Reasons why nails exfoliate, and methods of therapy

When a patient comes to a cosmetologist and complains that his nails are exfoliating, he expects a clear answer from the specialist why his nail is damaged  the plate and what medications or procedures will return the smooth elastic look to the nails. However, it should be explained to the patient that there can be quite a few reasons why the nails exfoliate, and for effective treatment, the nail plate must be carefully examined.

 Reasons  on which nails often exfoliate

Each nail is a layer of keratin, between which are thin layers of water and lipids. Keratin layers adhere tightly to each other, which is why the nails look smooth and have an elastic structure. Under some external influences or under the influence of internal factors, the thinnest gaps or cracks form between the layers of keratin, through which water evaporates, and cavities form in its place. As a result, the layers of keratin cease to cling tightly to each other.

The nail plate may exfoliate for the following reasons:

• exposure to household chemicals, frequent contact with hot water;
• wrong manicure, use of aggressive varnishes and means for its removal;
• violation of the technique of nail extension and removal;
• frequent injury to the tips of the nails during work (musicians, computer scientists, typists);
• bruises, injuries of the phalanges of the fingers;
• nervous disorders in which the patient bites his nails or picks, scrapes them on a hard surface;
• Micronutrient deficiencies due to unbalanced diet;
• drug intoxications;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine disorders, anemia;
• certain skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis, pyoderma).

The reason why the nails exfoliate may be a fungal infection, therefore, when developing a treatment strategy, it is necessary to obtain the results of an appropriate study.

 Exfoliating nail plate: diagnosis and treatment

The effectiveness of the treatment of exfoliating nails depends on the accuracy of determining the cause for which the nail plate suffers. The patient is prescribed a spectral analysis of the nails for the content of trace elements, a study for a pathogenic fungus, a blood test.

Complex treatment of exfoliating nails consists of medical prescriptions and salon  procedures, nutrition and lifestyle modifications. Depending on the results of laboratory and instrumental studies, the patient is prescribed antimycotic drugs, ultraphonophoresis with vitamins, applications with therapeutic mud, ozocerite, paraffin. An additional effect is provided by massage of the phalanges of the fingers, SPA procedures, sealing of nails, coating with a special medical varnish that helps to keep the nail plate moist and prevent its delamination in the future.