Question
My child’s nails have started to peel off from the bottom, and now half of the nail plate is without nails. Although I have been supplementing vitamins and calcium tablets recently, the nail plate seems to be peeling off more each day. What could be the cause?
Answer
If a child’s nails start to peel off without any other obvious cause, the most common reason is a deficiency in trace elements, particularly calcium and zinc. It is advisable to take your child to the hospital for a check-up on trace element levels as soon as possible to supplement the deficient nutrients. In terms of diet, you can encourage your child to eat more zinc-rich foods such as animal liver, seaweed, nori, and dried seaweed. Also, make sure to get enough calcium by eating more meat, eggs, dairy products, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, ensure your child drinks plenty of water, gets adequate rest, and has appropriate sun exposure to help improve the nail peeling issue.