Peeling Fingernails Causes: Why do Fingernails Peel

Fingernails are one of the most useful components of human body, which help in protection of our finger tips. These natural prolongations of the human skin are composed of a fibrous scleroprotein, known as keratin. Our fingernails are exposed to various chemicals and weather conditions daily, as a result of which they may get infected by fungus or bacteria and weaken. One common problem in fingernail health is splitting or peeling of fingernails.

Why do Fingernails Peel
Fingernail peeling is the process wherein layers of fingernails are split and peeled off. Peeling fingernail causes can be broadly categorized into medical and non-medical causes. Medical causes include fungal or bacterial infection and ailments like psoriasis, whereas non-medical causes include exposure to harsh chemicals and aging.

One of the most common cause for peeling fingernails is fungal infection. Though fungal infection is most often seen in toe nails, owing to the exposure of toe nails to wet conditions, such infection in fingernails is also quite common. In fungal infection, keratin, which makes up the nail, is eroded away by the fungus, thus causing splitting of the nail, which may eventually result in complete separation of the nail from the nail bed. Another medical condition which can result in fingernail peeling is psoriasis. It is a chronic skin disease, in which dry red patches covered with scales occur on scalps, ears, genitalia and skin. This disease can also affect the fingernails causing it to peel off, if not provided with prompt medical attention. A person suffering from this ailment should consult a dermatologist as early as possible.

In most of the cases, peeling fingernails are caused due to over-exposure to water or frequent exposure to harsh chemicals. Natural oils and moisture are vital constituents of human skin. If the skin is deprived of these constituents, it can prove to be harmful for the skin. The nails lose these constituents due to frequent exposure to water and chemicals. As a result, the fingernails become dry and start to peel off. Fingernail peeling in winter can be attributed to the same factor, wherein low humidity causes the nails to become dry and eventually split and peel. Natural aging is another important cause for peeling fingernails. As aging occurs, the moisture content in the body is depleted which makes the fingernails dry and more vulnerable to peeling. In women, menopause is believed to be an important reason for this disorder. Nutritional deficiencies, which particularly occur in old age, can also lead to fingernail peeling.

As peeling fingernails is caused due to depletion of natural oils and moisture content, replenishing them with necessary oil and moisture can help in treating fingernails peeling. One method to do this is to apply vitamin E or jojoba oil to the nails. One should also avoid harsh chemicals and minimize exposure to water. In case of fungal infection and psoriasis, you should consult a doctor and take the necessary medications to avoid further complications. Nail care is an important aspect of human health as fingernails don't just add to the beauty of the hands, they are equally important in certain body mechanisms.