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Peeling nails: learn how to identify signs of disease

Noticing that your nails are peeling, weak and brittle is usually a concern not only for aesthetic reasons, but, above all, because nails give important clues about health. In many cases, nail flaking comes from everyday habits, such as using nail polishes without breaks, but it can also be a symptom of some diseases, such as hypothyroidism or anemia.

But it’s no use looking at your nails and despairing! The recommendation is to look for a dermatologist, who will be able to diagnose whether or not there is any important change in health. Find out below the probable causes of the nails that are peeling and clarify your doubts on the subject.

Main causes of peeling nails

Peeling nails can be signs of a simple condition (allergy, for example) or more important diseases. Check out the possible causes below:

lack of vitamins

Sara Bragança (CRM: 52.64654-7), a postgraduate doctor in Dermatology, member of the Brazilian Society of Aesthetic Medicine, comments that the lack of vitamins from an inadequate diet (or even prolonged restrictive diets) is the main cause of peeling nails.

What happens is that vitamins D, B and/or A are lacking. As a result, the body is lacking in substances for the production of keratin, which is the main component of the nail, explains the dermatologist.

In these cases, the treatment generally provides for the consumption of foods that contain these substances and it may be necessary to supplement them, but this should always be done with the guidance of the doctor in charge.

Anemia

In anemia, the body lacks red blood cells, which leads to reduced flow of oxygen to the organs. Among other symptoms, anemia causes changes in the nails, which can become flaky, dry and brittle.

hypothyroidism

In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, causing a decrease in metabolism and making it difficult to transport nutrients to the nails. As a result, they tend to be flaky, weak and brittle.

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habits and care

Spending a lot of time with your hands in water (when washing a lot of dishes, for example), constantly messing with strong cleaning products without wearing gloves, some kind of trauma to the nails are also possible causes for peeling, as well as contact allergies.

In some cases, the problem may be right at the moment of “taking care of the nails”. Using acetone, applying low-quality nail polish, putting on false nails, sanding too much, not taking a break and/or staying for a long time without changing the nail polish are measures that can affect the nails, causing them to flake off.

“Enamel must be renewed at most every seven days and, in between, the nail must remain without enamel for one to two days”, comments the dermatologist. Another problem is the process of putting on false nails, which requires the nail to be sanded over its entire surface. This causes loss of several natural layers of the nail, which tends to flake off until its full recovery.

Stress

Stress brings several consequences to the body as it mobilizes different homonyms. Among these consequences, it can generate changes in the nails, leaving them weaker and flaky.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin and can also affect the fingernails and/or toenails, leaving them flaky, discolored, with spots and/or depressions.

The causes for peeling nails are as varied as possible, and can be of internal or external origin. The ideal is to escape the assumptions and seek medical help as soon as you notice this sign.

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Dermatologist clarifies doubts about peeling nails

How is the treatment? Is peeling nail in pregnancy a normal symptom? These are some common questions related to the topic. Check the clarification for the main ones:

Can peeling nails be a sign of illness?

Yes, peeling nails can be associated with diseases, such as onychomycosis (nail mycosis), allergies, hypothyroidism, psoriasis, hypovitaminosis, among others, says Sara. However, peeling nails can also have simpler causes, associated with everyday habits.

What can peeling nails during pregnancy mean?

This may be a change resulting from the typical hormonal action of pregnancy, but it is not a rule. That is, some women may notice nails flaking and breaking more easily, while others may have stronger, faster-growing nails during pregnancy.

Can peeling nails be a sign of anemia?

Yes, answers Sarah. The lack of iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 can result, among other problems, in anemia, and one of the characteristics can be flaky nails with white spots.

Can peeling nails be a sign of thyroid problems?

Yes, from hypothyroidism, points out Sara. As this disease is related to a decrease in metabolism, the transport of nutrients to the nails is also slower, which tends to generate flaky, weak and brittle nails.

How to treat peeling nails?

The first step, emphasizes Sara, is to discover the cause of the problem, and then remove the triggering factor. “Depending on the case, we will then have to treat the cause (if it is a disease, for example). Other than that, it’s important to moisturize your nails often, you can do that with coconut oil for example,” she says.

Are there specific nail polishes that prevent nail flaking?

There are hypoallergenic nail polishes on the market, that is, they do not cause allergies. “But if the cause of the peeling nails is not an allergy, this type of nail polish will not solve the problem”, he explains.

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For all these reasons, the importance of consulting a dermatologist who will identify the cause and indicate the most effective treatment is reinforced.

More information about peeling nails

Listening to other people’s reports and tips can help identify and resolve the problem. It is worth noting that you cannot jump to conclusions, thinking that your case is the same. Consultation with the dermatologist should by no means be left aside!

Why do nails peel?

In the video, pharmacist Giovanna Pansani talks about some aspects that contribute to nail peeling and gives basic tips to avoid the problem.

How to treat nails that flake too much?

Alice says her nails were flaking, getting thin and breaking easily. In the video, she shows how she got her nails back. It is worth remembering that although the tips work for her, it does not mean that it will work in other cases (since each one has its own particularities and different causes).

Home treatment for peeling nails

In the video, you can check out a homemade and practical recipe that promises to make your nails stronger and without flaking. But be careful! Homemade recipes will not always work and, in some cases, they may even worsen the condition or mask the real cause of the problem.

Now you already know that the causes for the nails to be peeling are the most varied possible. Therefore, it is essential to consult a dermatologist as soon as you notice the condition. Also know what nail mycosis is, how to treat and prevent it.

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