As you get older, the sight of peeling, fraying nails, where it looks like layers of the nail are peeling back from the end, can become more common. But sometimes there's an underlying cause for this nail fraying (also called onychoschizia), and if you address the underlying cause, you can reduce or eliminate the peeling effect. Some of these potential causes are easy to take care of, while others may need more extensive treatment. But in all cases, the sooner you figure out what's going on, the quicker your nails' recovery will be.

What's the Water Like, Inside and Out?

Both dehydration and over-hydration can be a problem for your nails. You need to drink an appropriate amount of water or other liquid daily for regular hydration. If you become chronically dehydrated, you could see some of those effects on your nails. Start increasing your water intake; if nothing else, aim for the old 8-glasses-per-day standard (even though that's lately been set aside for a more flexible daily intake, it gives you a steady goal to aim for).

Also look at how much you've been washing your hands. You do need to wash your hands frequently to keep them clean and prevent germ transmission. But if you've had to wash them more often lately, such as when all your co-workers are sick and you're trying to avoid their colds, that could make your nails more susceptible to peeling. Try using a gentle hand lotion after washing your hands.

Possible Fungal Problems

These are nails, so it's always possible you've got a nail fungus. You'll see discoloration and odd markings if you do. If you don't see those, but still think you might have an infection, see your doctor quickly.

Thyroid Check Time

Sometimes peeling nails can be a sign of a thyroid problem. While chronic hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism could be in play, so can something called transient thyroiditis, which is a temporary viral infection that affects your thyroid. This goes away in a few weeks. However, if the problem seems to be getting worse or won't go away, then it's time to look at additional medical issues.

Check Your Iron Levels and Intake

Your iron levels could also be causing your nails to peel. Low iron levels, especially if you're at the point where you are anemic, are a big contributor to peeling, brittle nails. Talk to your doctor to find out whether you need an iron supplement or not.

Stop the Home Manicures and Go Professional

It is also possible that your home manicures are wreaking havoc on your nails. Polish, and especially badly formulated base coats, can leave nails dry and brittle when the polish is removed. Try getting a professional manicure, and let the manicurist know that you were having trouble with your polish leaving your nails in bad shape.

Peeling nails, as unappealing as they are, can be easy to handle. You just need to start checking for all these issues now because if you don't, the problem will only continue.

For more information, you will want to reach out to a company such as Tangles.