Question
My daughter has a nail peeling half way up from her cuticle it is not bleeding it does not seem to be all the through to the bottom she says it dose not hurt,it looks normal I don't know what to do.Also she is on a swim team but she has not been there in 2 weeks so I don't know if this might have something to do with it also.Thanks Kilsmom

Answer
If she is on a swim team you can prepare yourself for green hair, bleached out body hair, split and peeling nails. All due to overexposure to water and chlorine.

When the nails are wet for more than three minutes, the interconnecting bonds between the nail plate cells stretch beyond their limit to contract back to 'normal'. With each subsequent exposure some of the bands will break entirely and the result is split and peeling nail plate layers.

You can help this by applying a good quality nail and cuticle oil to help 'heal' the bonds. You can get Botanical Oil in the nail department of Sally Beauty Supply, or Solar Oil in fine nail salons or in Ulta Cosmetic outlets nationwide. Apply at least twice daily and massage into the nails and cuticles. Always apply after she gets our of the water and washes her hands to get rid of as much of the chlorine as possible.

Nails are VERY porous and will absorb just about everything they come in contact with.