Split fingernails

One of the main signs that shows that a woman really takes care of herself and is not some kind of “little girl with painted lips” is her nails. Beautiful, healthy, strong and well-groomed. Quite often it turns out that there is a desire and effort to take care of it, but there is a problem with the nails - they begin to break, peel, and every now and then you have to cut them at the root, which in the end kills any desire to do them at all.

You don't have to give up right away. Show a little persistence and you will succeed. First you need to understand the reason, and then solve the problem.

Reasons why fingernails peel

Nails are a kind of indicator of health, and if any changes occur in the body, the condition of your hands will immediately tell about it.

Here are some reasons why nails may peel:

• Lack of vitamins and microelements in the body. We are talking about such important vitamins as A, E, C, and also a deficiency of zinc, iodine, sulfur, silicon, iron and calcium leads to nail separation. You should take vitamins for four weeks. And add cabbage, herbs, nuts, cheese and fish to your diet.
• Metabolic disorders, stress, poor blood circulation, overwork, weakened immunity. Again, you should take vitamins and microelements.
• Detergent for home care. Therefore, make it a habit to work with gloves. After all, any product that fights grease and rust is harmful to your hands and nails.
• Constant exposure of hands to a damp environment. Protect your hands with a special cream that forms a kind of protective film.
• Improper nail care. Using metal files for manicure. Filing wet and damp nails. For manicure, it is better to use glass files, and when polishing the nail, point the file only forward and only back.
• Constant contact with water, soil, chalk and chemicals. More careful nail care is needed.
• Bad daily habits. Damage to the nail plate when used as a screwdriver, brush, or biter.
• Mechanical damage to the nail plate (nailed, pressed down).
• Nail extension. This procedure is harmful to the plate.
• Computer work. To work, choose a keyboard with low buttons and a soft touch.

Treatment for peeling nails

Peeling nails can and should be treated

• Using sea salt baths to strengthen nails. A spoonful of salt per 500 ml of warm water. Carry out the procedure for no more than two weeks.
• Rub olive oil and lemon juice into the nail plate. Apply 2 times a week.
• Painting the nail plate with a thin layer of iodine.
• Nail plate massage. Rub nourishing oils into the skin of your hands and nails using massaging, circular movements.
• Hand baths in the water in which the potatoes were boiled for no more than 5 minutes. After the procedure, lubricate your hands and nails with oil.
• If your nails are peeling, avoid painting your nail plate with colored polish for a while. It is better to use a clear medicated varnish, and you should also use a moisturizer labeled “hand and nail cream.”

A beautiful manicure is impossible without well-groomed nails. The most common problem for many women is cracking and peeling of the nail plate, which indicates errors in care or some health problems. Only by eliminating the cause is it possible to restore a healthy appearance to your nails. Simple and effective folk remedies will help with this in a short time.

Content:

Why do nails peel?

The nail plates are formed from many thin horny scales. Keratin is responsible for the density of nails, and layers of water give them elasticity and a healthy shine. Under the influence of negative factors, gaps appear between the dense layers of scales, which develop into cracks and delaminate the nail. It becomes brittle, dull, dry, roughness appears, and plate growth slows down.

The reasons why nails peel can be divided into external and internal. External ones include:

1. Negative effects of household chemicals: dishwashing detergents, bleaches, powders.
2. The use of aggressive cosmetics for nails: applying formaldehyde-containing varnishes, using acetone-containing solvents.
3. Violation of nail extension technique, improper removal of artificial coverings.
4. Regular hypothermia and dry hands.
5. Insufficient care: irregular hygienic manicure, incorrect technique.
6. Frequent mechanical damage to nails associated with professional activities.

Experts include constant diets and unbalanced nutrition as internal causes of weakening of the nail plate: lack of calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, E, D, protein. Iron deficiency also adversely affects the condition of the nail plate. Some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and endocrine system lead to disruption of mineral metabolism.

Lichen, fungal infections and other skin diseases affect the health of nails. In addition, they can peel off due to hormonal imbalances: during pregnancy, during menopause.

Video: Why nails peel

Methods for strengthening nails

The problem of nail plate delamination can be solved with the help of traditional medicine. For treatment to be successful, it should be carried out according to a certain scheme:

1. Take care of your skin and nails: protect your hands in frosty weather, avoid contact with any chemicals, and do your homework with rubber gloves.
2. Eat right: include dairy products in your diet, especially cheeses and cottage cheese, eat more greens, fish, nuts, and you can take a course of vitamins.
3. Carry out a hygienic manicure according to all the rules: prepare a bath for your hands, carefully remove damaged areas of the nails, do not use metal tools, use high-quality varnishes, apply a medicinal coating.
4. Avoid nail extensions for a while.
5. Take a course of treatment using traditional medicine: make medicinal hand baths, use natural masks.

Video: How to care for your nails

Recipes for peeling nails

Homemade masks and baths will help restore the nail plate and prevent repeated delamination. If you carry out the procedures regularly, your nails and hands will soon return to a healthy and well-groomed appearance. The advantage of home procedures is their accessibility and effectiveness. In addition, you can always be sure of the naturalness of the components included in the prepared care product.

Nourishing mask with whitening effect

Action:
Helps saturate nails with useful elements, strengthens the nail plate, makes it dense and elastic, and whitens it.

Compound:
Lemon – 1 pc.
Olive oil – 1 tsp.
Sea salt – 1 tsp.

Application:
1. Squeeze the juice of one lemon.
2. Combine it with a small spoon of olive oil.
3. Add sea salt and mix all ingredients.
4. Rub the composition into the nails and the skin around them.
5. Keep the mask on for 10-12 minutes, then wash your hands with warm water.
6. It is recommended to make a mask against splitting nails every day for a week.

Purifying mask with vitamin A

Action:
Nourishes nails, saturates them with vitamins, cleanses and whitens, prevents peeling, and cares for the skin of the hands.

Compound:
Apple cider vinegar – ½ tsp.
Sunflower oil – 1 tbsp. l.
Salt – 1 tsp.
Vitamin A – 2 drops

Application:
1. Heat the oil: heat it as much as possible, but do not bring it to a boil.
2. Cool the oil and combine it with salt.
3. Add vinegar and vitamin A to the mixture that has cooled to a comfortable temperature.
4. Thoroughly rub the mask into your nails and leave on for up to 15 minutes.
5. The mask can be used several times and stored in the refrigerator.
6. The procedure can be performed every day, and after a week the nails will stop peeling.

Video: A simple mask against brittle nails

Strengthening bath for brittle and peeling nails

Action:
Cleanses nails from dirt, softens the skin, fights peeling, and is perfect for manicure procedures.

Compound:
Water – 1 glass
Soda – 1 tbsp. l.
Iodine – ½ tsp.

Application:
1. Heat the water to a temperature of 37-40 degrees. It shouldn't burn.
2. Dissolve a large spoonful of baking soda in a glass of warm water.
3. Add half a small spoon of iodine.
4. Place your hands in the bath and hold for 5-7 minutes.
5. This bath can be done up to 2 times a week.
6. Soda therapy is considered the best start for a manicure procedure. After it, it is easier to process nails and remove cuticles.

Oil bath for strengthening and growth of nails

Action:
Disinfects and treats infections, makes the nail plate thicker, accelerates growth, removes yellowness, and evens out the surface of the nail.

Compound:
Olive oil – ½ cup
Nettle – 1 tbsp. l.
Chamomile – 1 tbsp. l.
Linden – 1 tbsp. l.
Flax seeds – 1 tbsp. l.
Ylang-ylang oil – 1-2 drops
Tea tree oil – 1-2 drops
Sandalwood oil – 1-2 drops
Oatmeal – 1 tsp.
Sea salt – 1 tsp.
Vitamin E – 1 capsule

Application:
1. Place olive oil in a water bath and heat until steam appears.
2. Add chamomile, nettle, linden and flax seeds to it. Cook the mixture for 15 minutes.
3. Then the oil needs to be cooled and strained.
4. Grind the oatmeal and salt in a coffee grinder and combine with herbal oil.
5. Before use, add essential oils and vitamin E.
6. Dip your fingertips into the bath and hold for 15-20 minutes.
7. You can do a short massage of your nails and hands.
8. The finished product can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week and used daily.

Every third woman is dissatisfied with the condition of her nail plates. Sometimes they become brittle, peel and crumble. Let's look at why fingernails peel, what are the reasons and how to cure it at home.

External factors

The main reason for fragility is exposure to harmful substances. If you constantly neglect to wear gloves while cleaning and washing dishes, you may notice a deterioration in the condition of your fingernails.

Working at a computer and with papers, using nails as a screwdriver lead to injuries to the nail plates, drying out and brittleness.

Improper filing or extension, mechanical damage - all this has a bad effect on the strength of the nails. It will take a long time to treat and restore them.

Internal factors

An unbalanced diet, vitamin deficiency, and some chronic diseases also cause flaking. Fingernails peel and break due to a lack of vitamins A, E, C, calcium and iron deficiency.

Causes of delamination:

• diabetes;
• initial stage of fungal diseases;
• sudden change in climatic conditions;
• problems with hormonal levels, endocrine diseases;
• constant stress and overwork, bad habits.

It is possible to find out exactly what is missing in the body only after a complete medical examination. This will help not only restore the beauty of your hands, but also cure serious diseases in time.

Basic rules of care

What to do if increased fragility appears? It is necessary to reduce the destructive impact of external factors. Do all housework only with gloves, especially if you have to come into contact with strong chemicals and metal sponges.

If you constantly do your manicure incorrectly, your nails become brittle. The cause of destruction can be metal files; it is better to replace them with glass ones. Sawing when your hands are wet or damp is strictly prohibited.

If your fingernails are very peeling, then acetone-based nail polish remover is absolutely not suitable. Weakened nails should not be given a square shape - it is better to file them in the form of an oval.

Acrylic extensions and shellac coating have a negative effect. When fragility or crumbling appears, such procedures are strictly contraindicated.

Why do children's nails peel?

The cause of peeling nails in children can be hormonal changes, bad habits, and poor diet.

Children often bite their nails due to anxiety or stress, which leads to a worsening of their condition. The mother’s task is to identify and eliminate the cause of the child’s poor psycho-emotional state.

A baby’s nail plates may peel off after mechanical trauma or damage to the finger. The problem will disappear as the new plate grows.

Vitamin deficiency is the main cause of peeling of the nail plates on the hands from the cuticle itself; it often occurs during the period of active growth. Your child’s diet should include more foods containing calcium, iron, and ascorbic acid.

If the nail not only peels off, but also changes color and shape, this indicates a fungal infection. It is impossible to get rid of the fungus on your own; you need to see a doctor; long-term treatment will be required.

If a child develops lamination for a long time and constantly, and the problem cannot be eliminated, it is better to undergo a medical examination. Fragility may indicate anemia, problems with the adrenal glands, or metabolic disorders.

Proper nutrition

You need to treat layered nails from the inside first. The diet should be reconsidered. To accurately determine the cause, you need to get tested. But there are some general recommendations that will help get rid of increased fragility.

Home Recipes

To treat increased fragility and eliminate the underlying causes of the disease, it is necessary to perform strengthening cosmetic procedures.

Green tea bath

Mix 50 ml of vegetable oil and 200 ml of green tea. Do a hand bath before bed for 7 minutes. After this, thoroughly rub the moisturizer into each nail.

You can store the prepared liquid in the refrigerator for three days.

Oil wrap

Mix 20 ml of olive oil with an ampoule of liquid vitamin A, add a few drops of lemon juice. Rub the mixture into the nail plates with massage movements, starting with the thumb. After this, wrap your hands with polyethylene film and put on gloves. Keep the mask on for at least two hours. The procedure must be repeated every 5 days.

Sea salt

One of the most effective means for treating peeling plates. It is necessary to dissolve 15 g of natural sea salt without dyes in 350 ml of warm water. Immerse your hands in the bath for 20 minutes, then wash your hands with warm water and apply moisturizer to each nail. The procedure must be done daily for 14 days. You should not get carried away with water procedures, since excessive humidity is a common cause of increased fragility.

During treatment, we must not forget about the cuticle - each nail should be lubricated daily with liquid vitamins A, E.

It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of why fingernails peel and break. To completely eliminate the problem, you need to undergo a medical examination, review your diet, and get rid of bad habits. Often the reason lies in improper care, the use of low-quality varnish and metal files.

The condition of your toenails is a sign of good health throughout the body. That is why it will be a rather unpleasant discovery if the toenails begin to peel and crumble, even with good care for them. Why is this happening? How to prevent and warn? This is exactly what we will talk about right now.

Causes of peeling and crumbling toenails

The nail plate consists of a hard horny coating, which itself consists of many layers of carotene. Under the influence of mechanical and chemical factors, even between such dense layers a gap may appear, which gradually becomes larger. As a result, the nail plate may crack over time. The crack path is unpredictable and can appear both along and across the plate.

The main reasons that cause cracks and gaps on the nails:

Nail fungus disease.
Weak immune system, lack of vitamins, and long-term illnesses. These factors always negatively affect the condition of the nails. They become more brittle.
Frequent use of low quality varnish.
Private wearing of tight shoes.
Improper nail extension, as a result of which the nail plate was subjected to strong mechanical and chemical stress. Usually such mistakes are made by low-level masters.
Also, we should not forget about heredity.

Fungal nail infection

The most common cause of crumbling nails is fungus. It's easy to define. This is a rather unpleasant sight. At the first stage, the skin between the toes begins to peel off; it is worth noting that itching and burning are also felt. Then bubbles form, which subsequently burst and form ulcers and cracks.
If you notice this, then you should not waste time, but contact a qualified specialist as soon as possible. It should be noted that treating fungus is a long process. If not treated correctly, the fungal infection can spread to healthy nail beds. The fungus leaves yellow spots on the nail and thins the nail plate. It is worth noting that if the nail is treated incorrectly, it can begin not only to crumble, but also to fester.

How to treat a fungal infection on the feet?

It is worth noting right away that it is very difficult to cure the fungus on your own. To start treatment you need to:
Get examined by a qualified specialist.
Eliminate the cause of fungus formation.
Use anti-inflammatory drugs.
Strictly follow the specialist’s recommendations, systematically apply antifungal agents: varnishes, ointments, gels, etc.

The entire treatment process, as noted earlier, is quite lengthy and can last from 14 days to several months. It is important to note that modern antifungal agents not only help get rid of the disease, but also improve the general condition of the nail plate.

Prevention

Of course, if you do not want to allow a fungal infection to occur, you must not forget about prevention. In fact, it is quite simple; you need to follow a few rules:

You should not wear someone else's shoes.
You need to fight sweaty feet.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Don't forget about daily foot hygiene.
Visit only proven and qualified manicurists and pedicurists.
Eat food that contains a large amount of vitamins that help improve the condition of the nail plate, that is, vitamins A, E, C and others.

And much more. As a result, you know what preventive measures to take to prevent fungus from occurring.

In conclusion, we note that now you know why nail plates crumble, why a fungal infection appears, how to deal with it and how to prevent its formation. I hope our tips will help you!

Nutritionist trainer, sports nutritionist, honored author of Evehealth

15-03-2016

17 518

Verified information

This article is based on scientific evidence, written and reviewed by experts. Our team of licensed nutritionists and estheticians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and present both sides of the argument.

Nature created us beautiful and ideal, but many life factors influence our appearance. The same applies to the structure of the nail plate. Have your nails started to peel and have lost their attractive appearance? What to do, how to get rid of this violation?

The main reasons why nails peel

When our body lacks beneficial vitamins and minerals, our hair and nails begin to feel it. It turns out that nail platinum can tell us a lot, “tell” us about the ongoing changes in the internal organs.

If the nails begin to peel, then you need to pay attention to the condition of the liver, kidneys, gastric tract, pancreas, and reproductive organs. This includes environmental pollution, changes in hormonal levels, hormonal imbalance, and poor nutrition.

If there are depressions and dents on the nail, then we can assume the presence of psoriasis, which has not yet manifested itself externally. Urgent diagnostics will be required to determine it.

A bluish tint to the nail plate may indicate impaired blood circulation, and other systems of the human body may also suffer from such a disorder.

It should also be noted that hands are often exposed to a damp environment and are constantly exposed to detergents and other household chemicals. Therefore, you need to carry out household chores in special gloves that will help protect the nail plate.

Other causes of brittle nails

Frequent application of varnish can change the structure of the nail, causing it to become brittle and split. The same applies to the use of low-quality cosmetics for nail care. You should avoid nail polish remover that contains acetone, toluene, and their derivatives.

Mechanical damage can cause brittle nails, for example, if you constantly knock on a hard surface, as a result, cracks will appear on the nail plate, and then brittleness and delamination.

Experts note that this problem can occur in those who often bite their nails, break them, or incorrectly adjust their length, and therefore it is better not to cut the nail, but to file off its top, giving it the desired shape.

The relationship between nails and vitamins

We often hear the phrase: “Nails break, which means there is not enough calcium in the body!” In fact, the role of calcium in strengthening the nail plate is too exaggerated; foods rich in sulfur, silicon, selenium, and zinc will be much healthier for nails.

• Sulfur provides disulfide bonds in protein molecules, which makes nails stronger and more durable. It is part of biotin, the beauty vitamin.
• Selenium has a close effect on the metabolic processes between Vitamins A, C, E; with its deficiency, skin diseases and dystrophy of the nail plate begin.
• Silicon plays a role in collagen synthesis, ensures strength and elasticity of joints; its deficiency leads to fragility and brittleness of nails.

Nail separation may be associated with serious internal causes; in this case, it is important to undergo a full diagnostic examination and begin qualified treatment.

To normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland, the patient may be recommended the herbal medicine “Alba”, which is based on the extract of white cinquefoil root. This plant has been used for a long time to improve the functional state of the thyroid gland, as well as to restore the hardness of the nail plate.

What to do when your nails are very flaky?

To solve this problem once and for all, you need to completely change your diet and lifestyle: create the right menu, sleep at least 8 hours a day, get proper rest, eliminate bad habits, get rid of negative influences from outside, avoid stress, do not expose your nails to chemicals influence and properly care for them.

Menu correction

To strengthen the nail plate from the inside, you need to reconsider your diet, add more foods that contain calcium, phosphorus, selenium, silicon, magnesium, and sulfur.

Such ingredients include milk, meat, dried fruits, cottage cheese, eggs, nuts, prunes, hard cheese, fish, beans, gooseberries, broccoli, poppy seeds, celery, almonds, red meat, shrimp, tomatoes, ginger.

If your body lacks chromium, you can add hazelnuts or Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, dates, cherries, and plums to your diet. Eat less empty carbohydrates and unhealthy foods, more fiber and vegetable fats.

External nail treatment

When nails are very peeling, you can treat at home, using various masks and baths to strengthen the nail plate. For this purpose, you can use natural ingredients, essential oils and food.

This is an excellent nail care product. You need to mix the oil with lemon juice and regularly rub the mixture into the nail plate. For a teaspoon of oil - a third of a spoon of lemon juice. The course of treatment is every evening for a week, then take a break and, if necessary, continue your recovery.

What else can you do when your nails peel? You can soak your nails with lemon juice, which softens and whitens the nail plates. The main thing is to maintain the norm so as not to dry out your nails.

Sea salt and iodine

This bath will help strengthen your nails and make them healthy. To make a bath, you need to take a glass of warm water, a teaspoon of sea salt and 3 drops of iodine. Dissolve the components in water and soak your hands in the liquid for 15 minutes.

It is best to do this bath 2 times a week, and you can also apply a generous layer of iodine once a month to strengthen and prevent brittle nails. The yellow tint can be easily removed with a cotton swab soaked in lemon juice.

Strengthening nails with zest

Lemon zest contains a huge amount of useful substances and has a positive effect on nails. To perform the procedure, you need to take a piece of lemon zest and rub the plate with gentle movements.

Once completed, apply a generous amount of moisturizer to the skin around the nails, and massage your fingertips to improve blood circulation. “Once a week will be enough.

Combined bath

When your nails are very flaky, you can try the following option for healing your nails: you need to combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a small spoon of iodine, 10 g of sea salt, and 2 cups of boiled water in one cup.

After that, mix thoroughly and place your fingers in the prepared container for 15 minutes, and then wipe dry with a napkin and apply nourishing cream to your hands, lightly massaging the limbs.

To strengthen and nourish the nail plate, you should regularly rub vitamins A and E, alternating every other day. After a week you need to take a break, and then continue as necessary.

You can also carry out procedures with glycerin, shea butter, and almond oil. Such components help to restore nail strength and a decent attractive appearance in a short time.

Red pepper

Perfectly improves nail structure, improves growth and strengthens nails. This product will make a good and effective mask. To prepare it you need to take 0.5 teaspoon of red pepper, 2 tablespoons of nourishing cream.

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and heat in a water bath, then apply to nails for 15 minutes, rinse with warm water, massage hands with a warm towel. It is advisable not to go outside for 2 hours after the procedure.

Natural nutritional supplements to strengthen nails

In order for nails to start growing faster, you need to add gelatin and calcium to your food; you can make various desserts from the first ingredient; the daily intake of gelatin is about 5 g.
As for the second element, chicken egg shells are suitable for this purpose. It needs to be dried and ground into powder, then added to food for 2 weeks, one teaspoon at a time.

When your nails become very flaky, Ekaterina, a mother of three children, knows for sure that evening treatments based on olive oil and lemon juice are the most effective. For better results, it is important to review your diet and add more sources of natural vitamins and microelements.

Ekaterina advises carrying out all household chores with gloves and if a nail is broken, do not cut it off with scissors, but carefully file it down to a certain length. Such measures will help prevent delamination of the nail plate.

Olga, at 22 years old, already knows what it is - problems with nails, because before adolescence she bit her nails all the time, which damaged their integrity. Now every evening the girl massages the nail plate with lemon zest and once a month applies iodine to her nails, and then paints the top with varnish.

Now her nails are beautiful and well-groomed; just a few months of struggle to keep them looking beautiful have done their job. The main thing in this matter, Olga says, is to believe in the result obtained, try and not skip procedures. Yes, beauty requires attention, perseverance, patience and hard work!

To get your nails in order and be proud of your strong and strong nail plates, you need to follow the advice of experts:

• timely and correctly diagnose the whole body and find the cause of nail separation;
• fill all gaps in nutrition, make the diet balanced and healthy, saturate the body with vitamins and microelements;
• use natural oils to regularly rub into the cuticles, which will allow the nail to renew itself at the cellular level;
• before going to bed, take baths with sea salt;
• properly treat the nail plate, use only high-quality and cleaned manicure accessories;
• remove varnish with acetone-free liquid;
• externally protect the nail from the effects of negative environmental factors;
• do not injure the nail on purpose by tapping it on a hard surface;
• take natural nutritional supplements to strengthen the nail plate.

Now you know everything you need to do to improve the appearance of your nails. Take care of your health and enjoy life to the fullest!

Video about what to do if your fingernails peel

Video about strengthening nails