Peeling Fingernails Causes: Why do Fingernails Peel

Fingernails are no doubt one of the most useful components of human body. These natural prolongations of our skin, which protect our fingertips, are made up of a fibrous scleroprotein, known as keratin. Our fingernails are exposed to various chemicals and weather conditions daily. As a result of this exposure, they get infected by fungus or bacteria, and become vulnerable to various fingernail health problems. One common problem when it comes to fingernail health is splitting or peeling of fingernails.

Why do Fingernails Peel?

Fingernail peeling is the process wherein layers of fingernails start splitting, and peel off. Peeling fingernail causes are 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.

Medical Causes of Peeling Fingernails
One of the most common causes of peeling fingernails is fungal infection. Though fungal infection is most often seen in toe nails, as they are frequently exposed to wet conditions, such infection in other fingernails is not at all rare. 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 psoriasis should consult a dermatologist at the earliest to avoid further complications associated with this condition.

Non-medical Causes of Peeling Fingernails
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. Our nails lose these constituents due to frequent exposure to water and chemicals. As a result, the fingernails become dry and start peeling. Fingernails 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, in turn, causes the fingernails to become dry, and makes them 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 fingernails 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 this problem. One method to do this, is to apply vitamin E or jojoba oil to the nails. Similarly, avoiding harsh chemicals and minimizing exposure to water can also help you counter this problem. In case of fungal infection and psoriasis, you should consult a doctor and take prescribed medication 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, but are equally important in certain body mechanisms.