Ava Monroe
Peeling and splitting nails can be caused by a number of factors, from external damage to ageing. Nails that are prone to peeling and splitting can be a sign of brittle nails, or onychoschizia, and may be the result of something that occurred months earlier.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical term | Onychoschizia |
| Cause | Excessive dryness, frequent wetting and drying of the hands, picking at polish, biting nails, using nails to open things, prolonged water exposure, certain chemicals and ingredients |
| Treatment | Use a rich moisturiser or nail oil, apply a nail strengthener, use a gentle, acetone-free nail polish remover |
| Age | More common in women over 60 but can affect men, too |
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What You'll Learn
Nails that are dried out from too much buffing
To prevent this, it is important to use a rich moisturiser or nail oil after buffing your nails. This will help to keep them from drying out. It is also worth noting that certain chemicals and ingredients found in everyday products like hand soap, sanitizers, and laundry detergent can also dry out nails and make them more susceptible to peeling.
Additionally, frequent wetting and drying of the hands is a common cause of brittle nails, which can lead to peeling and splitting. This can be from activities such as doing the dishes or any other prolonged water exposure.
Nail peeling can also be caused by picking at polish, biting your nails, or using your nails for tasks like opening cans. While the exact mechanism is not fully understood, it is believed that nail peeling occurs when cell-to-cell adhesion is disrupted, causing the layers of compacted cells that make up our nails to separate.
In some cases, cracked, split, or brittle nails can be a sign of a health problem or a result of the ageing process, particularly in women over 60.
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Chemicals in hand soap and sanitizers can dry out nails
Peeling and splitting nails can be caused by a number of factors, including trauma or damage to the nail, such as picking at nail polish, biting your nails, or using your nails to open things. Nails can also become brittle and prone to peeling and splitting due to excessive dryness, which can be caused by frequent handwashing with hot water, or the use of hand sanitizers, which strip nails of moisture.
Frequent handwashing with hot water can also dry out nails, as can the use of highly fragranced hand lotions. To prevent this, it is recommended to use a rich moisturiser or nail oil after washing your hands, and to opt for mild, fragrance-free cleansers when washing your hands.
In addition to this, certain chemicals found in hand soap and sanitizers, as well as laundry detergent, can contribute to nail dryness and peeling.
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Trauma or damage to the nail itself
Dr Peters adds that 'Excessive dryness causes the nail to become brittle so minor trauma easily damages the nail. That means a small nick can turn into a big split when nails are too dry.' Soaking your hands in hot water while doing the dishes or engaging in any other prolonged water exposure can also dry out the nails and cause them to peel.
Certain chemicals and ingredients found in everything from hand soap and sanitizers to laundry detergent can also dry out nails and make them prone to peeling.
Nail abnormalities can also be caused by something that occurred months earlier. As you age, your nails become thinner and more likely to crack, peel and ridge. This is most common in women over 60 but can affect men too.
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Frequent wetting and drying of the hands
Peeling and splitting nails can be caused by frequent wetting and drying of the hands. This can cause nails to dry out, making them more prone to peeling and splitting. This is the most common cause of brittle nails.
According to Dr Rose, nail peeling occurs when cell-to-cell adhesion is disrupted. Our nails are made of many layers of compacted cells, and the connection between these cells can be compromised as the bonds between them loosen. This is what happens when the nail peels – the cell-to-cell adhesion breaks down and the layers separate.
Dr Rose recommends applying a nail strengthener to prevent this separation from happening. She also suggests using a gentle, acetone-free nail polish remover instead of picking polish off bit by bit.
Dr Peters adds that excessive dryness can cause the nail to become brittle, so minor trauma can easily damage the nail. A small nick can turn into a big split when nails are too dry. To prevent this, Dr Rose suggests using a rich moisturiser or nail oil after buffing your nails.
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Getting older
The medical term for peeling or splitting fingernails is onychoschizia. This condition causes horizontal splits across the width of the nail plate. Nails that are cracked, split, or brittle can sometimes be a sign of a health problem, and the most common reason for this is getting older. As we age, our nails become thinner and more prone to cracking. This is most common in women over 60 but can also affect men. If your nails are peeling and splitting due to ageing, you may also notice ridges.
Onychoschizia can also be caused by frequent wetting and drying of the hands, which is the most common cause of brittle nails. Soaking your hands in hot water while doing the dishes or engaging in any other prolonged water exposure can dry out the nails and cause them to peel. Nails that are dried out from too much buffing can also be prone to peeling and splitting. This is because excessive dryness causes the nail to become brittle, so minor trauma can easily damage the nail. A small nick can turn into a big split when nails are too dry.
Certain chemicals and ingredients found in hand soap, sanitizers, and laundry detergent can also dry out nails and make them prone to peeling. Additionally, activities such as picking at polish, biting your nails, or using your nails to open things can cause nails to start peeling. While the exact mechanism is not entirely understood, nail peeling occurs when cell-to-cell adhesion is disrupted. Our nails are made of many layers of compacted cells, and the connection between these cells can be compromised as the bonds between them loosen.
To prevent nail peeling and splitting, it is recommended to use a rich moisturiser or nail oil after buffing your nails to keep them from drying out. You can also apply a nail strengthener and be sure to use a gentle, acetone-free nail polish remover instead of picking polish off.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a sign of onychoschizia, a condition that causes horizontal splits across the width of the nail.
Frequent wetting and drying of the hands is the most common cause of onychoschizia. Nails can also become brittle from ageing, trauma or damage, or from being dried out by chemicals in hand soap, sanitiser, or laundry detergent.
To prevent nails from peeling and splitting, Dr Rose recommends applying a nail strengthener like Ella+Mila First Aid Kiss Nail Strengthener or OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener. You should also use a rich moisturiser or nail oil, and a gentle, acetone-free nail polish remover.
Avoid prolonged exposure to water, and be sure to use a moisturiser or nail oil after buffing your nails to prevent them from drying out.
