10 Home Remedies for Peeling Nails
- July 28, 2021
- Nail Care
We all love the look of beautiful, neat, natural nails because beautiful hands are characterized by beautiful, healthy nails. However, those dry, brittle, cracked nails really get on everyone’s nerves. I have had quite some tough times with peeling nails myself. But did you know that peeling nails is actually a medical condition known as Onychoschizia? Well, now you know.
But what really causes them? Let’s start by looking at the causes of peeling nails.
Some of the common causes include;
- peeling of nail polish
- too much exposure to water
- filing the nail too much
- trauma
- exposing nails to certain chemicals
- frequent wearing of false nails such as acrylics and gel polish
- spending so much time in hot areas
- using nails as tools
Some other serious medical conditions cause peeling nails, such as anemia, tuberculosis, and lung and kidney disease. Therefore, make sure to see a doctor if this problem persists.
So now that we have seen the causes of peeling nails, what do we do about it? I have listed below a few remedies to help you treat or take care of your peeling nails at home.
1. Moisturize your hands and nails
Make it a habit of always keeping your hands and nails (both finger and toenails) hydrated after getting into contact with water. This will help prevent your nails from drying out since dry nails result in peeling. Do this by using a hand lotion cuticle oil or a nail-specific moisturizer. You can also use natural oils you have at home, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or argan oil.
2. Use multivitamin
One cause of peeling nails is vitamin deficiency. Vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E, and B like B6 are perfect for nails. In addition, supplements such as Keratin help strengthen your nails, and others such as fish oils help your nails appear shiny and act as an anti-aging supplement. However, remember to consult a doctor before taking any pills.
3. Keep away from water
Try as much as you can to stay away from water and water-based activities, including frequent washing of hands and soaking of nails while doing house chores. Also, regular use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers could really dry out your nails. Therefore, make sure you wear gloves when necessary to help keep your hands dry.
4. Maintain short nails
Keeping short nails is one of the best solutions to peeling nails. So to heal your nails, keep your nails short for a while. This is because short nails are less prone to trauma, leading to peeling or cracking of nails. Do this preferably once or twice a week after showering until your nails heal.
5. Buff your nails
Buffing or filing the rough ends of your nails frequently helps get rid of splitting ends which cause peeling nails. Therefore, often file your nails into a rounded shape rather than a square shape to help prevent snagging or breaking. It is also advisable to file your nails in one direction because filing back and forth can weaken your nails.
6. Have a healthy diet
Sometimes unhealthy nails are caused by an unhealthy diet. That’s why it is advisable to eat food rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals to help keep healthy nails. Also, take foods high in iron and biotin, such as; spinach, lentils, avocado, white beans, and lean meats. Plus, you’ll get more benefits than just healthy nails since your body also needs a healthy diet.
7. Avoid frequent use of nail polish removers
Most nail polish removers contain acetone, which really dries out your nails and strips your nails of their natural moisture, making them prone to chipping or peeling. Therefore try using nail removers at least once or twice a month or try using acetone-free nail polish removers.
8. Take a break from acrylics or gel manicures
Fake nails such as acrylics destroy weak, thin nails. This is because fake nails are glued down, and the glue creates a barrier that gives space for a build-up of bacteria and fungi that are harmful to nails. Therefore, you need to take a break for your nails to heal, which will slow down the whole process. Instead, use nail hardeners that will protect your nails from peeling and strengthen and moisturize them.
9. Soak nails in oil
Essential oils, such as coconut and olive oil, help lock moisture in your nails, keeping them from drying out. Coconut oil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, while olive oil has antioxidants that protect the nail. For a good soak, pour a few tablespoons of your preferred oils into a bowl, wet your hands a bit, and soak them in the bowl for about 20-30 minutes.
10. See a doctor
If this condition persists despite your efforts to treat and prevent it, or if your peeling nails are accompanied by pain and difficulty breathing, then it is time to seek medical help. This is because sometimes peeling nails can come from certain medical conditions, as stated above.
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