Whether you always have manicured nails or rarely wear polish, the state of our bare nails can often be a window into other aspects of our health. Any notable changes—like fingernail ridges or yellow nails—are worth paying attention to, but one of the most common things you might notice is peeling. Which begs the question: Why are your nails peeling?
Meet the experts: Shirin Peters, M.D., founder of Bethany Medical Clinic in New York City, Blair Murphy-Rose M.D., F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center, and Dana Stern, M.D., a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Dana.
The answer to why your nails are peeling could come down to something as simple as the chemicals in your favorite nail polish, but it could also signal something deeper about your health. Either way, it’s a good idea to address the root cause of your peeling nails rather than just covering them up at your next salon appointment.
Ahead, dermatologists explain the many reasons why your nails could be peeling or flaking, plus how to prevent it in the first place, and when it’s time to consult a doctor.
Why are your nails peeling?
There are various potential causes, and below are some of the most common.
1. Your hands are frequently wet.
“The most common cause [of peeling nails] is repetitive wetting or drying of hands,” says Blair Murphy-Rose M.D., F.A.A.D., board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center. “So it happens often with hairdressers, house cleaners, and other jobs requiring frequent soaking of hands.”
Your nails may also peel if you spend time in hot or humid places. “Too much moisture or prolonged exposure to moisture causes the nail to swell with water and become soft,” explains Shirin Peters, M.D., founder of Bethany Medical Clinic in New York City. “The end result is a soft and brittle nail that is susceptible to damage from minimal trauma.”
Treatment: To prevent this from happening, Dr. Peters recommends wearing gloves when doing the dishes, drying your hands and nails thoroughly after washing them, and regularly applying a hand cream containing vitamin E to replenish any moisture that is lost.
2. You buffed your nails too much.
Just as moisture-laden nails can be prone to peeling and splitting, so can nails that are dried out from too much buffing, according to Dr. Peters. “Excessive dryness causes the nail to become brittle so minor trauma easily damages the nail,” she explains. In other words, a small nick can easily turn into a big split when nails are over-exfoliated or parched.
Treatment: Be sure to use a rich moisturizer or nail oil after buffing your nails to keep them from drying out, suggests Dr. Murphy-Rose.
3. The chemicals in your products are too harsh.
Certain chemicals (like those needed for adhesive for gel or acrylic nails) and ingredients found in everything from hand soap and sanitizers to laundry detergent can dry out nails and make them prone to peeling, says Dr. Peters.
Treatment: She recommends looking for products labeled “hypoallergenic” because they typically contain milder or natural chemical agents.
4. You’ve experienced nail trauma.
Picking at polish, biting your nails, or using your nails to open a can of seltzer might not sound very traumatic, but activities like this really can cause nails to start peeling.
“While the exact mechanism is not entirely understood, generally speaking, nail peeling occurs when cell-to-cell adhesion is disrupted,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose, adding that nails are made of many layers of compacted cells. “The connection between one cell and other adjacent cells can be compromised as the bonds between them loosen,” she says, and this is what occurs when the nail peels. “The cell-to-cell adhesion breaks down and the layers separate.”
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Treatment: To prevent that separation from happening, Dr. Murphy-Rose recommends applying a nail strengthener—and be sure to use a gentle, acetone-free nail polish remover instead of picking polish off bit by bit.
5. A nutrient deficiency could be playing a role.
“Peeling nails have been associated with low calcium, as well as a deficiency in iron, vitamin D, and B vitamins like biotin,” says Dr. Peters. “These vitamins all help keratin—what the tissue nails are made of—grow stronger.”
Treatment: Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins is a good place to start addressing nutritional deficiencies, but you might also want to ask your doctor to run blood tests and confirm if you could benefit from taking certain supplements.
6. A thyroid issue might be to blame.
While typical signs of a thyroid problem include weight changes, anxiety, fatigue, and brain fog, peeling nails can also be a red flag. “Thyroid disease causes a slower turnover rate of the skin and nails so older nail tissue stays around for longer, causing nails to become brittle,” explains Dr. Peters.
Treatment: Make an appointment to have your thyroid levels checked. Your doctor can prescribe further treatment if needed.
7. You may have a fungal infection.
“Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, can cause several different types of nail dystrophy including nail peeling,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. You may also experience thickening of the nails and white or yellow-brown discoloration, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Treatment: If you think you have a fungal infection, make an appointment with your dermatologist, as they can be tricky to treat. Your doc can confirm that you have an infection and will likely prescribe oral antifungal meds to help the nail heal.
8. You could have hand eczema.
Sometimes certain skin conditions like eczema can trigger nail peeling. Eczema can pop up on different parts of the body including the hands, which can become dry, flaky, inflamed, and prone to cracks and fissures that cause intense itching and burning. “If inflammation surrounds the nail, this can impact normal nail growth and appearance and nails can grow with irregularities including a tendency to peel,” says Dana Stern, M.D., a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Dana.
Treatment: Manage eczema symptoms by keeping the skin on the hands hydrated with your favorite moisturizer, and stay on top of your regular dermatologist appointments.
How to prevent peeling nails
Simply put, keeping your nails cared for and moisturized is the best way to prevent peeling nails. “Giving your hands and nails some TLC might do the trick but if not, visit your primary care doctor or dermatologist for guidance,” says Dr. Peters. “Your dermatologist will ask questions about possible causes or exposures and any medical conditions or medications that could play a role.” They may also take a clipping of your nail and send it to a dermatopathologist to be examined under a microscope to get a better idea of what’s going on.
Do I need to see a doctor about peeling nails?
Peeling nails can be common and shouldn’t typically be a reason to worry. With time, depending on the severity of the peeling as well as the cause and the efficacy of treatment, symptoms should subside. Usually, there is no internal cause, but if peeling is simply not healing or comes on suddenly, see your dermatologist or primary care physician to explore possible causes like thyroid disease or anemia, says Dr. Stern. Bloodwork and a thorough examination can help paint a clearer picture of what may be going on.
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