Liam Carter
The health and appearance of your nails can indicate your overall health. Nails are made of a tough rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. They are protective plates found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of primates, corresponding to the claws in other tetrapod animals. The shape of the fingertip bone determines the width and thickness of the nail plate. The nail plate, or body, is the hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge, and is made of translucent keratin protein. The lunula, or small moon, is the whitish crescent-shaped base of the visible nail. It is most visible in the thumb and may not be visible in the little finger. The health of your nails can be indicative of underlying health conditions, such as lung cancer, lung infections, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, and cardiovascular diseases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are nails made of? | A tough rigid protein called alpha-keratin |
| What is the purpose of nails? | To protect the tips of fingers and toes |
| What is the nail plate? | The visible hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge |
| What is the nail matrix? | The active tissue that generates cells |
| What is the lunula? | The whitish crescent-shaped base of the visible nail |
| What is the hyponychium? | The epithelium located beneath the nail plate at the junction between the free edge and the skin of the fingertip |
| What is the onychodermal band? | The seal between the nail plate and the hyponychium |
| What is the Lovibond angle? | A slight dent at the base of the nail |
| What is nail clubbing? | Nails appearing wider, spongy, or swollen |
| What does nail clubbing indicate? | An underlying health condition such as lung cancer, lung infections, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis, etc. |
| What is the W/L ratio of fingernails? | The ratio of the width of the fingernail to its length |
| How is the width of a fingernail defined? | The greatest transverse distance between the two lowest points of the fingernail in the lateral nail groove |
| How is the length of a fingernail defined? | The greatest longitudinal length between the tip of the finger and the groove at the junction of the proximal nail fold and eponychium |
| What is the fingernail curvature? | The radius of a circle whose curve approximates that of the fingernail plate |
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What You'll Learn
Nail abnormalities and health
The health of your nails can be a window into your overall health. Healthy nails are smooth and have a consistent colour. Nail abnormalities can result from injuries to the fingers and hands, viral warts, infections, some medications, or certain medical conditions.
Nail abnormalities can come in many forms, and they can affect the colour, shape, texture, or thickness of the nails. For example, nonuniform white spots or lines on the nail, called leukonychia, are usually the result of minor trauma and are harmless. However, sometimes leukonychia is associated with poor health or nutritional deficiencies, and it can be a sign of arsenic poisoning. Pitting, or small depressions in the nail, is common in people with psoriasis, a skin condition that causes dry, red, and irritated skin.
Yellow nail syndrome is another example of a nail abnormality, where the nails get thicker and don't grow as fast as normal. In some cases, the nail may lack a cuticle or pull away from the nail bed. Nail clubbing is another abnormality where the nails appear wider, spongier, or swollen, like an upside-down spoon. Nail clubbing is often associated with diseases of the heart and lungs, like lung cancer, lung infections, interstitial lung disease, and cystic fibrosis.
It is important to note that nail abnormalities are usually not the first signs of a health condition but one of many symptoms. If you notice any nail changes, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider to determine the reason behind the abnormality and receive appropriate treatment.
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Fingernail configuration
The nail apparatus consists of the nail, nail fold, nail bed (germinal and sterile matrices), and hyponychium. The nail plate, also known as the nail body, is the visible hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge, made of translucent keratin protein. The nail matrix is the active tissue (or germinal matrix) that generates cells. The cells harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate. The lunula is the whitish crescent-shaped base of the visible nail, which is best seen in the thumb. The lunula appears white due to the reflection of light where the nail matrix and nail bed meet.
The health and appearance of your nails can provide clues about your overall health. A number of conditions can alter fingernail configuration. Fingernail curvature can be altered by systemic disorders or disorders of the fingernail itself. Transverse overcurvature of the fingernail is associated with local and systemic disorders. Transverse overcurvature can be observed in patients with onychomatricoma, subungual myxoid cysts, median rhomboid glossitis, and systemic sclerosis. Nail clubbing, where nails appear wider and spongy or swollen, can indicate lung cancer, lung infections, interstitial lung disease, or cystic fibrosis.
Quantitative data on fingernail configuration can be used as a reference range for diagnosing various diseases and deformities of the fingernail, and for performing reconstructive or aesthetic fingernail surgery. Studies have investigated the influence of age, sex, height, and handedness on the fingernail W/L ratio and transverse fingernail curvature. Results show that in women, fingernail W/L ratios were similar across all five fingers and lower than those in men. The radius of transverse fingernail curvature increased with age, indicating that fingernails tend to flatten with age.
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Nail clubbing
In the early stages of nail clubbing, the nail and nail bed appear flat when viewed from the side. One of the signs of nail clubbing is the "floating nail", where the nail root separates from the bone and feels springy or like it is floating on a cushion. Another sign is the Lovibond angle sign, where the fingernail, when viewed from the side, should have a slight upward curve as it grows toward the fingertip. In the early stages of nail clubbing, this curve is absent, and the nail appears flat.
While nail clubbing itself is not harmful or painful, it is crucial to seek medical evaluation as it can indicate a more serious health condition that requires treatment. Treating the underlying cause of nail clubbing may help nails return to normal, although it is not always reversible.
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Fingernail growth
Fingernails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. The nail plate, or nail body, is the visible hard nail area from the root to the free edge. The nail plate is made of several layers of dead, compacted cells that give it strength and flexibility. The shape of the nail plate is determined by the form of the underlying bone.
Fingernails grow at an average rate of around 3.47 mm per month, which is faster than the growth rate of toenails (1.62 mm/month). The little fingernail grows slower than other fingernails, while the great toenail grows faster than the other toenails. It takes about three to six months for fingernails to regrow completely, while toenails take 12 to 18 months. This difference in growth rate is because toenails are generally subjected to less trauma than fingernails, which stimulates circulation in the nail bed and promotes nail growth.
There is no proven way to make nails grow faster, but there are various remedies and dietary tips that can strengthen nails and prevent breakage, giving them the best chance for healthy growth. For example, gentle massage can promote circulation to the nails, which is beneficial for people with diabetes or other circulatory issues. Additionally, good nail grooming can discourage biting and picking, which can impact nail growth.
Nail clubbing, where nails appear wider, spongy, or swollen, can be a sign of an underlying health condition. It is often associated with diseases of the heart and lungs, such as lung cancer, lung infections, and cystic fibrosis. Treating the underlying condition may help nails return to normal, but nail clubbing is not always reversible.
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Nail biting
It is often an automatic response to boredom, stress, anxiety, or insecurity. It can also be a sign of a more serious psychological or emotional problem, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, or separation anxiety disorder. The earliest reference to nail-biting as a symptom of anxiety was in 16th-century France.
There are several ways to stop biting your nails. One method is to keep nails trimmed short, so there is less nail to bite. Bitter-tasting nail polishes are available to discourage biting. Painting nails or getting a manicure may also help, as people are less likely to bite their nails if they look nice. Covering the nails with tape or wearing gloves can also prevent biting.
It is also important to identify triggers for nail biting. These could be physical triggers, such as hangnails, or emotional triggers, such as boredom or stress. Once these triggers are identified, steps can be taken to avoid them. It may also help to replace the habit with a good one, such as playing with a stress ball or fidget toy, or chewing gum.
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Frequently asked questions
Fingernails are protective plates found at the tip of the digits (fingers and toes) of primates. They are made of a tough rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates.
The width and thickness of the nail plate are determined by the size, length, and thickness of the nail matrix. The shape of the fingernail is determined by the form of the underlying fingertip bone. Handedness, age, and gender can also influence fingernail size and shape.
Some common fingernail problems include ingrown nails, nail injuries, nail deformities, and hangnails. Ingrown nails occur when the nail curves down and into the skin, causing pain and sometimes infection. Nail injuries can result from dropping objects on the nails or catching fingers in drawers, which may cause the nail to fall off. Nail deformities can be caused by nail-biting or picking, or underlying illnesses. Hangnails are loose strips of dead skin that hang from the edge of a fingernail and can be painful if pulled off.
Yes, the health and appearance of your fingernails can provide insights into your overall health. Certain nail abnormalities, such as nail clubbing (widened and swollen nails), can indicate underlying health conditions. For example, nail clubbing is often associated with heart and lung diseases, including lung cancer and cystic fibrosis. Changes in nail color, such as white nails (leukonychia) or yellow nails, can also signal various health issues, ranging from dietary deficiencies to more severe conditions like liver problems or thyroid disease.
