Question
About a week ago, I noticed that my child’s nails were peeling off from the bottom, one by one. Now half of the nail bed is without nails. These days, I’ve also been giving them vitamin supplements and calcium tablets, but it seems like the nail beds are peeling off more and more every day. What could be the reason?
Answer
If there are no other causes, the most common reason for a child’s nails to peel off is a deficiency of trace elements, particularly calcium and zinc. It is recommended to go to the hospital for a trace element test as soon as possible and promptly supplement the lacking nutrients. It is advised to eat more foods rich in zinc, such as animal liver, kelp, nori, and seaweed, and increase calcium intake. In daily life, it is recommended to eat more meat, eggs, milk, fresh vegetables, and fruits. It is also suggested to give children more hot water to drink, pay more attention to rest, and go out to bask in the sun appropriately.