How to Prevent Nails From Peeling

There are many things you can do to prevent peeling nails.

Nutrition and environmental factors, including the type of nail polish you use and cleaning chemicals your hands are exposed to, can affect the strength of your nails. Weak nails may be soft or brittle and peel easily. You don't have to suffer forever from peeling, unattractive nails. There are many things you can do, that won't cost much money, to strengthen your nails and keep them from peeling.

Things You'll Need

• Multivitamin with iron
• Rubber or vinyl gloves
• Moisturizer or nail oil

Instructions

1. Start taking a multivitamin (make sure it contains iron) every day. Ask your physician what he or she recommends, however, if you have any pre-existing illnesses or are on any medications. Deficiencies in iron are one cause of peeling nails, according to drdonnica.com. Nailaidcares.com suggests that deficiencies in B vitamins and protein can also effect the nails, causing peeling. Introduce more protein into your diet. After a few weeks of making this dietary change and taking a multivitamin, you should see some improvement.

2. Avoid nail polishes containing formaldehyde, which may dry out the nails too much. Overly dry nails is one cause of peeling. Even some nail varnish that is meant to be for nail strengthening may contain formaldehyde that will dry out your nails, according to nailaidcares.com. You can use a nail strengthener, but make sure it is formaldehyde-free.

3. Wear protective gloves when washing dishes or cleaning around your house. Cleaning products and frequent exposure to water are also causes of peeling nails.

4. Moisturize your nails in the cold, dry winter months. You can do this by simply spreading your hand moisturizer over your fingernails whenever you moisturize your hands. Alternatively, you can use a nail and cuticle oil containing jojoba and Vitamin E, as suggested by hooked-on-nails.com.

Tips & Warnings

• According to nailaidcares.com some conditions, such as psoriasis, can cause nail peeling--use the same prescription cream for your skin on your nails. In addition, fungal nail infections might be the cause. If a change in diet and taking extra care to keep nails from over-drying does not work, visit your doctor to make sure you do not have a fungal nail infection.

References

• Dr. Donnica: Soft, Peeling Nails
• Nail Aid Cares: Peeling Nails
• Hooked on Nails: Nail Disorders

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish