Just as there are many causes for peeling fingernails, there are also many solutions. The best way to stop your fingernails from peeling is to go through the following solutions and experiment by trial and error. One of the top causes of peeling fingernails is climate, and many people experience this problem during cold winter months. One of the best ways to keep fingernails from peeling during winter months is to keep the hands warm by limiting exposure while outdoors and wearing warm gloves.
Another great way to help to treat peeling fingernails, especially if cold weather is the culprit, is to keep the hands and nails moisturized. Use a good emollient such as a thick moisturizer or even a hand balm. Be sure to rub the lotion or balm thoroughly into the skin of the hands as well as rubbing it into the fingernails. You may even want to try moisturizing the hands before putting on gloves and going out into the cold.
Exposure to chemicals, especially chemicals used for household cleaning, can also cause peeling fingernails. In order to protect the hands and fingernails from such harsh chemicals, try wearing rubber gloves while scouring your bath tub, scrubbing your kitchen floor, or cleaning your windows. Another option is to use organic cleaning products that are made without chemicals. No matter what kinds of cleaning agents you use, be sure to wash and moisturize your hands afterwards.
Peeling fingernails can also be caused by regular immersion of the hands in water. For this reason, swimmers often have problems with their nails. The same problem can affect anyone who regularly washes their hands or does some kind of work that requires regularly wetting the hands and nails. Wearing gloves to protect the nails is one of the best ways to prevent peeling from water exposure. For those who cannot wear gloves, such as swimmers, the nails can be protected by rubbing in a dose of petroleum jelly or olive oil.
No matter what the cause of peeling fingernails, the solutions are usually the same. Protect the fingernails whenever possible and be sure to keep the hands and nails moisturized by treating them with an emollient both before and after exposure to elements such as cold weather, water, and chemicals. There are a number of companies that sell hand balms and even creams for fingernails. Consider keeping a travel-sized tin or bottle of one of these products with you at all times.