Healthy nails are strong and smooth, so when your nails become brittle and peeling, it's a sign that something's wrong. The hard layers of keratin that compose your fingernails are designed to be strong so that they can protect your sensitive fingertips. If your nails suddenly begin to peel with no reason, you might want to see a doctor to rule out a serious health problem. In most cases, though, peeling nails are a result of injury or dehydration and can be effectively treated at home.
Moisturize
Peeling nails are most frequently caused by dehydration, so slathering on intensive moisturizer twice a day can help heal the problem. Rub a moisture-rich oil, such as cuticle oil or olive oil, into your nails every morning and night, massaging the oil into your cuticles and fingernails. If you rub in the oil while your nails are still damp from a bath or shower, the oil will seal in the moisture from your bath as well as hydrating your nails for double the moisturizing effect. Follow up with a hand cream. Good Housekeeping magazine recommends looking for a hand cream that contains alpha hydroxy acids, which can help repair your cell's protective barriers so that your nails remain hydrated.
Groom
Because they're prone to catch on clothes and other objects, peeling nails are more likely to break than healthy nails. You can minimize the risk of breakage by gently filing your peeling nails against the grain, lightly rubbing from base to tip at a slight angle, until the peeling layer is smooth. Keep your nails trimmed short until the nail is completely healed. According to Nails magazine, peeling nails may lead to peeling nail polish, but applying a thin, careful layer of polish can give your nails a protective barrier that seals in moisture.
Protect
Peeling nails need special care. Consider wearing gloves when you're washing dishes, cleaning house or doing any other activities that might put your nails into contact with harsh chemicals. If you use nail polish remover, make sure to choose a brand that doesn't contain acetone. Using your nails to pry up stickers, open packages or perform other tasks may exacerbate the peeling problem, so grab a tool instead of trying to use your nails as tools. When you have peeling nails, it's a good idea to be extra protective when it comes to shielding them from potential injury or trauma.
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