Isla Bennett
Healthy nails are an indicator of overall good health. Nails start growing in the nail root, hidden under the cuticle. The nail matrix, which is where nail growth begins, is made up of two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. A healthy nail matrix is essential for healthy nails. While there are no scientifically proven methods to make nails grow faster, maintaining a healthy diet and practicing good nail hygiene can help strengthen nails and prevent them from breaking, allowing them to grow longer and stronger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average growth rate of fingernails | 3.47 millimeters per month or about a tenth of a millimeter per day |
| Average growth rate of toenails | It can take up to a year and a half for a toenail to completely grow back |
| Factors that affect nail growth rate | Which hand it is, age, hormone levels, and overall health |
| Nail appearance affected by | Nutritional deficiencies, diseases, and other underlying conditions |
| Nail health tips | Keep nails clean, trim them regularly, moisturize nails and cuticles, take biotin, use nail hardeners, and eat a balanced diet |
| Nail health supplements | Calcium, protein, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin D |
| Nail infections | Paronychia (redness and swelling around the nail), onycholysis (nail lifting up), Beau's lines (horizontal ridges), and nail discoloration |
| Nail matrix injuries | Bruising, ridges, or discoloration; in severe cases, the nail may fall off |
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What You'll Learn
Healthy diet for nail growth
Healthy nails are an indicator of a great diet and a healthy lifestyle. Nutrient deficiencies can affect the appearance of your nails. For instance, a deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in blue nails, bluish-black pigments with wavy longitudinal dark streaks, and brownish pigmentation. Therefore, consuming a variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients through food is the best way to improve and maintain nail health.
Firstly, consuming adequate protein is essential for boosting keratin production, creating strong nails, and preventing them from breaking. Nails are primarily made of a fibrous structural protein called keratin, which gives nails their strength and resilience. Animal proteins are a great way to consume adequate zinc, although certain plant foods also pack this mineral.
Secondly, biotin is crucial for strengthening brittle nails and improving their growth. Biotin is most concentrated in organ meats such as liver, but it can also be found in egg yolk, dairy products, yeast, salmon, avocado, sweet potato, nuts, seeds, and even cauliflower.
Thirdly, vitamin A is essential for strong, healthy, and accelerated nail growth. Vegetables that are orange or yellow in color, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and squash, tend to contain a higher concentration of beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A.
Additionally, vitamin D helps regulate calcium levels, which in turn aids in nail growth. Eggs are a good source of vitamin D, along with providing healthy fats and sulfur, which is essential for nail growth.
Finally, consuming enough magnesium is crucial to prevent vertical ridges in your nails. Dark green leafy vegetables, quinoa, almonds, cashews, peanuts, edamame, and black beans are good sources of magnesium.
While diet plays a significant role in nail health, it is important to note that other factors can affect nail growth, including injuries, certain health conditions, medications, and peripheral artery disease.
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Nail matrix injuries
The nail matrix is the area where your fingernails and toenails start to grow. It is responsible for nail growth and is located at the base of the nail. The nail matrix creates new cells that become your fingernails or toenails. A healthy nail matrix is essential for healthy nails.
After a nail matrix injury, it is important to seek medical attention, especially if symptoms such as severe pain, hematoma under the nail plate, or oozing pus are present. A procedure called nail trephination can be performed to drain trapped blood and provide pain relief, but it must be done within 48 hours of the injury.
In some cases, severe nail matrix damage may result in permanent nail loss or growth disorders. The speed of nail regrowth depends on the severity of the injury and the promptness of treatment. While fingernails can take up to six months to grow back, toenails can take up to a year and a half.
To promote nail health and prevent injuries, it is important to practice good nail hygiene, including keeping nails clean, trimmed, and moisturized.
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Nail infections
Healthy nails are a result of a healthy nail matrix. However, injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. In addition, bacterial and fungal infections can also cause nail problems.
Paronychia
Paronychia is a common nail infection that usually results from bacteria. It can develop when bacteria enter broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold, causing an infection. The cuticle is the skin at the base of the nail, and the nail fold is where the skin and nail meet. Anyone can get a bacterial nail infection, but it is more common among people who are exposed to irritants such as detergents and other chemicals. Bartenders, dishwashers, and other people with jobs that require wet hands are at a higher risk of developing paronychia.
Healthcare providers treat paronychia with antibiotics to kill the infection. Providers may also drain pus (a thick, infectious fluid that builds up around a wound). They may also culture the fluid to identify the specific bacteria causing the infection. Paronychia doesn't usually cause serious health problems, but in some cases, the infection may last a long time or recur after treatment.
Fungal Nail Infections
Fungal nail infections are caused by the same fungus that causes athlete's foot, which thrives in warm, dark, and moist places like the feet. These infections are more likely to occur if you walk barefoot in communal areas like showers and gyms. Fungal nail infections can cause the nail to become thick, discoloured, and brittle. Toenails are more commonly affected, but fingernails can also be impacted.
Fungal nail infections are treated with antifungal medicines that are brushed onto the nail. If pharmacy treatments are ineffective, a doctor may prescribe antifungal tablets. In severe cases, an infected nail may need to be removed under local anaesthesia.
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Nutrient deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies can have a significant impact on nail health, and changes in the nails can be indicative of underlying health issues. Nails are often described as a "map" to what's going on inside the body.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can cause nail brittleness, ridges, discolouration, and slow growth. Iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamins A, B, C, and E deficiencies are commonly associated with nail health issues. For example, iron deficiency is linked to Koilonychia, where nails become thin, spoon-shaped, and cracked. Zinc deficiency is associated with Beau's lines, which are horizontal ridges on the nails.
Additionally, iodine deficiency may cause nail clubbing, which can indicate more serious health issues like lung and heart problems. The concentration of certain nutrients in the nail plate can reflect their levels in the body. For instance, increased sodium and calcium concentrations and decreased magnesium concentrations have been observed in the nails of children with kwashiorkor.
Treating nutritional deficiencies often involves consuming nutrient-rich whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. In some cases, doctors may recommend vitamin and mineral supplements, such as biotin, to improve nail health. However, it is important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause of any nail changes and receive appropriate guidance.
While nutritional deficiencies can impact nail health, other factors, such as injuries, moisture exposure, and genetics, also play a role in nail growth and appearance.
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Nail care tips
Healthy nails are made of keratin, a type of protein. When your body is low on keratin, your nails become weak and brittle. Nails made of strong keratin are firm and uniform in appearance.
To ensure your body has enough keratin, eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. Include the following in your diet:
- Biotin: Found in eggs, almonds, and avocados, biotin promotes nail growth and strength.
- Vitamin E: This antioxidant, found in spinach and nuts, helps repair damaged nails.
- Iron: Essential for preventing brittle nails, iron can be found in red meat, lentils, and leafy greens.
Additionally, here are some nail care tips to keep your nails healthy and strong:
- Keep your nails clean. Trim your nails regularly, ideally once every week or every two weeks.
- Take care of your cuticles to minimize hangnails. Push them back once a week after you shower when the skin is soft, using a wooden orange stick. Finish by massaging your cuticles and nails with a cuticle oil or treatment.
- Avoid biting your nails or pulling hangnails, as this could damage your nails and irritate the surrounding skin.
- Keep your nails moisturized.
- If you paint your nails, don't skip the base coat. It shields your nails from being stained by the polish.
- Disinfect your nail tools between uses to keep your nails infection-free. Wash metal tools with soap and water and then wipe them down with rubbing alcohol.
- If you expose your nails to water or wet conditions frequently, wear gloves to protect them.
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Frequently asked questions
Fingernails grow at an average rate of 3.47 millimeters per month, or about a tenth of a millimeter per day. It can take up to six months for a lost fingernail to completely regrow. Toenails grow slower and can take up to a year and a half to fully regrow.
Several factors can influence nail growth, including age, hormone levels, genetics, overall health, and nutrition.
Changes in nail appearance, such as discoloration, ridges, grooves, or lifting, could indicate an underlying issue. Seek medical advice if you notice any unusual symptoms or persistent changes.
Maintaining nail hygiene, such as keeping nails clean and trimmed, is essential for nail health. A balanced diet that includes protein, fruits and vegetables, and essential vitamins and minerals, can also support nail growth.
Minor nail injuries may heal with proper care, and the nail should start to grow again. However, severe injuries or infections may require medical attention, especially if the nail matrix is damaged, as it may affect nail regrowth.
