Why do nails peel

More rarely, they can indicate a systemic condition, or a sign that a pathologic process is occurring inside your body. It takes six months for a fingernail to grow to its full length.

Trauma or damage to the nail itself can cause peeling. Soaking your hands in hot water while doing the dishes or engaging in any other prolonged water exposure can dry out the nails. This can also cause peeling. Internal causes can vary, but sometimes dry, peeling nails can indicate a vitamin deficiency, typically an iron deficiency.

Peeling nails rarely have internal causes or are a medical emergency. However, if your nails are causing severe pain or bleeding in addition to peeling, you may want to seek urgent medical care. If you suspect your peeling nails are the result of an iron deficiency, you may want to consider increasing your daily iron intake. Examples of foods that are high in iron include:.

You can also take a daily iron supplement. If you take a multivitamin , read the label carefully. Not all manufacturers include iron as a part of the standard multivitamin. To prevent this adverse effect, avoid taking excessive iron supplements. In addition to incorporating iron in your diet, the Mayo Clinic recommends asking your doctor about the possibility of taking biotin to help strengthen nails. You should also take steps to keep your nails moisturized. This includes minimizing prolonged exposure to water.

Ab Exercises for a Stronger Core. LaylaBird Getty Images. Your hands are frequently wet. Alena Ivochkina Getty Images. Eucerin amazon. CND amazon. OPI amazon. Kaitlyn Pirie Sr. Editor Kaitlyn started her career as a reporter in the research department at Real Simple and went on to become a health editor at Family Circle before joining the Hearst team.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Learn more here. A look at a black line on the nail, a common change that can happen due to a range of causes.

Included is detail on the diagnosis and when to see a…. Onycholysis is when the nails detach from the skin underneath. Conditions that cause it include trauma, psoriasis and fungal infections. How to fix peeling nails. Causes Related symptoms Home treatments Treatments for underlying conditions Prevention Takeaway and seeing a doctor Sometimes, horizontal splits may occur in the fingernails, resulting in thin layers of the nails peeling back.

What are the causes? Share on Pinterest Causes of peeling nails include exposure to chemicals and wearing acrylic nails. Related symptoms. Share on Pinterest Drinking water regularly may help to prevent peeling nails. Treating peeling nails at home. Share on Pinterest Pumpkin seeds are rich in iron. Treatments for underlying conditions.

Takeaway and when to see a doctor. As for peeling, these are the most common causes:. Perhaps the easiest way to keep nails strong on the reg is through a supplement. Collagen and biotin tend to be the most effective and are studied the most. In one small human study, collagen helped support the participants' nail health , including better growth rates, reduced breakage, and improved appearance.

Do your best to avoid nail traumas, be it from things big or small. Of course, these things can come up when we least expect them. But if you know you'll be working with your hands—say, in the garden or tending to home repairs—take extra precautions. If you look after your nails, you'll better be able to keep breaks at bay.

At the very least, nail hygiene can include keeping them trimmed to avoid snags and hydrated with conditioning oils , so they don't become brittle. You may also consider adding in a weekly gentle exfoliation: Research suggests that glycolic acid can help with restoring nail strength and thickness.

It's a common skin care ingredient—in peels, pads, or serums—so simply rub it in your nails once a week. For the more serious nail fanatics among us, aim for a manicure a week, so as not to keep your polish on too long between sessions. Don't leave gel polish for over three weeks, and take a break in between gel polishes. If you've tried more superficial measures and nothing seems to be improving, it's time to see a professional.

You can also rule out any disease on bloodwork. You can begin to treat the underlying reason for your nail problems once you have a better understanding as to what is causing your particular concerns," says Kormeili. Peeling nails are annoying, unsightly, and can be a regular occurrence. If you seem to be dealing with them, reach for a supplement, protect them from physical damage, and visit a derm, if the problem persists.

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