Peeling skin around fingernails, medically known as periungual desquamation, is a common occurrence. While often a minor issue, it involves the shedding of the outermost skin layer around the nail plate. Understanding its causes can help in care and prevention.
Everyday Reasons for Peeling Skin
Dryness and lack of moisture are frequent causes of peeling skin around the fingernails. Harsh environmental conditions, such as dry air, can lead to the skin losing its natural hydration. When skin lacks moisture, it becomes prone to flaking and peeling.
Frequent hand washing, particularly with harsh soaps, strips away the skin’s natural oils and moisture barrier. This leaves the skin vulnerable to dryness and peeling.
Physical trauma from habits like nail biting or picking at the skin around the nails causes direct damage. This injures the delicate skin, leading to raw areas that can peel. Minor physical stresses, such as manual tasks or prolonged water exposure, also contribute to peeling.
External Irritants and Allergic Reactions
External substances can trigger irritation or allergic reactions, causing the skin around fingernails to peel. Harsh chemicals in cleaning products, detergents, solvents, and high-alcohol hand sanitizers strip the skin’s protective barrier, leading to dryness and peeling.
Nail products are a frequent source of irritation. Nail polish, acetone-based removers, and artificial nail adhesives can be harsh on the delicate skin. Acetone, a strong solvent, dries out nails and cuticles, making them brittle and prone to peeling.
Contact dermatitis occurs when skin reacts to irritants or allergens, manifesting as peeling, redness, and itching. Common irritants include soaps and detergents, while allergens can range from metals to preservatives in personal care products.
Underlying Health Factors
While often due to external factors, peeling skin can signal underlying health issues. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly of certain vitamins and minerals, can contribute to dry, peeling skin and brittle nails.
Fungal infections can also cause peeling skin. These infections, including onychomycosis affecting nails, may lead to discolored, thickened, or crumbling nails and surrounding skin.
Certain skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, can present with periungual peeling. These chronic inflammatory conditions lead to dryness, redness, and flaking of the skin around the nails.
Seek medical advice if peeling skin is persistent, severe, painful, or accompanied by redness, swelling, or pus, or if home remedies do not provide relief. A healthcare provider can determine the cause and recommend treatment.
Effective Care and Prevention
Regular moisturization is important for preventing peeling skin. Apply thick creams or ointments frequently, especially after hand washing, to replenish the skin’s moisture barrier. Moisturizers with ingredients like urea or shea butter can be effective.
Protecting hands from harsh elements and chemicals is crucial. Wear gloves during household chores or when handling cleaning products to prevent direct exposure to irritants and maintain skin integrity.
Practice gentle hand care by using mild soaps and avoiding harsh hand sanitizers. Soaps free from sulfates and strong fragrances are less likely to strip natural oils. After washing, thoroughly dry hands before moisturizing to lock in hydration.
Drink enough water to support overall skin health. Proper hydration maintains skin elasticity and barrier function, making it more resilient.
Break habits like nail biting or picking at cuticles to prevent physical damage. This allows the delicate skin around the nails to heal naturally.
When using nail products, choose acetone-free polish removers. These are gentler on nails and surrounding skin, reducing dryness and irritation, and help maintain nail and cuticle health.