- With Mayo Clinic dermatologist
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Dr. Lawrence Gibson likens bad health information on the Internet to food poisoning.
Consumers, he said, need to be aware, and will find reliable information at MayoClinic.com.
Dr. Gibson, a Covington, Ky., native, has been with Mayo since 1986 and is board certified in dermatology, dermatopathology and immunodermatology. He is a professor of dermatology at Mayo Medical School and a consultant in the Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Gibson has been director of the Dermatopathology Laboratory since 1998 and chair of the Laboratory Division in the Department of Dermatology since 2000. He is especially interested in inflammatory disorders of the skin and lymphoma affecting the skin.
"Electronic information is becoming a staple in the diet of a health conscious society," he said. "It's important to avoid misinformation and provide a credible source for health information. Using this analogy, it's critical to avoid 'indigestion' or worse yet, 'food poisoning' by the ingestion of tainted information."
Staying healthy (3)
- Air fresheners: Are continuous scents harmful?
- Cell phones and cancer: What's the risk?
- Mammogram guidelines: What's changed?
Dental care (3)
- Whitening toothpaste: Does it actually whiten teeth?
- Dental floss vs. water pick: Which is better?
- Electric toothbrush: Better than a regular toothbrush?
Skin care (7)
- Healthy skin: What role does diet play?
- Tanning beds: Safer than the sun?
- Tattoos and MRIs: What's the risk?
- see all in Skin care
Nail care (4)
- Acrylic nails: Can they harm your natural nails?
- Split fingernails: What causes them?
- Nail biting: Does it cause long-term damage?
- see all in Nail care
Eye care (2)
- Eye exam: Do I need a laser retina scan?
- Choosing sunglasses: Is UV protection important?
Sleep (3)
- Melatonin side effects: What are the risks?
- Sleep guidelines: How many hours of sleep are enough?
- Sleep aids: Can antihistamines help me sleep?
Mental health (1)
- Passive-aggressive behavior: How can I recognize it?
Healthy at work (3)
- Shift work: How do I adjust to daytime sleeping?
- Leg pain after prolonged standing or sitting: A concern?
- Test anxiety: Can it be treated?
Mayo Clinic Health Manager
Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.
Get Started
About our e-newsletters
- Free e-newsletters
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- We do not share your e-mail address
Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
Housecall Archives
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Question
Split fingernails: What causes them?
What causes split fingernails? Can the splitting be prevented?
Answer
from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Split fingernails are typically a result of repetitive or prolonged contact with water — think dishwashing and tub baths, for example. Nail polish remover also can contribute to split fingernails. Split fingernails usually aren't a sign of vitamin, mineral or other nutritional deficiencies.
To prevent split fingernails, treat your nails gently:
- Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when using soap and water for prolonged periods or when using harsh chemicals.
- Avoid long soaks in the tub.
- Repair fingernail splits or tears with nail glue or clear polish.
- Use nail polish remover no more than twice a month. If you polish your nails, touch up the polish in the meantime. When you do use nail polish remover, avoid those that contain acetone.
- Limit manicures.
- Rub moisturizing lotion into your fingernails after washing your hands and after removing nail polish.
- Keep your fingernails neatly trimmed. Round the tips in a gentle curve.
If the splitting doesn't improve or you're concerned about your split fingernails, ask your doctor for additional suggestions.
Next question
