Causes and treatment of peeling fingernails

Why do fingernails peel?

• metabolic disorders after long-term drug treatment;
• seasonal vitamin deficiency;
• chronic deficiency of vitamins and minerals;
• hormonal imbalance during adolescence, pregnancy, menopause, taking oral hormonal contraceptives;
• abnormal nutrition during dieting, prolonged fasting;
• eating insufficient quantities of foods rich in calcium, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium and Omega-3.6 fatty acids;
• frequent use of decorative varnish without a special protective base;
• contact with washing powders, dishwashing detergents and cleaning without rubber gloves;
• poor-quality manicure and tools for its implementation;
• mechanical damage due to friction or impact;
• fungus or nail lichen;
• hypothermia of hands.

Peeling nails: cause and treatment

Many girls and women ask the question: “why do nails peel and break?” The problem, of course, is poor diet, constant stress, or even the spread of fungus.

Why do fingernails peel: reasons?

Poor nutrition

The most common reason why your nails peel, crack and acquire an unnatural yellowish color is an unbalanced diet.

If your nails are peeling, what vitamin is missing?

Your body doesn't have enough:

1. Protein, which you can get from meat, eggs, cheese and nuts.
2. Magnesium. It is necessary for proper growth of the nail plate. It can be obtained from foods such as pumpkin seeds, walnuts, chocolate and cocoa, as well as sprouted wheat grains.
3. Sulfur. If it is not enough, then the nails become very vulnerable to fungal diseases. In addition, their thinning is observed. Eat more onions, cheese, garlic and cabbage.
   Interesting to know

   Lack of sulfur can be present from birth. Due to the thinning of the plate, extensions are contraindicated for such people.

   Read also:  Longitudinal and transverse grooves on fingernails
4. Calcium, which is the most important component of bone tissue formation. This is what makes your nails strong. You can get calcium by eating foods such as:

• milk;
• cereals and legumes;
• fish and meat;
• eggs;
• greenery.

In addition to these essential microelements for the proper functioning of the body, brittle nails depend on a lack of zinc, selenium, silicon and phosphorus.

Important point

It is fats that are responsible for the elasticity of the nail plate. Their lack leads to delamination. If a woman often goes on diets, limiting herself to fatty foods, this can cause peeling nails. Remember, your body also needs fat.

Nails peel and break: reasons not related to nutrition

Mishandling

Are your nails peeling? – the reason may lie not only in poor diet, but also in the frequent use of hot water. Due to constant washing of dishes and taking hot baths, the nail plate softens and becomes thicker. After some time you can observe delamination.

What can I do to prevent my nails from peeling? Use protective gloves when washing dishes and reduce the amount of contact with water.

In addition, the structure of the nail deteriorates due to the use of detergents and cleaning products. The active components of chemicals damage the surface, degrease it and deplete the nail.

Another important factor that can make your nails unsightly is mechanical damage or the worst habit of biting them. Do not open tightly closed objects with your hands, because nails are not a screwdriver.

Another reason why fingernails peel and break is stress. As they say, all our diseases are caused by nerves. So, during a strong experience, blood flow is disrupted, which is associated with blood pressure dysfunction. Therefore, if you observe separation, especially on your thumbs, remember if you have been experiencing this recently.

Diseases

A manifestation of heart-related diseases can be a bluish color of the nails and their delamination.

If you have an infection in your body, then the nail plate:

• delaminates;
• becomes thicker;
• dotted with transverse grooves.

If you observe severe layering of your nails, you may have serious problems with metabolic disorders. In addition, stomach diseases affect fragility.

note

Often, splitting of nails is caused by not one reason, but several. As a rule, your hair splits, falls out and breaks at the same time. And if you start proper nail treatment for peeling, the condition of your hair will immediately noticeably improve.

How to recognize the disease by the color of your nails?

Pay attention to the color of the nail plate and its shape. If your nails have:

• yellow color with bumps, you may have liver problems, fungus, psoriasis, or diabetes;
• bluish tint – blood circulation is impaired;
• white spots or dots - you do not have enough Zn or K;
• a convex plate - may indicate lung disease or cancer;
• shape resembling a spoon – lack of iron;
• soft and brittle nails that do not have a hole - you most likely have problems with the thyroid gland.

Baths for peeling nails

All nail strengthening procedures are carried out over a period of 3-4 weeks, and it is even better to make them permanent in the hand care system. Then you can forget about peeling fingernails. You will also tidy up the cuticle, rid it of grooves and burrs. Causes and treatment may vary.

Esters with soap. If your fingernails are peeling, you need to take 2 tablespoons of sea salt and dissolve it in hot water. Add 0.5 teaspoon of liquid soap, 5-10 drops of iodine, 0.5 ml. any essential oil (lemon, orange, mint, tea tree). Soak your nails in this solution for a quarter of an hour, what could be easier? The procedure should be done once a week at home.

Oils

. Take 5-10 ml. Heat any fatty oil (avocado, olive, jojoba) in a water bath. Add 2-3 drops of any essential oil. Keep your hands in the prepared bath for 20-30 minutes. The oil will strengthen the plate and tidy up the cuticle.

Lemon juice with salt . Dissolve 10 g in warm water. sea ​​salt, add squeezed juice from one lemon or orange and add any fatty oil. Dip your fingers into the solution for 10 minutes. You need to take a bath every other day. This procedure will not only strengthen your nails, but also whiten them.

Iodine with oil. Add 5 ml to vegetable or any fatty oil heated in a water bath. Yoda. Keep the marigolds in this solution for 10-15 minutes. After the procedure, do not wash your hands, just pat dry with a towel or napkin.

Sea salt. You need to dissolve 50 g. sea ​​salt in hot water. Soak your hands in this solution for 10-15 minutes. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a week. The marine component will eliminate brittleness of nails and make them strong.

Medicinal herbs. Prepare an herbal infusion. To do this, pour boiling water over chamomile, celandine and thyme for 20 minutes. Immerse your hands in the prepared broth for half an hour. After the specified time has passed, rinse them with cool water.

Professional treatments

During treatment, do not cancel your visit to the salon. But it’s still better to give up long lengths for a while and opt for a rounded shape: this way you can avoid the risk of getting caught on something and breaking your nails.

It is also worth holding off on using gel polish. The coating can have a negative impact on a weakened nail plate, and it is likely that it will not hold up as well. In any case, a little “break” won’t hurt.

But salon strengthening procedures, on the contrary, can be an excellent solution when you urgently need to get your hands in order. Thus, masters use biogel, thanks to which you can achieve the effect of strong, healthy nails. Acrylic powder is also popular, which protects the nails, making them durable. In addition, positive results can be achieved using the IBX system: a special drug penetrates the structure of the nail plate, strengthening it from the inside.

It is very important that such procedures are performed by an experienced professional, and then the result will certainly please you.

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Masks for peeling nails

In addition to baths, masks are considered important components in the plate and hand care system. You can prepare them yourself. If your fingernails peel, use these simple tips and see what to do next.

They need to be used at home for a long time and regularly to maintain good results. All masks are applied to unvarnished plates. Before using the mask, steam your hands in a warm salt solution or herbal decoction. After the procedure, rinse off the mask thoroughly.

Tocopherol (vitamin E in ampoules). The mask is easy to use and very effective. Rub the contents of a vitamin E ampoule into the plate without varnish several times a day.

Wax. Melt a small amount of wax in a water bath and dip your fingertips into it. Soon the wax will harden and a so-called protective shell will form. Walk with him for 30-60 minutes. If desired, you can leave it overnight. Everyone knows that wax is a storehouse of vitamins and microelements that are beneficial for the plate. The composition will also polish the nails, seal them and help solve the problem of delamination.

Red pepper. Take 10 g. hot red pepper powder, 5 ml. olive or castor oil and the same amount of any hand cream. Stir all ingredients and apply to plate. You can distribute the resulting mass into your hands. After half an hour, wash off with warm water and soap.

Cosmetic oils. Take 0.5 teaspoon of warm almond oil (can be replaced with castor, olive, apricot or peach oil), mix with 1-2 drops of ether (any will do - lavender, tea tree, lemon, orange). Apply the composition several times a day and at night.

What can I do to prevent my nails from peeling? - we look at the root of the problem

Nails are brittle and peeling: what to do? Of course, look for the cause, and then only carry out treatment.

Finding out for sure why fingernails peel (treatment) is very difficult, because it is necessary to carry out a comprehensive diagnosis, which will cost several times more than eliminating the problem itself. That is why we propose to approach this issue comprehensively.

Fingernails are very peeling: what to do? – complex treatment

1. We worry as little as possible
2. Healthy sleep. You need to sleep at least 7-8 hours. Try to ventilate the room at night - fresh air will not hurt you.
3. We eliminate bad habits.
4. We provide quality nail care. It is necessary to use a gentle file, avoid direct contact with chemicals, and do not remove the varnish with acetone.
5. We buy vitamins at the pharmacy. Share your problem with the pharmacist at any pharmacy, and he will definitely select a suitable complex of vitamins and microelements for you (they should include calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and also contain vitamin D, which will help their absorption).
6. Balanced diet:

• cottage cheese, milk and hard cheese;
• fish, meat, beans and eggs;
• dried fruits, especially dates;
• cabbage, beets and celery;
• nuts, especially almonds and brazil and hazelnuts;
• sunflower and pumpkin seeds.

Scrub for peeling nails

A skin scrub can also be a good help in the fight against peeling fingernails. After all, the removal of old, newly keratinized skin is required not only for the body and face, but also for our hands.

You can make your own or use ready-made store-bought body scrubs, such as “Clean Line”, “Black Pearl”, “100 Beauty Recipes”.

Make your own hand sanitizer at home. To do this, take 15 grams. honey and 30 gr. Sahara. Massage your hands with the resulting mixture for several minutes, then rinse off the scrub. Honey can be replaced with coconut oil.

Conditions in which nails peel and break

Onychoschisis

In this condition, a median or symmetrical leaf-shaped splitting of the plate occurs. Only the free edge is split in the transverse direction, and its main part is not damaged. The nail may grow and not break, but its free edge becomes thinner.

Causes:

• occupational disease due to the influence of alkaline solutions;
• aggressive influence of varnish, etc.;
• injuries that are constantly repeated;
• improperly performed manicure;
• the influence of polishing tools used during manicure;
• low quality varnishes;
• x-ray dermatitis ;
• congenital epidermolysis .

Sometimes the color changes to off-white or greyish. Most often, plates are affected on the index, ring and middle fingers.

Treatment for brittle nails in this condition consists of long-term intake of vitamin A , ingestion of a 10% gelatin solution, and injections of vitamin B12 .

Onycholysis

A disease of a trophic nature. The plate separates from the nail bed. As a result, the nail plate completely or partially peels off from the side or from the free edge.

Causes:

• professional injuries;
• influence of alkalis or acids;
• various skin diseases - eczema , psoriasis , streptoderma etc.;
• endocrine disorders;
• fungal infections;
• syphilis.

The nail plate peels off and becomes white-gray.

It can affect either one or several plates on any fingers, including the toes.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the lesion. Syntomycin ointment is applied to the affected area for several days . It is also recommended to lubricate the affected area with Castellani Liquid . During the treatment period, you need to take vitamin A and gelatin orally.

Onychorrhexis

Longitudinal grooves appear on the nails; they start from the free edge, then split in the longitudinal direction. The process is complicated by the appearance of deep cracks.

Causes:

• lichen planus;
• eczema;
• psoriasis;
• diseases of the digestive system;
• lack of vitamins.

Alternating stripes, light and dark, appear on the affected plates. The nails on the fingers and toes, one or several plates at once, may be affected. The use of vitamin A for 1 month is indicated.

Brittle nails

In this condition, the free edge of the nail plate breaks off, and the top layer of the nail or all its layers are destroyed. As a result, the edge of the plate becomes uneven, resembling a fringe.

With this condition, the nail fold is often damaged. When the free edge is carefully cut away, the plate appears healthy. However, as it grows, the nails again become thin and brittle.

If a person has too thin fingernails, the reasons can be both external and internal.

Causes:

• improperly done manicure;
• influence of low temperatures and chemicals;
• endocrine disorders.

The color of the plate does not change, only its free edge becomes transparent or whitish, and chips of the plate are visible on it. As a rule, all nails are affected.

If your nails peel, what to do depends on the problem that caused such manifestations. In any case, if a person notices that over a period of time the fingernails or toenails become very peeling, or that the free parts of the nails are breaking, it is important to visit a dermatologist or mycologist.

But in some cases, only a specialist gastroenterologist or endocrinologist can tell you what to do if your fingernails peel, having discovered the internal cause of such problems during the research process.

Sometimes it is necessary to examine the plate for fungus and microelements; the doctor also often prescribes laboratory blood tests and hormonal tests.

A doctor can prescribe effective treatment only after determining the cause of the problem. Therefore, advice on what to do at home if your nails peel is not always relevant.

Pharmaceutical products for peeling nails

In addition to well-proven baths and masks for peeling nails, pharmaceutical products can come to the rescue. Let's take a look at some of them.

1. Bio-wax for nails is nourishing, strengthening and accelerates growth. For example, the DNC.

2. Creams for cuticle and nail care. Try “Super Nails”, “Garni”, “LibreDerm”, “AEVIT”.

3. Oils and balms for nails. Consider a balm to strengthen the plate and care for the Crimean cuticle.

4. A series of therapeutic varnishes “Smart enamel” or “Librederm”.

5. A series of restoring varnishes, plate strengtheners, cuticle and nail care products, “EL Corazon” bio-gels.

6. Also in any line of decorative varnishes you will find products for strengthening and treating nails - for example, AVON, Oriflame, Faberlic, Orly, Yves Rosher.

Treatment in adults

First of all, pay attention to what your hands are in contact with. If you understand that your detergent is harmful to the skin and horny plates, then use gloves when working around the house.

The same goes for cosmetics. Apply makeup to your face while wearing rubber or plastic gloves. Also dye your hair with your hands protected. Do not be too lazy to treat your hands with protective cream before cosmetic procedures. This will preserve the healthy color of your nails and prolong their youth.

When filing the tips of your nails, use a glass or ceramic file rather than an iron file. Make movements only in one direction. Don't make too much effort and know how to stop in time. Our nails, although they are keratinized pieces of skin similar to the claws of animals and birds, are still sensitive to various types of mechanical damage.

Video on peeling fingernails: causes and treatment:

Vitamin deficiency is the scourge of our century. Nails react to it first of all. To give them the microparticles they need, consult your doctor. Most likely, he will advise you on a course of taking calcium and vitamins that will help it be absorbed. These are vitamins of groups A, B, C, PP and D.

A significant benefit to nails against splitting can be provided with the help of oil. Olive, sunflower, glycerin and other oils will soften the cuticles and save the nails from excessive stress. Pepper, which can be wrapped with a bandage on peeling nails, also helps a lot.

Sea salt is a mineral-rich source of health. Daily ten-minute baths will perfectly cope with many nail diseases. Water with sea salt in it can be heated to body temperature so that it is absorbed as deeply as possible into the keratinized epidermis.

A balanced diet and taking all the necessary vitamins are the key to health in general and nails in particular. Do not neglect such a simple remedy as crushed eggshells. It is a source of easily digestible calcium. Multivitamin complexes such as “Pikovit” and others help restore the natural processes of regeneration of nails and skin. Fish oil will also not be superfluous for splitting nails.

Doctors and accredited cosmetologists practice a radical method of combating separation. It's called "sealing." Medicine or medical varnish is applied to the nails, covered with a protective layer of special paraffin and glycerin, and left for 1-2 weeks. While medications restore your nails to their former youth and beauty, you should not use varnish, alcohol-containing preparations, expose your nails to high and low temperatures, and take all necessary precautions.

In the video, how to treat peeling fingernails:

Creams for peeling nails

If you have peeling fingernails, you also need to take care of your skin. What to do, this is generally quite possible. Consider these creams when caring for your hands at home:

• Cream-batter for hands, deep nutrition and restoration “CAFE mimi”;
• Hand and cuticle cream with goat milk softening “Beauty Farm”;
• Hand and nail cream with oleoresin “Nevskaya Cosmetics”;
• Hand and nail cream “Creme d`olive L`ADELEIDE”;
• Solid hand oil “Mylovarov”, sea buckthorn jam.

How health problems are reflected in the quality and structure of nail plates

A worrying sign is a change in the quality of nails, which are directly related to health. So, the main warning signs may be:

1. The formation of dents and depressions on the surface of the nail, which can warn of psoriasis.
2. The nail plate becomes convex - this is a sign of the development of oncology or problems with the lungs and respiratory tract.
3. Nails take the shape of a “spoon” - this means that there is a lack of iron in the body.
4. If the nail plates change color and acquire a bluish tint, this may be a sign of problems with blood circulation.
5. The appearance of yellowness on the nails is evidence of liver disease.
6. If your nails start to peel, it means it's time to replenish your B vitamin and calcium reserves.
7. When the surface of the nail becomes lumpy and the simultaneous appearance of a yellow tint to the plate may indicate the development of diabetes mellitus or various types of fungal diseases in the body.

READ ALSO: The effectiveness of Losterin cream

Dietary supplements for peeling nails

An important factor in treating the problem can be the use of vitamin-mineral complexes and medications (dietary supplements). In any pharmacy in your city you can find the following drugs:

• "Alphabet Cosmetics" for beauty and health;
• "Calcium D3 nycomed";
• Vitamin and mineral complex “Selmevit”;
• Dietary supplement for hair and nails “Pantovigar”;
• "Duovit";
• "Vitrum";
• "Biomax";
• Special dragees "Merz";
• Spirulina "VEL";
• Fish oil capsules;
• Flaxseed oil in capsules.

Nutrition for peeling nails

External beauty begins from within. Therefore, to prevent the problem of peeling nails, eat foods rich in calcium, zinc, iron, and phosphorus. These include lettuce, seeds, nuts, cereals, eggs, meat, and legumes.

The lack of calcium can be compensated by adding yoghurts, cheeses, and milk to the diet. Don't forget about vegetables. Eat beets, cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes and fruits. In particular, include oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, and melon in your diet.