"What Causes My Nail Beds to Peel and Flake?"
Nail Care: Understanding Causes of Nail Peeling and Prevention Methods
Hands are often considered women's second face, and many women invest significant effort into nail care. Regular manicures and switching to different nail polish colors are common practices for beauty, but these can harm nails over time. Many individuals experience nail peeling, which can be caused by various factors such as nutritional deficiencies, prolonged nail soaking, or dry weather. Therefore, hydration and dietary adjustments are crucial, especially during spring and autumn. Let's explore the reasons behind nail peeling and how to address them.
Reasons for Nail Peeling and Flaking
1. Calcium Deficiency
Calcium is essential for healthy nail growth. Clinically, most cases of nail peeling are attributed to calcium deficiency, often resulting from unbalanced diets, pregnancy, childhood, or old age. It is recommended to take calcium supplements under medical guidance and consume calcium-rich foods like milk, cheese, eggs, soy products, seaweed, shrimp skins, sesame seeds, mustard greens, seafish, and vegetables.
2. Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency can cause skin peeling, including on nails. Symptoms may include body and nail peeling. A microelement test can diagnose this, and vitamin A supplements may be prescribed. Rich sources of vitamin A include carrots, yellow-green vegetables, eggs, yellow fruits, spinach, pea sprouts, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, cod liver oil, animal livers, milk, dairy products, and cream.
3. Dry Weather
Some individuals are sensitive to weather changes, and dry, cold weather can cause nail peeling, especially in northern regions. Wearing gloves and applying hand cream 5-6 times daily, preferably with glycerin, shea butter, or essential oils, is advised.
4. Onychomycosis (灰指甲)
Also known as tinea unguium, this is caused by fungal infection of the nail plate or nail bed. Infected nails may crack, become brittle, peel, or thicken, appearing brown or black. Treatment includes oral or topical medications or surgical removal. Note that fingernails and toenails grow at different rates; a full replacement takes 100 days for fingernails and 300 days for toenails, requiring patience during treatment.
5. Prolonged Nail Soaking
People with occupations involving long-term water exposure, like dishwashers, laundry workers, foot bath attendants, or housewives, may experience softened, layered, or peeling nails. Avoid prolonged soaking, use vinegar after washing, and apply hand cream to nourish and protect nails. Changing to a less water-intensive job is also advisable.
Nail Care Tips
- For dull nails, mix a teaspoon of honey with a little sugar, apply to nails with a brush, rub gently, rinse, and massage with olive oil.
- Fresh lemon juice can remove pigmentation. Squeeze a lemon into warm water, soak hands for five minutes, dry, and apply moisturizer.
- Use hydrating lotion and nail polish daily. Before bed, mix olive oil with a treatment serum, apply to skin, and wear breathable gloves.
- The cuticle (nail hyponychium) is often overlooked. Soften it with tea tree oil in warm water, clean thoroughly, and for dry skin, massage with a mixture of pineapple juice and egg white.
- Thin, brittle nails indicate mineral deficiency. Eat protein-rich foods like eggs, fish, nuts, bean sprouts, wholemeal bread, and avocados for zinc, iron, biotin, and B vitamins.
- Apply nail polish only on clean nails to ensure even adhesion. Start from the base of the nail bed to the tip, then fill in the sides.
Six Harmful Nail Habits to Avoid
- Avoid nail products containing toluene or formaldehyde.
- Don't soak nails in water, especially soapy or detergent water, for too long.
- Don't use nails to tap keyboards or other hard surfaces.
- Trim hangnails with nail clippers, not by tearing.
- Ensure nail technicians use sanitized tools to prevent
