My Daughter's Fingernails Are "Peeling".....

Have her tested for anemia. Borderline low iron levels will cause weak nails and a host of other health problems.

This was my problem. I have Celiac's Disease which causes poor iron absorption and many other issues. I always had weak nails and bad hair. I started a gf diet and taking an iron suppliment daily and now my nails are hard and my hair is shiny.

http://www.celiac.org/cd-main.php

I'm a licensed nail technician, maybe I can help.

First - fingernail issues are very similar to hair - they can show a lot about your body. You want to be sure that she is getting adequate nutrition - well balanced meals, and not a lot of junk. Not saying that she's not, but, diet is a huge factor in the health of your nails and hair and this should be addressed first before additional chemicals added for change.

Second - Polish always breaks down your nails, especially if you're not using a base coat. It is a chemical, and therefore will have affects. Nail brand polishes, however, will do this less often as they are better quality. I prefer Creative Nail.

Third - When your nails are too moisturized, they often peel. Depending on the brand of your polish, this can affect the nails more and cause this. Higher quality brands, like Creative, do not do this as bad, but, you still need to use a base coat to further protect the nail. Be careful with strengtheners as many of these contain formaldehyde - make sure you're getting one w/o this in it. It's not healthy for an adult, let alone a child. Too much strengthener will cause them to become brittle, however (as will them being too dry).

Fourth - Be sure before applying any polish that the nail is well manicured. Push the cuticles back gently - and if you're cutting any cuticle away, it should only be the dead loose cuticle from the nail bed. Completely clean and dry the nail plate before applying any polish... You can do this with rubbing alcohol. Apply a base coat, to enamel coats, and one top coat. Let these dry in between, and dry for at least 60 seconds after the last coat. Then apply a cuticle oil - this can be as simple as Olive Oil or Vegitable Oil.

Check this out if you're interested in more information:
http://healthynails.onlineclasses.com

I also have nails that split and peel. I've used naitique protein polish with great success. It is a little expensive, but the bottle lasts a long time. I got it at Ulta, and there is a second brand Nailtek that is a little less that may work for her as well. Best of luck.

I agree that you should get it checked out with your ped. On another note, I would recommend getting your nail polish at a Whole Foods or a market like that. The nail polishes that are generally on the market have all kinds of harmful, cancer causing chemicals. The ones at Whole Foods, etc... are phthalate and formaldehyde-free, etc... I think Revlon also makes a line that is phthalate and formaldehyde-free, but you'd have to research online to find out which one it is. Good luck.

Anytime this has happened to me, it's ususally due to the fact that I bite them constantly! Do you think she is biting her nails?
The only time I've ever grown pretty nails is while on prenatal vitamins. Ask your doctor if she can take a multi-vitamin.
When I was preparing for my wedding, I found a great nail strengthen product, but I would hesitate to use those types of products on a child. Some of them contain formaldehyde (think embalming fluid) and I wouldn't use that a little one.
Good luck!

M. C,it COULD be fungal,but on the dietary side(I did some research for you )it could be a biotin(b-vit,I think),sulfur or b-vit problem.Suggested was a supplement along with raw fruits and veggies....S. L.

This could be a sign of low iron. Take her and have it checked vs. just supplementing her. Many of the kid vitamins don't contain Iron because it's dangerous if the kids get too much.

Be sure she is getting enough Vitamin E and Calcium.

I agree with the people who are saying it's probably due to a vitamin deficiency. I had peeling nails when I was a kid, and that is what my mother told me. I don't know if she changed my diet or added a vitamin, but it went away. Good luck!

Believe it or not, peeling fingernails should probably get a look-see from your pediatrician. It can be a sign of a fungal infection, vitamin deficiencies or anemia...worth getting checked out. Use of lots of nail polish can dry out nails and cause peeling too. Foods with B vitamins can help strengthen the nail bed. Jello also strengthens nails.

You should not be using finger nail polish at all on her nails if they are peeling. It has formeldehyde in it. (used for embalming) There are kinds without that. Go on line and look for safe nail products for children. I ordered my grands play makeup, but can not remember the link. I am with Melaleuca so I really care about those kinds of reactions. - Then again everyone does, uh?
J.

Hi M., do you give her a daily vitamin?

M., I have two thoughts. First, are her nails peeling after she has worn pearlized/frosted polish? It makes my nails split and peel. My grandmother was the same way. We do better without polish on our nails. If it's not due to a reaction to nail polish, then I would ask her pediatrician. Sometimes nail problems can be due to lack of certain vitamins. S.