Sophia Delgado
Our nails are made up of three main parts: the nail itself, the underlying structure that supports nail growth, and the skin tissue that surrounds it. The nail matrix, or germinal matrix, is responsible for most of a nail's growth. It's where new cells grow and then move forward to form the nail. When the nail grows properly, the nail bed is smooth, but if the nail doesn't grow correctly, the nail may split or develop ridges. Several factors can affect nail growth, including injuries, illnesses, and certain health conditions. For example, a serious illness or injury can cause nail loss, and conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can interfere with nail growth. Additionally, changes in nail colour, texture, or shape can indicate an underlying health issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Growth rate | Growth rate varies between fingers and toes and even between different fingers. |
| Growth factors | Circulation, aging, fever, injury, chemotherapy, and major stress can affect growth rate. |
| Growth disruptions | Injuries, illnesses, and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and disrupt growth. |
| Appearance | Nails are constantly growing, but they may exhibit changes in color, texture, or shape, which can be harmless or indicative of an underlying disease. |
| Nail matrix | The nail matrix is the "factory" where new nails are created, and it is composed of the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. |
| Germinal matrix | Responsible for 90% of nail growth, creating new cells that become nails. |
| Sterile matrix | Responsible for the remaining 10% of nail cells, primarily maintaining nail attachment to the skin. |
| Nail bed | Extends from the edge of the nail root to the hyponychium tissue, containing blood vessels, nerves, and melanocytes producing melanin. |
| Nail lifting | Onycholysis refers to the lifting of the nail from the nail bed, appearing white or yellow and caused by various factors such as injury, psoriasis, fungal infection, or medication. |
| Nail infections | Simple fungal infections are common, while melanoma cancer can occur due to melanocyte growth in the nail bed. |
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What You'll Learn
Nail growth can be affected by illnesses, injuries, and medication
A new nail growing in will typically take about two months to regrow in the case of fingernails and four months for toenails. However, this process can be affected by illnesses, injuries, and medication.
Illnesses such as severe eczema and psoriasis can affect your nail matrix and temporarily slow down nail growth. For instance, nail psoriasis can cause white lines, pitting, and crumbling of the nails. In addition, certain illnesses can cause colour changes in your nails. For example, lung disease and rheumatoid arthritis can cause yellow nails, while subungual melanoma, a type of skin cancer, can cause brown or black discolouration.
Injuries to the nail matrix, the tissue inside the cuticle where new nails are formed, can also affect nail growth. This can be caused by pinching or crushing your finger or dropping something heavy on your toe. Nail trauma can result in blood under the nail, known as subungual hematoma, or the nail may be accidentally torn, split, or lifted away from the nail bed. Repeated trauma to toenails can lead to deformities that may resemble a fungal infection, with thickened or discoloured nails.
Medication can also influence nail growth, with cancer medications being the most common culprits. Chemotherapy, for example, can cause Beau's lines (horizontal ridges) and slow nail growth. Other medications may lead to Mees' lines (white bands) and nail colour changes, although these changes typically disappear once the medication is stopped.
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Conditions like eczema and psoriasis can interfere with nail growth
The nail matrix, which lies beneath the skin at the inner edge of the nail plate, is responsible for most of a nail's growth. When the nail grows properly, the nail bed is smooth, but certain injuries and illnesses can damage the nail matrix and affect how your nails look or grow.
Eczema and psoriasis are two such conditions that can interfere with nail growth. Severe eczema can affect the nail matrix and temporarily impede nail growth. Eczema on the nails can cause discoloration, grooving, pitting, and other problems. It usually occurs in people who have eczema elsewhere on the body. Similarly, nail psoriasis can cause changes to your nails, including white lines, pitting, crumbling, and lifting. It is an autoimmune condition that causes skin cells to reproduce quickly, resulting in a skin rash. While nail eczema can appear at any age, nail psoriasis typically affects older adults.
In addition to eczema and psoriasis, other conditions such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), chemotherapy, and other medications can also impact nail growth. It is important to note that with proper treatment, healthy nails can often grow back. If you notice any changes in your nails, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
While nails are constantly growing, their growth rate can slow down due to various factors, including poor circulation, aging, and health conditions. Nails also play a protective role, defending against infections or injuries, and enhancing sensation and dexterity.
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Melanoma under the nail is a serious type of skin cancer
The appearance of a new nail growing in can vary depending on the cause of the previous nail's loss. In some cases, injuries or certain health conditions can cause changes in the appearance of the new nail. For example, an injury to the nail matrix can result in bruising, ridges, or discolouration on the new nail. Additionally, illnesses such as COVID-19 or pneumonia can cause horizontal ridges known as Beau's lines.
While nail changes are often harmless, they can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying condition, such as melanoma under the nail, also known as subungual melanoma. Subungual melanoma is a rare but serious type of skin cancer that affects the nail matrix, the part of the nail responsible for growth. It is characterised by the presence of malignant cells that reproduce and spread to other areas of the body.
Subungual melanoma typically presents as brown or black discolouration on the nail, and it can affect one or more fingernails or toenails. In some cases, the nail pigment may extend to the surrounding skin, a symptom known as Hutchinson's sign. While excessive sun exposure is the biggest risk factor, subungual melanoma can also occur in individuals with abnormal or plentiful moles, light hair, fair skin, or freckles. A family history of skin cancer or a weakened immune system also increases the risk.
Due to the subtle nature of its symptoms, subungual melanoma can be challenging to detect in its early stages. However, it is important to seek medical attention if you notice any colour changes or other abnormalities in a single nail. A dermatologist can examine the nail and perform diagnostic tests such as a biopsy or dermoscopy to confirm or rule out a cancer diagnosis. Early detection is crucial, as melanoma under the nail can be effectively treated through surgical removal of the affected area, often involving the entire nail. In some cases, the end of the affected finger or toe may need to be amputated, but this is usually avoided if possible.
In summary, while nail changes can have various causes, it is important to be vigilant about potential signs of melanoma under the nail. This rare but serious form of skin cancer can be successfully treated if detected early, emphasising the significance of seeking medical advice for any concerning nail abnormalities.
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Nails can be affected by fungal infections
The nail matrix is responsible for the growth of new nails. It is the "factory" where your body makes new fingernails and toenails. Nails are constantly growing, but their growth rate can slow down due to various factors, including poor circulation, aging, fever, injury, chemotherapy, and major stress.
Fungal nail infections are caused by a fungus that thrives in warm, dark, and moist environments, such as the feet. They can spread from person to person, especially in places like communal showers and gyms. To prevent fungal nail infections, it is important to maintain good nail hygiene and avoid walking barefoot in such environments.
While fungal infections are common, nails can also be affected by more serious conditions, including cancer. A dark streak on the nail, known as acral lentiginous melanoma, is the most serious type of skin cancer and requires immediate medical attention. Any changes in the colour, texture, or shape of the nails can be a sign of an underlying disease, and it is always advisable to consult a dermatologist or healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Fingernails grow slower than toenails
Fingernails and toenails are made in the nail matrix, which is the "factory" where your body produces new nails. The matrix lies beneath the skin, at the inner edge of the nail plate, and is responsible for most of a nail's growth. The rate of growth varies between different fingers and toes, and between individuals.
Fingernails grow at more than twice the rate of toenails, with an average rate of 3.47 mm/month compared to 1.62 mm/month. Toenails can take up to a year and a half to grow back, while fingernails take only six months. This is because toenails are generally subjected to less trauma than fingernails. Trauma may lead to increased blood and nutrient supply to the affected area, resulting in increased growth.
The growth rate of nails is also influenced by age, gender, and individual factors such as nutrition, season, and underlying health conditions. For example, younger people tend to have faster nail growth rates, and men tend to have faster nail growth rates than women. Additionally, certain health conditions, such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), can cause slower nail growth.
It is important to monitor any changes in the colour, texture, or shape of your nails as they can indicate underlying health issues. For example, horizontal ridges on the nails can be caused by a heart attack, illness, or injury, while a new or changing dark streak on the nails could be a sign of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. If you notice any unusual changes in your nails, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or healthcare provider.
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Frequently asked questions
After an injury, your nail may fall off and a new nail will grow in its place. The growth of a new nail may take several weeks or months.
A new nail growing in may have horizontal ridges or lines, dents, and discolouration. These symptoms could be a sign of a nail matrix problem.
If you have a fungal nail infection, your nail may turn yellow and thicken. This is known as onychomycosis.
