tell a lot about a person's health from looking at fingernails.

Anything like hairy knuckles?

Since you asked:

https://www.webmd.com/skin-pro...how-nails-and-health