Chipped, peeling, flaky fingernails are never in style. If you're
reading this, you've probably tried a lot of different products and
strategies to stop the problem from happening. Understanding how your
nails got that way in the first place could help you come up with a
better strategy.
Here are eight of the top causes of peeling fingernails.
Climate Changes
No,
we're not talking about carbon emissions. Your nails are not suffering
from global warming the way the polar bears are. It's just that sudden
changes in the weather, or extreme weather conditions, might be
affecting your nails. Usually the culprit is cold, dry weather that
dehydrates the nail plate, causing layers to separate and flake off. To
solve it, try rubbing in a rich lotion or moisturizer every morning and
evening—and wear gloves!
Dietary Issues
Many
people will say that if your nails are peeling, it's a lack of protein
that's the cause. This is really unlikely in North America or Western
Europe, even if you're a hard-core vegan. Usually, if diet's to blame
for your fingernail problems, it's a lack of biotin, sulfur, or
B-vitamins (which is a concern for vegans). A good supplement,
along with a few extra servings of raw vegetables and fruit, should
alleviate the chipping.
Prescription Medications
Some
medicines have a drying effect on the skin and nails. If your peeling
nails became an issue after you started taking a certain drug, you
should head to the manufacturer's website to double-check side effects.
We'd never recommend quitting any physician-prescribed drug just for the
sake of your fingernails. Instead, try improving your diet, as in step
2, and moisturizing, as in step 1. If that doesn't work, pick a good
nail strengthener (see step 8).
Psoriasis, Yeast Infections, or Other Skin Conditions
If
you're suffering from a skin condition such as psoriasis or a yeast
infection, there could be knock-on effects for your nails. Many
psoriasis patients also report chipping and peeling nails. If you've
been given a prescription ointment or cream for what's on your skin, try
rubbing it on your nails, too.
Chemical Exposure
Lots
of people don't take proper precautions when cleaning the house or
conducting pest control. For the sake of your lungs, ventilate the room.
For the sake of your nails, wear gloves. Chemicals and solvents present
in many cleaning products can dry out or damage your fingernails,
leading to peeling.
Immersion in Water
Water
swells and separates the layers of the nail plate. If you keep
re-wetting the nails, they never dry properly, leading to flaking and
peels. If you're in a job where you soak your hands or have to wash them
regularly, you're going to have nail problems unless you take evasive
action. Wear gloves wherever possible, and moisturize at least twice a
day, if not more. Fitness swimmers who spend more than an hour in the
pool should rub olive oil or petroleum jelly into their nails before
starting their laps.
Post-Fake Nail Trauma
Really
well-done acrylic nails look great, but it's pretty much inevitable
that your nails will be paper thin and damaged once you have the fakes
taken off. You'll have to be patient, and stimulate new growth with
diet, moisturizers, and nail strengtheners. But don't just pick any nail
strengthener…
The Wrong Kind of Nail Treatments
Nail
strengtheners and peeling nail solutions contain a lot of chemicals.
Most of them are designed to make your nails bond back together to
prevent breaking and peeling. Some of them may actually be making the
problem worse. Formaldehyde, an ingredient in several popular
strengtheners, can cause drying and irritation of the skin and nails—not
to mention being a suspected cause of breast cancer. Switch to a nail
care product that's free of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl pthalate,
such as Nail Aid's Peeling Nail Intense Repair Gel. Your entire body, not just your nails, will thank you.
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