# Why do fingernails peel?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fingernails-peel/306888>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 4, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fingernails-peel/306888 "2005-06-04T15:36:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Red\_Stilettos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Red\_Stilettos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Stilettos)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fingernails-peel/306888/1 "2005-06-04T15:36:18Z")

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And, more importantly, how can I prevent it?

My nails vary between fairly healthy and strong and peeling and thin. There must be some trigger for the switch, but I can’t figure out what it is. Currently, they are in a peeling phase. Some of them are so bad that the top layer has peeled off about half of the nail. :eek:

As for fixes/prevention, I’ve tried everything I can think of. I protect them from water and chemicals as much as possible. I keep them nicely filed. I keep polish on them. When they are peeling, none of that helps. When they’re good, none of it is needed.

So SDMB, what am I missing? 😕

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**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fingernails-peel/306888/2 "2005-06-05T03:02:44Z")

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It may be a vitamin deficiency in your diet. Have you changed what you’re eating lately?

Antectdotally, I noticed a change in my fingernails after I started drinking bottled water instead of tap water . . . perhaps the bottled water has more minerals or a lack of nail-weakening chemicals.

You can buy special vitamins which strengthen fingernails (and hair)-- you can probably find them at any vitamin store, and I think some of the chains like Wal-Mart and K-Mart carry them.

Until they have time to grow out, you may want to think about putting a coating over your nails, if they’re getting to the point where it’s painful. There’s a product called Hard As Nails which is applied like a nail polish which, well, hardens your nails.

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**Author:** ![serious\_lark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@serious\_lark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/serious_lark)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fingernails-peel/306888/3 "2005-06-05T03:36:18Z")

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If you haven’t already, you should show your nails to your family doctor when they are in a peeling phase.

According to this cite ([http://ms.essortment.com/fingernailsheal\_rzxn.htm](http://ms.essortment.com/fingernailsheal_rzxn.htm) ), nails that peel away in layers are usually due to an inadequate diet and they suggest increasing protein & calcium intake & a doctor-recommend vitamin & mineral supplement. They do point out that people with certain problems with digestion (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome) may have significant problems with this problem.

Hope this helps!

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**Author:** ![Red\_Stilettos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Red\_Stilettos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Stilettos)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fingernails-peel/306888/4 "2005-06-05T03:44:20Z")

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Thanks for the suggestions! My diet has been less than perfect lately; now I have one more reason to fix it. In the meantime, I’ll see if I can find a decent vitamin supplement.

**serious lark** , I don’t know why, but it’s never occured to me to ask my doctor about it. I’ll try to remember it for my next appointment.

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**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fingernails-peel/306888/5 "2005-06-05T03:57:45Z")

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My nails, which had chronically peeled for my whole life, have just in the last two weeks grown in healthy and strong. I started taking GNC’s Women’s Ultra Mega vitamins a couple of months ago, so I think that’s the difference.

And by the way–nailpolish always made my nails peel much _more_. It’s bad stuff, for me.

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**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fingernails-peel/306888/6 "2005-06-05T14:26:26Z")

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I’ve heard that gelatin strengthens nails. So maybe you could try eating more Jello?

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**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\
**Post date:** [June 5, 2005, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-fingernails-peel/306888/7 "2005-06-05T15:01:19Z")

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> [@Guinastasia](#):
>
> I’ve heard that gelatin strengthens nails. So maybe you could try eating more Jello?

Or bite them?