Nail delamination

NAIL PROBLEMS

Blisters and calluses

Ingrown, damaged nails 

Nail delamination

Nail fungi

Brittle nails 

NAIL DELAMINATION

WHAT IS NAIL DELAMINATION?

Nails are corneous growths made up of keratin, a protein also found in hair. Their shape and quality depend on inherited genes, and they grow 0.5-1.2 mm per week on your fingers and 0.2-0.5 mm per week on your toes. The nail plate is thus restored in about half a year. With nail delamination, peeling of a nail layer occurs, and the nail is usually dry and brittle. The nails are often “torn” and the tip of the nail looks as if you were removing or peeling each layer separately.

The medical term for nail delamination is onychoschisis and is most commonly caused by repeated washing and drying of hands or wearing gloves, which causes the layer of nail plate to break because of wet hands. Nail delamination can occur horizontally or vertically. Sometimes it is caused by a psoriasis-like disease Lichen planus and taking psoriasis medications and chemotherapy.

WHAT ARE THE TRIGGERS?

EXTERNAL INFLUENCES

  • Frequent hand washing dries your hands and nails, which can cause problems with the strength and flexibility of your nails.
  • The use of cleaning products, detergents or other chemicals causes dry fingernails, hot water is also harmful.
  • Temperature changes (cold, wind, snow) can cause nails to become more fragile and brittle.
  • Excessive use of nail polishes and gels can also cause nail delamination. Wearing gel or acrylic nails and not using proper removal techniques can damage the nail surface.
  • Improper manicure, peeling off nail polish, biting nails, improper filing damage the nail surface.
  • Removing nail polish with acetone damages the nail plate, dries out the skin and makes the nails even more sensitive. The nail polish needs to be removed with gentle strokes of cotton wool, soaked in an acetone-free remover, then the hands must be washed with soap and water and nourished with a nourishing cream.

DISEASES

Diseases such as anaemia, tuberculosis and endocrine hormonal problems can manifest in the appearance of nails. In addition to delamination, a change in nail colour can also occur. Yellow nails are associated with lung health, while white nails can be a sign of kidney and liver diseases.

Nail problems can also be a sign of thyroid diseases, such as hyperthyroidism (when the thyroid gland overproduces thyroid hormones) and hypothyroidism (when there is a lack of hormones). Nail changes are more common in hyperthyroidism than in hypothyroidism, but it is not entirely clear why this happens. It is important to note, however, that nail delamination is not the only sign of thyroid disease.

  • Nail psoriasis

Nail psoriasis affects many patients with psoriasis, regardless of the type and severity of the disease. About 50% of patients with psoriasis have nail disease. Typical nail changes appear as cloudy or yellowish nail plate, which is furrowed or stratified, a thickening of the nail that may split from the base, and numerous cavities and indentations in or under the nail.

  • Medicine that affects the nail structure

Nail delamination can also be a side effect of some medication, such as retinoids, which doctors prescribe to treat acne.

  • Pregnancy

An altered hormonal picture during pregnancy can cause nails to grow faster due to increased circulation and the metabolism that supplies them with nutrients. However, because the nails grow so rapidly, their structure can be poorer, the nails are not as strong, they become brittle and can split from the base.

  • Vitamin deficiency

Vitamins or a lack of them are a common culprit for nail problems. Biotin, vitamin B7, increases nail thickness by as much as 25 percent. Deficiency of this vitamin often occurs during pregnancy, malnutrition or extreme weight loss, but can also be the result of a monotonous diet.

Some other vitamins, such as folic acid and vitamin B12, are also important for strong nails. Lack of these two vitamins causes brittle and delaminated nails. The lack of iron and protein leads to soft spoon-like nails that begin to bend upwards at the edges.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR NAILS ARE DELAMINATED?

  1. Vitamins and minerals

If you want your nails to look healthy, eat balanced and healthy meals. You can also achieve healthy nails by taking a dietary supplement that contains biotin, folic acid and vitamin B12. Talk about the supplements to your diet with your doctor or pharmacist, who knows your medical history.

  1. Cuticle care

The cuticle protects the nails from harmful bacteria. If you cut it, it will not be able to do its job. Nourish your nails and cuticle on your hands and feet – use olive oil as a natural protective barrier for your skin and nails daily.

  1. Moisturize skin and nails

Make sure your nails are always moisturized. Dry nails are also more brittle and therefore break and delaminate faster. To keep the epidermis always moisturized and soft, use olive oil or anything else that contains vitamin E on your hands and nails before going to bed. It is also important to moisturize your body by drinking enough water every day.

  1. Dry your nails

When washing dishes, cleaning or doing any “wet work”, wear gloves and reduce hand disinfection with alcohol-based disinfectants.

  1. Take care of your nails

If your nails are thicker, you must soak or properly hydrate them with products that moisturize and nourish your nails, restore their suppleness, flexibility and strength, thus improving their structure (e.g. products with hyaluronic acid and Aloe vera).

Use products that contain panthenol. This ensures the care, proper structure and strength of the nails and enables faster regeneration. Panthenol binds with water and properly hydrates and reduces nail delamination. It creates a protective layer and has an extremely regenerative effect.

A good choice for care are products that contain active oxygen compounds. These enable the supply of oxygen to the nails and cuticle to accelerate the nail regeneration processes. At the same time, the active oxygen compounds have a mild antiseptic effect and thus additionally protect the nails while cleaning and nourishing them. Such products provide hydration, structure, strength, flexibility, suppleness and a healthy appearance and shine

ENIKAM RECOMMENDS:
OXILVER® Nail solution for nails

OXILVER® Nail Solution spray – a product with active oxygen, intended for oxygenation, faster regeneration and care of nails and cuticle. It has a mild antiseptic effect and thus prevents the spread of infection. Panthenol provides hydration and suppleness to the nails, which become less brittle.

How to use:
Apply OXILVER® Nail solution spray solution 3-4 times a day. For a faster and more intense effect, apply OXILVER® Skin gel each time. The solution does not need to be rinsed off, just wait for the nails to dry.

WE RECOMMEND: