Caleb Foster
Human nails are protective plates found at the tip of the fingers and toes, corresponding to the claws in other animals. They are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in hair and skin. Nails grow from a deep groove in the dermis of the skin, with new cells pushing old ones through the skin. The growth occurs at the nail's base, where specialised cells are produced and pushed forward as new cells form. The rate of nail growth can vary depending on factors such as age, health, nutrition, and hormone levels. Certain health conditions and injuries can also affect nail growth and appearance, indicating overall health and nutritional status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail growth rate | On average, a healthy person's fingernails grow about 3 to 3.5 mm per month or 0.1 mm per day |
| Toenail growth rate | 1.62 mm per month |
| Factors affecting growth rate | Which hand/foot it is, which finger it is, age, hormone levels, overall health, nutrition, trauma, and season |
| Nail composition | Alpha-keratin, a tough rigid polymer also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates |
| Nail structure | The nail, the underlying structure that supports nail growth, and the skin tissue that surrounds it |
| Nail parts | Nail plate, nail matrix, nail bed, and grooves |
| Nail bed | Contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin |
| Nail matrix | The "factory" where the body makes new nails; contains special cells that produce 196 layers of cells that combine to make each nail |
| Nail health | Nail changes can indicate nutritional deficiencies, medical conditions, or stress |
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What You'll Learn
Fingernails grow faster than toenails
Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin. The structure of nails is divided into three main parts: the nail itself, the underlying structure that supports nail growth, and the skin tissue that surrounds it. Nails are constantly growing, but their growth rate slows down due to poor circulation and aging. The rate of growth also varies between fingers and toes, and even between different fingers.
Fingernails grow at an average rate of about 3.47 mm per month, or about a tenth of a millimeter per day. Toenails, on the other hand, grow much slower, at an average rate of 1.62 mm per month. If you lose a toenail, it can take up to a year and a half for it to completely grow back, while a lost fingernail will usually take only six months.
There are several factors that influence the growth rate of nails. One factor is the amount of blood flowing through the digit. Since the hands are closer to the heart than the feet, more blood flows through the fingers, resulting in longer fingernails. Nails also tend to grow slower in cold weather when blood flow is restricted.
Another factor is "terminal trauma," which suggests that the more a digit is used, the quicker the nail grows. This is because the body assumes that the fingernails are being worn down by constant use, so it compensates by increasing the growth rate. Toenails, on the other hand, are generally protected by shoes and are subject to less trauma, resulting in slower growth.
Additionally, the nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster because they are used more frequently, increasing the risk of trauma. Hormone levels can also affect nail growth rates, with changes observed during pregnancy, lactation, and puberty.
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Nail growth and nutrition
Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in vertebrate claws, hooves, and horns. The nail consists of the nail plate, the nail matrix, and the nail bed below it, and the grooves surrounding it. The nail matrix is the active tissue that generates cells, which harden as they move outward from the nail root to the nail plate. The nail bed contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin. As the root grows, the nail thickens.
Nails are constantly growing, but their growth rate slows down due to poor circulation and aging. The rate of growth also varies between fingers and toes, and even between different fingers. On average, a healthy person's fingernails grow about 3 to 3.5 millimeters per month, while toenails grow at an average rate of 1.62 millimeters per month. The nails on the dominant hand grow faster, as do the nails on the longer fingers. Fingernails also grow faster during the day and in the summer.
Nutrition plays a crucial role in nail health and growth. Nutrient deficiencies may affect the appearance of nails, causing dryness, brittleness, discolouration, and ridges. Here are some key nutrients that contribute to nail health:
- Biotin: A deficiency in biotin is rare, but consuming it through foods or supplements may help strengthen brittle nails and improve their growth.
- Vitamin B12: Insufficient vitamin B12 can lead to excessive dryness, darkened nails, and curved nail ends. It also plays a role in iron absorption and red blood cell production.
- Folate (Vitamin B9): Folate contributes to red blood cell formation and the development of new cells. A deficiency can cause a pigment change and make nails brittle.
- Iron: Iron is crucial for the production of hemoglobin, which helps deliver oxygen to nail cells. Low iron levels can lead to brittle, ridged, or spoon-shaped nails.
- Zinc: Zinc is required for nail growth and repair. A deficiency can cause white spots on the nails and slow down their growth.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is essential for collagen production, which provides strength and structure to nails. It also aids in the absorption of iron from plant-based foods.
- Magnesium: Adequate magnesium intake is crucial for nail growth as it is involved in protein synthesis and the formation of new nails. A deficiency can cause vertical ridges in the nails.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids help keep nails moisturized and prevent dryness and brittleness.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects nails from damage and improves blood circulation, supporting nail growth.
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Nail colour and health
The colour of your nails can be indicative of your overall health. Healthy nails are generally smooth, spotless, and without discolouration. They can vary from person to person, but they usually have a light pink, mauve or purple colour.
Changes in nail colour, texture, or shape can point to an underlying health concern. For instance, white nails, or leukonychia, could be the result of trauma, anaemia, dietary deficiencies, heart or kidney disease, poisoning, or liver problems such as hepatitis. Yellow nails are often a sign of a fungal infection, while bluish nails can indicate a lack of oxygen in the body. Very pale nails may be indicative of illnesses such as anaemia, congestive heart failure, or liver disease, and can also be caused by poor nutrition.
Nail abnormalities are rarely the first sign of an underlying health issue, and many changes are harmless. However, if you notice concerning changes in your nails, it is important to consult a dermatologist or healthcare provider.
In addition to colour, the growth rate and texture of your nails can also provide clues about your health. Healthy nails usually have a gentle curve and a smooth surface. Vertical ridges are common and typically harmless, but horizontal ridges, known as Beau's lines, indicate a pause in nail growth and could be related to health issues such as high fever, vitamin deficiency, injury, diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease.
The rate of nail growth can be influenced by various factors, including age, hand dominance, finger length, hormone levels, and overall health. Nails tend to grow faster during the day and in the summer, and they may grow more rapidly during pregnancy due to increased blood flow and nutrients in the body.
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Nail trauma and repair
Trauma to the nail can occur in several ways, including when the nail is cut, torn, smashed, or bruised, or when the nail is torn away from the nail bed. Smashing a finger in a door, hitting it with a hammer or another heavy object, or cutting it with a knife or another sharp object can cause a nail injury.
If the bone is broken or the bruise is very large, the nail may need to be removed, and the nail bed repaired. Part or all of the nail may be removed. Cuts in the nail bed will be closed with stitches. The nail will be reattached with a special glue or stitches. If the nail cannot be reattached, a doctor may replace it with a special type of material. This will remain on the nail bed as it heals. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection. If there is a broken bone, a wire may be placed in the finger to keep the bone in place.
A subungual hematoma looks like a bruise and occurs when small blood vessels under the nail bed leak, causing blood to pool between the nail and the nail bed. This usually occurs when the tips of the fingers or toes have been crushed or subjected to heavy impact. Doctors may treat a severe subungual hematoma by making a small hole in the nail and draining the pooling blood, a procedure known as trephination. If the nail is damaged, doctors may remove it and repair the nail bed.
A nail bed avulsion involves the nail and part of the nail bed pulling away from the rest of the nail bed, either partially or entirely. This typically results from the nail being crushed or sustaining a high-impact injury.
If you lose a toenail, it can take up to a year and a half for it to completely grow back. That’s three times as long as it would take a fingernail to regrow. This is because toenails are generally subjected to less trauma than fingernails.
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Nail structure and growth
The structure of a nail is divided into three main parts: the nail itself, the underlying structure that supports nail growth, and the skin tissue that surrounds it. The nail plate, also known as the nail body, is the visible hard nail area from the nail root to the free edge. It is made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, which is also found in hair, skin, and the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates. The nail plate is the actual fingernail and is the hardest and most visible part of the nail. Its transverse shape is determined by the form of the underlying bone.
The nail matrix is the structure at the base of the nail plate from which new nail cells grow. It is also known as the matrix unguis, keratogenous membrane, or onychostroma. 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 nail bed is the soft tissue and skin underneath the nail plate that helps support healthy nail growth. It contains blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes that produce melanin. As the root grows, the nail adds material to the underside, making it thicker. The nail bed contains 80% of the nail, which determines its length, while the remaining 20% comes from the nail bed, which determines its thickness.
Nail growth can be affected by various factors, including age, nutrition, hormone levels, overall health, and the dominant hand, which tends to grow faster. Toenails grow much slower than fingernails, and their growth rate can be three times slower. On average, a healthy person's fingernails grow about 3 to 3.5 millimeters per month, while toenails grow at 1.62 millimeters per month. Nails can also become thickened (onychogryphosis), loosened (onycholysis), infected with fungus (onychomycosis), or degenerate (onychodystrophy).
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Frequently asked questions
On average, a healthy person's fingernails grow about 3 to 3.5 mm per month, while toenails grow at an average rate of 1.62 mm per month. Nails on the dominant hand grow faster, and the rate of growth also varies between fingers.
Nails are made of a tough, rigid protein called alpha-keratin, a polymer also found in the claws, hooves, and horns of vertebrates.
Horizontal lines known as "Beau's lines" are usually a natural consequence of aging, although they may also result from disease, nutrient deficiencies, or local injury.
Changes in nail colour can be caused by poor nutrition, medical conditions, or medications. For example, chemotherapy can cause Mees' lines (white bands across the nails) and nail colour changes.
While there are no scientifically proven methods to make nails grow faster, maintaining good nail hygiene, taking breaks from using nail polish or having artificial nails, and practising proper nail grooming techniques can help keep nails healthy and strong.
