Beautiful, sleek hands are the hallmark of a well-groomed woman. But sometimes an obstacle to this is an unpleasant cosmetic problem - exfoliated nails. For women, this problem is most critical, manicure is poor at such nails. But everyone is subject to it, even children. You can not ignore this, since the condition of the body as a whole affects the nails.
Why do nails peel? The reasons can be very different, but they can be divided into two groups: external, associated with local exposure to adverse factors, and internal, which result in weakness and thinning of the nail plate.
External causes of stratification of nails
Open parts of the body are most susceptible to external influences, hands get the most. Nails are sensitive to adverse environments. To many, this problem seems insignificant and temporary, because they grow back, but nevertheless, the causes of stratification and fragility must be established.
Classifying external factors, they can be divided into:
- improper nail care;
- chemical exposure;
- mechanical impact;
- infections.
When these factors are exposed to the nail, microcracks form in the nail plate, their increase and becomes the cause of delamination.
Improper nail care
One of the reasons that the nails peel and break can be improper handling during manicure. The first thing worth noting: they need to be cut with sharp tools, in no case bite. Such a mockery of the nail spoils its structure initially, in the future, the penetration of the smallest particles of dust and dirt exfoliates the nail even more.
Make a manicure with a nail file, placing it perpendicular to the nail. When the file is at an angle, the layers of the nail plate are removed unevenly, which also contributes to the penetration of dirt and delamination of the nail. Problematic nail plates cannot be treated with a metal nail file, from which particles of abrasive can get between the flakes.
Chemical exposure
Adverse effects on the hands and nails can be caused by the use of household chemicals, especially potent cleaning agents and water. A few hours of cleaning without gloves can cost a beautiful manicure - the growing white part of the nails becomes faded and transparent. Then it breaks easily. The rest of this also suffers, so the nail grows brittle and weak.
It may also be detrimental to apply varnishes containing formaldehyde, remove varnish with an acetone-based liquid, or build up. These products degrease and dehydrate the nails, they lose a healthy color, shine, elasticity and become brittle.
Mechanical impact
Flaking nails are a professional problem for those who have to work with their hands, especially with their fingers, for example musicians, typesetters. The protruding part of the nails is constantly subjected to stresses, because of which it breaks, not even having time to grow back. The same problem arises for those who use nails as tools to pry, peel, or unscrew something.
Infections
This group of reasons for stratification of nails lies between external and internal factors: mechanical damage contributes to the penetration of infections into the nail plate, and a weakened body and a decrease in immunity to their development.
Infections can be allergenic, bacterial or fungal. Common signs of nail damage are:
- a change in the structure of the nail - friability or thickening;
- pressure pain, burning, itching;
- discoloration of the nail plate - clouding, yellowing.
The reason may be the constant exposure to the allergen, the penetration of bacterial or fungal infections, which causes the inflammatory process. A good prevention of nail infection is to thoroughly clean the nails with a brush when washing hands.
Internal causes of stratification of nails
Why do nails peel? The cause of their poor condition can be a variety of diseases of the internal organs. In Tibetan medicine, there is a direction for diagnosing nails.
Modern studies and observations have shown that the processes occurring in the body are reflected on the nails. Nails on the hands are fully updated within 6-9 months. According to defects formed in a certain part of the nail, it is possible to judge about past diseases.
The problems of the body are manifested on the nails most clearly because they are supplied with nutrients in the last turn. Therefore, if nutrition has not reached the nails, then all the forces have been mobilized and thrown to solve the problems of other organs. That is why deep transverse furrows can occur - at this time the nail did not grow. True, the same defect appears under mechanical pressure, when the cuticle is removed incorrectly.
Lack of vitamins
One of the most common causes of fragility and stratification of nails is a lack of vitamins and minerals. In this case, it also affects the hair - they are also a derivative of the epidermis. Basically, there are not enough proteins, calcium, magnesium, vitamins A, C, D, E, group B, as well as selenium, sulfur, silicon. If the nail plate has a concave shape, this indicates a lack of iron.
Diseases of the internal organs
The most serious for diagnosing a group of causes of stratification of nails are internal diseases. This may be due to disorders in the circulatory system, respiratory, endocrine, digestive systems, as well as liver and kidney diseases. In this case, brittle nails are not the only sign of problems; they are also indicated by a change in color, the appearance of spots and stripes. For example, a bluish color indicates a poor oxygen supply, it can also be a sign of insufficient blood supply, white nail plates are most often a symptom of cirrhosis, yellow spots are an indicator of gastrointestinal tract disorders, dark bluish-black spots (if this is not caused by an injury) indicate heart failure.
Nail treatment
Before proceeding with the treatment of exfoliating nails, it is advisable to establish the cause of the problem. This is especially important if changes in the color and structure of the nail plates are added to the fragility, since then this is not just a cosmetic flaw, but a signal of serious violations and diseases in the body.
Treatment of the problem of stratification of the nail is carried out in a cosmetic and drug manner. When exposed to a group of external factors, cosmetic treatment will be effective and sufficient. If the problem is caused by internal disturbances, then first of all, the cause is eliminated, and then the nails are put in order by cosmetic treatment.
Cosmetic treatments for nail stratification
There are several ways to strengthen nails and protect them from external influences. In beauty salons, they offer procedures that saturate the entire nail plate with keratin and nutritional components:
- The complex of SPA-procedures is carried out using nutritious, emollient and moisturizing agents and aromatic oils, these are hand baths, masks with avocados, seaweed, honey, coffee beans, massage;
- paraffin therapy is carried out using paraffin heated to a viscous state, this procedure softens the skin of the hands, improves blood circulation, which contributes to the activation of growth and regeneration processes;
- Japanese manicure involves very gentle care without the help of metal tools, includes massage, wellness and nourishing procedures;
- applying a protective coating on the nails - this procedure involves two steps: applying a nutrient layer and applying a protective layer, which makes the nails stronger, but does not limit the respiratory functions of the nails.
Home remedies for strengthening nails
What to do if the nails on the hands exfoliate ? If you experience problems with brittleness, fading and delamination of the nail plates, this can be dealt with at home by regularly conducting the following procedures:
- apply olive oil on the skin of hands and nails at night, put on cotton gloves;
- make warm baths from sea salt, herbal infusions or any vegetable oil with the addition of a few drops of iodine, the duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes;
- it is useful to wipe the nails with a slice of lemon, this saturates the nail with vitamins and brightens the yellowed nail plate.
Medication for stratification of nails
What to do if the nails on the hands exfoliate? Treatment of stratification of the nail plates, associated with the internal problems of the body, is most appropriate to start with a visit to a dermatologist. He will evaluate the general condition of not only the nails, but also the hair and skin integument, indicate possible factors that affect their unhealthy appearance, and refer him to a specialist for examination.
Nutrition for strengthening nails
In addition, it is necessary to balance nutrition and provide the body with a sufficient amount of minerals and vitamins. To strengthen nails, eating is beneficial:
- animal proteins, they are found in meat, fish and seafood;
- calcium, which is found in dairy products;
- vitamin D, it helps the body absorb calcium, is found in fish oil, algae, and is also produced in the body under the influence of sunlight;
- vitamin A, they are rich in carrots, butter;
- vitamin C, a lot of it in grapes, citrus fruits, black currants;
- Vitamin E, it is in legumes, nuts, vegetable oil;
- B vitamins that are found in meat, eggs, dairy products, herbs.
You can also drink a complex of vitamins. Very useful for hair and nails are brewer's yeast, vitamin complex "Perfect", sesame seed.
The child has nails
An actively growing child's body reacts very sensitively to all changes that occur in it. Therefore, cutting off the nails of a child, it is worth paying attention to their condition. The stratification of small nails may not be very noticeable and does not look so terrible as in the arms of an adult, but still it is worth taking a closer look.
Why does a child have nails on her hands? The reasons for stratification, as in adults, can be different:
- Accidental mechanical damage is very common, especially if inquisitive kids like to pick something out and get it with their fingers. Mums usually know about bruises of nails, as they are accompanied by crying.
- The habit of biting your nails - this, of course, can be weaned off with bitter varnishes, “anti-bites,” which are sold in the pharmacy, but in general this habit is a signal that the child is experiencing psychological discomfort.
- Vitamin deficiency affects the nails in the first place. The child may not have enough vitamins of groups B, A, C, E, D, PP, calcium. If this is accompanied by general weakness, as well as a change in the condition of the hair and skin, it is necessary to check the level of hemoglobin.
- Fungal diseases are manifested by yellowing and darkening of the nail, peeling of the nail plate, in this case, you should immediately consult a dermatologist, in a child's body the fungus can easily damage the root of the nail, then it will have to be completely removed.
- Peeling of the nail plate may indicate violations in the endocrine system and gastrointestinal tract, therefore, an urgent examination is required.
Prevention of stratification and fragility of nails
In order to protect your nails from damage and delamination, you need to follow just a few simple rules:
- do homework and other work associated with the use of household and construction chemicals in rubber gloves, after it it is imperative to lubricate the hands and nail plates with a nourishing and moisturizing cream, however, as well as after any contact with water and soap;
- to do manicure with a gentle nail file, placing it perpendicular to the treated plane of the nail, this is especially important for exfoliating nails, metal abrasives in this case are completely excluded;
- try to use high-quality varnishes and acetone-free remover, it is better to apply a special protective coating under the varnish;
- periodically, the nails should be given the opportunity to take a break from the coatings and recover;
- morning and evening massage of the periungual area, this will improve blood circulation.
If you have exfoliating nails (we examined the causes and treatment), do not ignore this fact. Beautiful and well-groomed hands should not be a luxury, any woman can afford it. The main thing is not to leave them unattended and lead a healthy lifestyle.