thumbnail spitting

[dsmall0084]

both my nail have a ridge in the center and then they break on the end so I have a v in my nail..it goes down to the quick..wondeing what causes it and what I can do to correct it.  I try to keep nail short
Thanks Debbie

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
It could be a fungal infection of the skin which is quite common especially if it involves keeping your hands immersed in water for a long duration(as in your job or doing dishes etc.)
Topical antifungal drugs containing miconazole (Daktarin, Micatin & Monistat), clotrimazole (Canesten, Hydrozole), terbinafine (Lamisil), butenafine and tolnaftate (Tinactin), many available without a prescription, are used to clear up the infection.
It could alse be due to psoriasis of the nail.
Nail psoriasis  produces a variety of changes in the appearance of finger and toe nails. These changes include discolouring under the nail plate, pitting of the nails, lines going across the nails, thickening of the skin under the nail, and the loosening (onycholysis) and crumbling of the nail.
Ointment and creams containing coal tar, dithranol (anthralin), corticosteroids like desoximetasone (Topicort), vitamin D3 analogues (for example, calcipotriol), and retinoids are routinely used. Argan oil has also been used with some promising results.
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoriasis