Toenails flake: why is this happening and what to do?

Smooth and neat toenails indicate not only proper care for them, but also the absence of various diseases. If they began to exfoliate or break, this is a sign of the influence of some external factors, and some problems inside the body.

Due to dystrophic changes inside the nails, the plates become thinner and begin to split into flakes. The result is brittleness and brittleness of nails, they acquire a rough surface, dull appearance and may begin to crumble. To eliminate this problem, called onychodystrophy by doctors, you should first find out its causes.

In their structure, toenails are formed from thin plates of keratin, which are tightly pressed together and provide them with hardness. The structure of the nails also includes layers of water for the desired elasticity. In addition, there are many trace elements inside the nail plates, among which are calcium, chromium, zinc and so on.

The germ cells located at the base are responsible for the growth of nails (this is the lighter part in the form of a crescent). As new cells form, old cells are pushed forward to the free edge. This continuous process occurs in the body of a healthy person, if no negative factors influence the growth and condition of the nails. If there is a foliation of nails, the reasons are very different.

The reasons of this kind include any external influences due to which the nail plate loses water, becomes dry and begins to break. In children, this happens due to the following factors:

• delamination due to various mechanical influences, for example, squeezing the plates with too tight shoes;
• the effect of too dry air;
• consequence of hypothermia;
• the result of contact of nails with too hot water;
• damage by various chemicals.

This large group of reasons, due to which the nails are stratified even in small children, include any changes within the body. These are:

• anemia, which appears due to a lack of iron in the body or violations of the mechanisms of its absorption (therefore, such a disease is called iron deficiency);
• poor nutrition, due to which the child does not receive enough proteins, vitamins, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and other substances;
• diseases of the digestive system, endocrine glands or liver, which will result in a deterioration in the metabolism of nutrients necessary for normal nail growth;
• fungal infection, as well as various skin diseases, for example, eczema or lichen;
• imbalance of hormones, which often occurs in adolescents;
• poisoning with certain drugs or heavy metals.

Exfoliating and crumbling nails, depending on the pathological process in the plates and provoking factors may look different.

1. If the nail plate leaf-like splits in the region of the free edge, and the main part remains intact, this condition is called onychosis. With such a lesion, the free part may not even split, but only become very thin. Most often this happens with repeated injuries of the nails, exposure to alkalis, the use of low-quality varnishes or improper pedicure.
2. If the nail plate begins to separate from the bed, exfoliating partially or completely, this problem is called "onycholysis." Peeling of nails is not only from the free edge, but also from the sides. As a rule, a fungal infection, skin diseases, injuries, endocrine pathologies and chemicals lead to this.
3. If cracks or longitudinal grooves are visible on the surface of the nails, this pathology is called onychorexis. It occurs with depriving and psoriasis, as well as a deficiency of vitamins in food and diseases of the digestive tract. Stripes on the surface of the nail plates are found both dark and light.

If stratifying and breaking nails on the feet of children are found, it is most appropriate to consult a pediatrician. The doctor will examine the small patient and determine which narrow specialist is best to show the child - a dermatologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist or another. They know what to do in such cases.

If necessary, the baby will be sent for a blood test and some other testsfor example, they will determine the level of hormones or examine the nail plate for fungus. In order to effectively resolve the problem, the impact should be focused primarily on its cause. That is why any home measures without consulting a doctor are not recommended so that the condition of the nails in a small patient does not deteriorate even more.

If brittleness and delamination is found on the nails of an adult, a visit to a doctor will also be a great way out, because after it, the reason for such a problem will be clear, which will affect possible methods of treatment.

1. A competent doctor will certainly pay attention to the patient's diet - whether he eats enough protein, whether there are vegetables and fresh fruits on the menu, whether he consumes dairy products and so on.
2. If the cause of the stratification is injury, then special treatment is not required. It is only necessary to ensure normal healing with the nail, protecting it for this period with a bactericidal patch, which should be regularly changed.
3. Among the drugs that are prescribed for delamination, the most popular are vitamin complexes or single drugs, for example, retinol. In some cases, special antifungal drugs or antibiotics are also required.
4. To strengthen brittle plates, many doctors recommend an additional intake of gelatin, as a source of valuable amino acids and fats. Jelly is prepared from it daily and consumed orally for several months.

To prevent stratification of the toenails in children, It is recommended to follow practical tips.

1. It is important to carefully and timely cut off overgrown nails. Sharp scissors should be used for the procedure, and the plates need to be cut in a straight line.
2. It is necessary to eat fully and balanced. A child’s diet should always have high-quality protein foods, vegetables, fruits, nuts, dairy products.
3. It is important to monitor sufficient water intake so that the nail plates do not dry out. If necessary, you can include complex supplements, which contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
4. You should buy comfortable shoes and pay attention when the leg has grown and shoes or boots began to crush.
5. It is important to often change socks, to prevent hypothermia of the legs. To go to public places (pool, sauna) only in individual rubber slippers.

The following should be added to preventive measures in adults:

• regular nail care at home all year round;
• selection of good varnishes and a proven pedicure specialist;
• the use of strengthening agents for nails;
• performing procedures to enhance blood flow and accelerate the growth of nails, for example, wax applications or massage;
• the use of medicinal varnishes, which contain vitamins and other useful components;
• treatment before bedtime with any nutritious cream for sufficient hydration;

In more detail, why the nails peel off, see the video below.