What Does Skin Peeling Around Your Nails Mean & How Can You Stop It?

Nothing destroys your dream manicure like peeling skin. Even if you have out-of-this-world galaxy nails, the look will fall flat if the skin around them is dry and flaking. And more importantly, peeling skin around the nails can be itchy, uncomfortable, and even painful if you pick at it.

This unsightly condition can come down to myriad factors, including ones easy to control and ones a little harder to prevent. Washing or sanitizing your hands too much and coming into contact with irritating substances, such as cleaning chemicals, can dehydrate the fragile skin in this area, but luckily, putting a stop to peeling can be as simple as avoiding these things. Other times, peeling skin and cuticles may be due to underlying conditions, including skin disorders and allergic reactions, and you'll need to address those to treat the issue. But while you're getting to the root of the problem, most cases of peeling skin around the nails can be dealt with the same way you'd combat dry skin elsewhere on the hands. All it takes is a little cuticle cream or oil and a trusty hand cream.

Peeling skin around the nails can mean that your lifestyle — at least regarding your hand and nail routine — could use a rejig. One of the most common causes is an overload of hand-washing in hot water and alcohol-based sanitizer, which can be incredibly drying for the delicate skin around your nails. Along with harsh sanitizer, many other things the hands frequently come into contact with could be drying out your skin, including nail polishes or nail glue, nail polish remover (especially if formulated with acetone), and dishwashing liquid. Your environment can even play a part, as dry weather can lead to chapped skin, including around the nails.

If the peeling isn't down to your lifestyle, it could be caused by an underlying condition, such as an allergic reaction to something you've touched or a skin disorder. Eczema and psoriasis are among the leading conditions that cause peeling. "Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition which can cause redness, scaling and cracking of skin around the fingers even in and around the nails," dermatologist Dr. Nivedita Dadu told the Hindustan Times, adding, "Chronic eczema, atopic dermatitis and pompholyx are other skin conditions which can lead to dryness and skin changes." 

In some cases, picking at peeling skin can break open the skin barrier and lead to infection, increasing the peeling. It's important to understand the reason for the issue so you can stop it from occurring again, but regardless of the cause, treatments are generally simple and non-invasive.

One of the most effective treatments for dry, peeling skin around the nails is cuticle cream or cuticle oil, even if the peeling extends beyond the cuticle itself. Cuticle creams are often infused with vitamins that moisturize nail beds and the surrounding skin. Just take a dollop and rub it into the area. Cuticle oil offers similar benefits, but it's a greasier-feeling product, so you'll only need a tiny amount, which is usually applied with a brush. The best time to do it is when you won't be using your hands — and therefore rubbing the product off — so before bed is ideal. Most products can be used daily, but read the packaging for specific directions. Moisturizing hand cream can also soothe peeling skin around the nails. In terms of ingredients, look out for emollients like shea butter, lanolin, and glycerin in addition to one of the most powerful humectants: hyaluronic acid.

If you don't address the reason why your skin started peeling in the first place, creams, oils, and moisturizers will just act as a Band-Aid until the problem occurs again. You can work out if you've had an allergic reaction or contact irritation through a process of elimination, while more serious skin disorders can be managed with a plan from your doctor. It may be that you'll have to switch to an alcohol-free sanitizer, start hand-washing in cooler water, or find a nail salon that uses less inflammatory products. But most of the time, peeling skin around the nails is a relatively simple problem to solve.