Ava Monroe
Nails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in hair and skin. They are protective plates found at the tips of fingers and toes, corresponding to claws in other animals. While nails are made of dead cells, they are linked to a rich vascular system in the fingertips. The visible part of the nail is dead and has no feeling, but a layer of skin underneath, called the dermis, contains sensory nerve endings. The pink colour of nails comes from the blood vessels underneath, and they can turn black when injured due to the blood spilled beneath. Nails grow continuously, with fingernails growing faster than toenails, and their growth rate is influenced by factors such as age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are nails made of? | Nails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin. |
| How do nails grow? | Nails start growing under the skin. As new cells grow, they push old ones through the skin. |
| Are nails dead? | Nails contain dead cells, but they are linked to a vascular system in the fingertips. |
| What causes nail problems? | Common causes of nail problems include injury, infection, and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. |
| How can you care for your nails? | It is important to keep nails clean, trim them regularly, and eat a nutritious diet. |
| How does nail growth vary? | Fingernails grow faster than toenails, and growth rate can be influenced by age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors. |
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What You'll Learn
- Nails are made of dead cells, but are linked to a vascular system
- They are made of a protein called keratin, which is also found in hair and skin
- Fingernails grow faster than toenails, and can regrow in six months
- Toenail problems are more common in older people and can be treated by a podiatrist
- Nails can become thickened, loosened, infected, or degenerated
Nails are made of dead cells, but are linked to a vascular system
Nails are made of dead cells, but they are linked to a vascular system. This means that while the nails themselves are not alive, they are connected to a network of blood vessels and capillaries that supply them with nutrients and give them their characteristic pinkish colour.
The nail plate, which is the hard, protective outer layer of the nail, is composed of dead cells that have hardened as they moved outward from the nail root. This process, known as keratinisation, involves cells multiplying within the base of the nail and then layering on top of each other to form the rigid structure of the nail plate. The nail plate is the part of the nail that can be seen and touched, and it is this layer that we trim or file when nails become too long.
Underneath the nail plate lies the nail bed, a pad of tissue that contains a rich supply of blood vessels and nerves. The nail bed is essential for nail growth, as it provides the necessary nutrients and oxygen to the developing nail. It also contributes to the pink colour of healthy nails, as the blood flowing through the underlying capillaries can be seen through the translucent nail plate.
While the nail plate is primarily composed of dead cells, it is important to note that the nail matrix, located beneath the nail bed, contains active tissue that generates new cells. The nail matrix, also known as the matrix unguis or keratogenous membrane, is responsible for producing the cells that become the nail plate. As new cells grow, they push older cells outward, causing the dead cells to be shed or trimmed.
The health of the vascular system connected to the nails is crucial for maintaining nail health. Certain medical conditions, such as peripheral cyanosis, can cause changes in the colour of the nail bed, indicating oxygen deprivation. Additionally, the appearance of the nails can provide valuable clues about a person's internal health, with yellow, brown, or green nails often signifying a fungal infection or an underlying condition such as thyroid disease, psoriasis, or diabetes.
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They are made of a protein called keratin, which is also found in hair and skin
Fingernails and toenails are made of a protein called keratin, which is also found in hair and skin. Keratin is a tough, rigid protein that forms the cells of hair and skin, as well as nails. The nail consists of the nail plate, the nail matrix, and the nail bed below it, with the nail matrix being the active tissue that generates cells. As new cells grow, they push old ones out through the skin, and the cells harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate. This process is called keratinisation.
Keratin is not technically skin, but it is found in the skin and hair, as well as in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. The nail root is located a couple of millimetres behind the cuticle of the finger and toenails. The nail bed, which is the pad of tissue below the nail, has a rich supply of blood vessels, which gives nails their pink colour.
While nails are made of dead keratin, they are not completely dead. They are connected to a richly vascular system in the fingertips and are linked to the blood and bones. Nails get nutrients from the blood and are influenced by the health of the bones in the skeleton. The part of the nail that can be seen is made up of dead cells, which is why cutting or filing nails does not hurt. However, a layer of skin under the nails, called the dermis, contains sensory nerve endings that send signals to the brain when pressure is applied to the nails.
The strength, thickness, and growth rate of nails are characteristics that are inherited from parents. Fingernails grow at an average rate of approximately 3.5 mm per month, while toenails grow at about half that rate, at around 1.6 mm per month. The actual growth rate of nails depends on various factors, including age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors.
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Fingernails grow faster than toenails, and can regrow in six months
Nails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. They support and protect the tips of our fingers and toes, and in the case of fingernails, they also help us to pick up objects, scratch an itch, or untie a knot.
Fingernails grow faster than toenails, with the average growth rate of a normal fingernail being between 0.5 and 1.2 mm per week, while the toenail growth rate is about half of that at an average of 1.6 mm per month. The nails on your dominant hand and your longer fingers tend to grow faster, and fingernails also grow faster during the day and in the summer. The actual growth rate of nails is influenced by various factors, including age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors.
If you lose a fingernail, it can take anywhere from three to six months to regrow completely. Toenails, on the other hand, take significantly longer, requiring twelve to eighteen months to fully regrow. This extended timeframe is due to toenails generally experiencing less trauma than fingernails, resulting in slower regeneration.
It is important to note that nail problems can affect people of all ages, and both fingernails and toenails can be susceptible to issues such as injury, infection, and skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis. Taking care of your nails through proper hygiene and nutrition can help maintain their overall health and influence their growth rate.
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Toenail problems are more common in older people and can be treated by a podiatrist
Toenail problems are more common in older people due to the natural ageing process. Nails thicken with age and become more brittle, which can lead to deformed growth. Toenails can also become ingrown, causing pain and swelling at the side of the toe. This can be treated by a podiatrist, who may perform a simple surgery called a partial nail avulsion under local anaesthesia.
As people age, their toenails tend to grow more slowly and undergo changes in colour and contour. They often turn a yellow-grey colour and can become opaque. Discolouration, thickening, and splitting are all common toenail issues in older people. Additionally, older people may find it challenging to cut their toenails due to mobility or flexibility issues.
Fungal infections, such as tinea, are another common toenail problem in older adults. These infections can cause flaking and pitting of the nail surface and are more prevalent in those with diabetes, circulation problems, or a compromised immune system. Toenail fungus can be treated by a podiatrist through debridement, trimming away thickened areas to relieve pain and improve the effectiveness of topical treatments. Oral antifungal medications or prescription-strength topical treatments may also be prescribed.
Other causes of toenail problems in older people include ill-fitting shoes, poor circulation, poor nerve supply, and trauma. Toenail issues can be successfully treated by a podiatrist through professional trimming, shaping, and nail care. Podiatrists can help diagnose and address serious nail problems, providing treatments such as removing the ingrown nail section or performing avulsion of the nail plate in severe cases of onychogryphosis.
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Nails can become thickened, loosened, infected, or degenerated
Nails are made of a protein called keratin, which is also found in skin and hair. They support and protect the tips of our fingers and toes. The part of the nail that we can see is made up of dead cells, which is why cutting them does not hurt. However, the layer of skin underneath the nails has sensory nerve endings, which is why we feel pressure when applied to our nails.
Nails can become loosened (onycholysis) due to various reasons, including trauma to the nail bed or cuticle area, irritation from water or chemicals, and certain medications. In some cases, the nail may completely detach from the nail bed and fall off. This can be a result of a staph infection, with bacteria entering through cuts, broken skin, or hangnails.
Infected nails can be caused by bacteria or fungi. Paronychia is a common bacterial nail infection that occurs when bacteria enter broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold. It can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail, as well as redness and warmth in the affected area. Fungal nail infections, on the other hand, can cause the nail to become discoloured, thickened, and distorted. They can be spread to other people and usually require antifungal medication for treatment.
Degenerated nails can be a result of vitamin deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin A, vitamin D, or calcium, which can cause dryness and brittleness. Nails can also degenerate due to nail-picking or frequent manicures or pedicures, which can cause minor trauma to the nail.
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Frequently asked questions
No, finger and toenails are not dead hair. Nails are made of dead keratin, a hard protein, whereas hair is made of keratin chains that are less compacted than in nails. Nails are protective plates found at the tips of the fingers and toes, and they support and protect the sensitive tips.
Finger nails and toe nails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. The part of the nails that can be seen consists of dead cells, which is why cutting them is painless.
Nails start growing under the skin, with new cells pushing old ones through the skin. The nail root or sinus is located a couple of millimeters behind the cuticle, and the nail grows outward from there over the nail bed. The cells harden as they move outward, forming the nail plate.
Common nail problems include injury, infection, and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Nails can also become thickened, loosened, infected with fungus, or degenerated. Toenail problems tend to be more common among older people and can be caused by trauma, ill-fitting shoes, poor circulation, poor nerve supply, and infection.
