Peeling Nails

If you are reading this article, it is quite obvious that you are keen on nail care, and that you are facing nail problems. Well, let me explain what exactly peeling of nails means. Peeling nails is a nail disorder called onycholysis, in which the fingernail splits off from the nail. Don't panic girls, and guys! It is not as serious as the word "onycholysis" sounds! In fact, it can be easily prevented and taken care of, if need be. Onycholysis (peeling nails) is usually seen with brittle and weak fingernails, often observed in women with long nails. Before jumping to the causes and their remedies, let me first brief you about the symptoms of peeling nails. Early signs should be checked first, shouldn't they?

Peeling Nails Symptoms

As I've said earlier, peeling nails is usually seen with brittle and weak nails. Now here's a list of early signs that could help you in detecting whether your nails are prone to peeling. It could also help in finding the root cause of your peeling nails. Early signs of peeling nails include:

• Chirping of nails
• Spontaneous separation of nail from its nail bed
• Frequent breaking of nails
• Loosening up of nails
• Nails falling off

Peeling Nails: Causes with Remedies

There are several reasons why a fingernail can get peeled off from its nail bed. The causes of peeling nails could be medical or non-medical. After doing a thorough research, I've come across the following five causes that are most common and highly responsible for peeling nails.

Chemical Exposure: It is not at all surprising to know that chemical exposure is one of the most commonly found factors causing peeling nails. People tend to ignore nail care when they are handling chemicals like bathroom cleansing liquids, pest control sprays and other solvents. Women often apply low-quality nail colors and nail color removers. All these liquids and solvents contain harmful chemicals that dry out, if not washed and taken care of, and cause peeling nails.
Prevention & Remedy: If you think chemical exposure could be a cause of your peeling nails, the best preventive measure would be to avoid chemical contact as far as possible. In case of a chemical contact, always remember to wash off your hands every time you come in contact with chemicals, whether or not you are having peeling nails. If you are already dealing with peeling nails, the remedy is to apply a hand and nail sanitizer followed by nail-moisturizers that contain jojoba oil and Vitamin E.

Overexposure to Water: After chemical exposure, this is one of the most common causes of peeling nails yes, overexposure to water does affect your nails! When nails are immersed in or exposed to water and detergent for a very long time on a regular basis, it may result in swelling up of your nail bed. This condition results in drying out of nails in the form of flakes or peels.
Prevention & Remedy: If you live on a coast, if you're a regular swimmer, or if you're in a job in which your hands get exposed to water excessively, your nails have the potential threat of peeling off. But don't worry, prevent your nails from peeling off by making use of rubber gloves while in contact with water. Vitamin E supplements, jojoba oil and moisturizers are the add-ons for your nail care and will also act as a remedy for your peeling nails.

Improper Diet: A well-balanced diet is the key to a healthy life. Vitamin deficiencies and a low-calcium diet causes nails to become brittle and unhealthy. To be specific, deficiencies of biotin, B-group vitamins, vitamin E and sulfur may be some of the major causes of peeling nails.
Prevention & Remedy: If your diet is to be blamed for those peeling nails, I would suggest you to take vitamin supplements and maintain a balanced diet with low-carbs, high-calcium and high-protein content. Read more on vitamins for healthy nails.

Environmental Factors: Weather fluctuations and climatic changes are always responsible for health disorders in your body and nails are no exceptions! Dry weather conditions will directly affect the natural oil of your nail bed and will cause dryness on the nail. In winters, humidity is quite low. This condition dehydrates your nail bed, which will result in drying out of the nail, causing peeling of nails.
Prevention & Remedy: To prevent peeling nails in extreme weather conditions, you should always keep your nails moisturized and apply jojoba oil on your nail bed at least twice a week . If you are facing the problem of peeling nails, the remedy lies in vitamin E! Split open a Vitamin E tablet into jojoba oil and apply the mixture on your nail and nail bed, thrice a day, till the problem persists. This oils will re-hydrate the area and restore the natural oil.

Medication Allergies: If you're on some kind of medication, you should always note which drugs you are allergic to. Some medicines have a direct effect on our skin and skin melanin. they lead to a dry skin, causing nail damage.
Prevention & Remedy: Consult your doctor/physician about the side effects of your medicines before consuming them. This would be the best preventive measure. Didn't take that preventive measure and now having peeling nails? Here's the remedy. Take B-complex tablets along with other medicines that your physician/doctor prescribed. B-complex vitamin tablets are beneficial for maintaining biotin, and group-B vitamins in your body. It also keeps your skin youthful and bright. Besides, you should always keep your nails moisturized and away from chemicals.

If you're still searching for your cause of peelings nails, and more remedies, you may like to read about peeling fingernails causes.

Besides these simple remedies, you can also try different nail products for nail care, that are easily available in the market. Sally Hansen, a very famous international nail-care brand, offers a wide range of nail care products for different types of nails. You should keep your nails clean and should go for manicure at least once a month. Fish-oil capsules are also one of the simplest, yet most effective remedies for peeling nails. If the problem still persists, you should consult a dermatologist or a physician without wasting time.

Interesting Myth about Peeling Nails: Psoriasis and its Treatment

Often, people associate peeling nails with Psoriasis which is a myth! Psoriasis is a skin disease, which is caused due to fungal infection and it causes peeling nails. In simpler language, you could say that peeling nails is one of the symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriasis, in some cases causes peeling nails due to the fungal infection. But that does not mean that every case of peeling nails has to be associated with psoriasis. In fact, most cases of peeling nails are found in women with long and brittle nails and it is considered to be a very common problem. Recent studies have also ruled out the possibility of a fungal infection in case of peeling nails.

With that, I guess I've made maximum coverage of the problem of peeling nails. Just follow the necessary preventive measures, pamper your nails and they will thank you by looking beautiful on your fingertips! For all those who are dealing with peeling nails, note down the remedies and start fighting back!