1
Like your hair, your nails are an outgrowth of your skin. Cells at the base your nail continuously multiply, which is why your nails grow. The cells that form your nails are filled with a protein called keratin, which imparts your nails with their strength. Your nails protect the nerve-rich tips of your fingers and toes. Nails often tell a story, offering insight into your state of health. Healthy nails typically indicate good health; nail abnormalities are often a tip-off to medical problems.
NAIL ANATOMY
The hard portion of your nail is called the nail plate, which sits atop the nail bed. Although the cells of your nail plates are dead, those underneath are alive. Healthy nail beds are pink, a reflection of a rich blood supply. The nail matrix produces the cells that become the nail plate. The skin surrounding the nail plate is called the nail fold. The cuticle is a layer of dead skin cells that adheres to the nail plate; the tight seal between the cuticle and nail plate provides a barrier against infection.
GROWTH
Your fingernails grow at an average rate of approximately 0.7 millimeters each week, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Your toenails grow more slowly at a rate of roughly 1.0 millimeters per month. Nail growth rates vary from one person to another and usually decrease with age. Your nails grow more rapidly during the summer months than in the winter, and men's nails typically grow faster than do women's nails. Nutritional status, circulatory health and other factors affect your nail growth rate.
BRITTLE NAILS
Brittle nails usually indicate thinning of the nail plate or generalized skin dryness. Aging commonly causes brittle nails. Possible medical causes of brittle nails include iron deficiency anemia, abnormal thyroid hormone levels, psoriasis, poor circulation and malnutrition. Frequent exposure to detergents, chlorine, soap and other chemicals can also cause dry, brittle nails. Wearing protective gloves may help correct brittle nails caused by chemical exposure.
DISCOLORATION
Cigarettes smoke, nail polish and hair dyes can discolor the nails. Fungal and bacterial nail infections can also cause discoloration. White spots in your nails usually develop because of a minor injury that causes loosening of the nail plate in the affected area. A bruise in the nail bed causes dark brown discoloration at the site of the injury. A persistent dark spot in the nail that is unrelated to an injury may signal melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
RIDGES
Nail ridges can be vertical or horizontal. Vertical nail ridges are common and usually become more prominent as you age. In some cases, vertical ridges may indicate poor nutrition or iron deficiency. Horizontal ridges that form a depression across the nail are called Beau's lines. Possible causes of Beau's lines include malnutrition, a serious illness or infection, or recent major surgery.
TIPS FOR HEALTHY NAILS
A nutritious diet with adequate amounts of protein, vitamins and minerals will help keep your nails healthy. Use a nail brush and soap to clean the area between the free-hanging portion of your nail plates and fingertips. Limit your use of nail polish remover, which can dry your nails and cuticles. Watch for signs of nail infection, including redness, pain and pus. The use of artificial nails may contribute to the development of a fungal infection of the fingernails. Be careful when using new nail products; some can cause rashes on the fingers.
Member Comments