Noah Sinclair
Astronauts often lose their fingernails during spacewalks due to bulky gloves that cut off circulation and chafe against their hands. This phenomenon is called fingernail delamination or onycholysis. To avoid this, some astronauts have resorted to ripping off their fingernails before reaching orbit. This problem has been acknowledged by NASA, which has launched the two-time Astronaut Glove Challenge to address it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of occurrence | Common |
| Cause | Sustained pressure on the fingertips, loss of circulation, and moisture inside the glove |
| Prevention methods | Applying protective dressings, keeping nails trimmed, ripping off fingernails before reaching orbit, taping over fingernails, custom-fitted gloves, less-bulky spacesuits, gloves with robotic joints or actuators |
| Severity | Does not prevent astronauts from getting their work done, but can become a nuisance if the loose nail gets snagged inside the glove |
| Gender difference | Onycholysis appeared more likely in women than men |
| Hand size | Astronauts with wider hands are more likely to experience fingernail loss |
| Glove type | One glove type was associated with an 8.5 times higher risk of fingernail loss |
| Glove layers | Pressurized inner layer under a thick outer layer |
| Glove design challenges | Balancing comfort, pressure regulation, movement, and protection from space hazards |
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What You'll Learn
- Astronauts' fingernails detach due to pressure and glove design
- Some astronauts rip off their fingernails before reaching orbit
- Fingernail delamination is caused by sustained pressure on fingertips
- Wide-handed astronauts are more prone to fingernail delamination
- Glove design improvements are being studied to reduce fingernail injuries
Astronauts' fingernails detach due to pressure and glove design
The pressure from inside inflates the gloves, and they need to be tight to maintain flexibility. This tightness can cut off circulation to the fingertips, leading to fingernail delamination, where the nails detach from the nail bed. This phenomenon occurs more frequently in astronauts with wider hands, as the gloves are too tight where the fingers meet the palm. In fact, a study found that male astronauts with a hand circumference larger than 9 inches (23 cm) had a 19.6% probability of fingernail injury, while those with smaller hands had only a 5.6% chance.
The rigid, balloon-like nature of gas-pressurized gloves makes fine motor control challenging during extravehicular activities (EVAs), or spacewalks. This lack of flexibility can make it difficult to grip objects and perform tasks, leading to sustained pressure on the fingertips and intense pain. As a result, some astronauts have resorted to removing their fingernails before spacewalks to avoid the inconvenience of losing them during the mission.
To mitigate this issue, researchers have suggested improved, custom-fitted gloves as a potential solution. Dava Newman, a professor of aeronautics and astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has been studying space-related injuries and believes that customized gloves or new ones with robotic joints might be the answer for large-handed spacewalkers. Additionally, Newman's lab is working on less bulky spacesuits that rely on mechanical counterpressure, which could reduce the pressure on the fingertips and potentially prevent fingernail delamination.
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Some astronauts rip off their fingernails before reaching orbit
Astronauts often lose their fingernails during spacewalks due to the bulky gloves they wear, which cut off circulation and chafe against their hands. This phenomenon is called fingernail delamination or onycholysis. To avoid this, some astronauts have resorted to ripping off their fingernails before reaching orbit. Dava Newman, director of MIT's technology and policy program and director of the university's Man Vehicle Lab, confirms this, stating that some astronauts have reported losing their fingernails during spacewalks.
Fingernail trauma and other hand injuries are the most common complaints of astronauts, with wide-handed spacewalkers being the most at risk. A study of astronaut injuries between 2002 and 2004 found that about 47% of 352 reported symptoms were hand-related, with more than half of these being fingernail delamination. The current glove design, with its pressurized inner layer and thick outer layer, restricts movement and causes pain, muscle fatigue, and severe injuries.
The problem arises from the gloves' pressurization, which makes the flexible fabric stiff and uncomfortable. This pressure on the fingertips, combined with circulation cutoff, leads to fingernail delamination. Additionally, moisture inside the glove can cause secondary bacterial or yeast infections in the exposed nail beds. Engineers and researchers are working on finding solutions, such as improved, custom-fitted gloves or new gloves with robotic joints.
While ripping off their fingernails may be one solution for astronauts, it is not ideal. Applying protective dressings, keeping nails trimmed short, or taping over fingernails are other preventative measures that can be considered. Ultimately, the goal is to develop spacesuit gloves that minimize the risk of fingernail delamination and other hand injuries while still providing the necessary protection for astronauts during spacewalks.
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Fingernail delamination is caused by sustained pressure on fingertips
Fingernail delamination is a condition that occurs when astronauts' nails detach from their nail beds. This phenomenon is caused by sustained pressure on the fingertips during extravehicular activities (EVAs) or spacewalks. The pressure results from the tight-fitting and bulky design of spacesuit gloves, which can restrict movement and cut off circulation to the fingertips.
The condition of fingernail delamination, or onycholysis, has been reported by astronauts during and after spacewalks. In a study of 232 crew members, 22 reported at least one case of fingernail delamination. The risk is higher for astronauts with wider hands or larger hand circumferences, as the gloves tend to be too tight where the fingers meet the palm. This pressure on the fingertips can cause intense pain and lead to the nails detaching from the nail beds.
The design of spacesuit gloves has been identified as a significant factor contributing to fingernail delamination. The gloves are pressurized to protect astronauts during EVAs, but this pressurization can make the gloves stiff and restrictive. The restricted movement, combined with sustained pressure, can lead to fingernail trauma and detachment. Additionally, moisture inside the gloves can result in secondary bacterial or yeast infections in the exposed nail beds.
To mitigate the risk of fingernail delamination, some astronauts have resorted to removing their fingernails before spacewalks or applying protective dressings. However, these are only temporary solutions, and the development of customized or improved-fit gloves is necessary to comprehensively address the issue. Glove design is a complex engineering challenge, as spacesuit gloves must balance mobility and flexibility with the need for pressurization and protection from the extreme conditions of space.
In conclusion, fingernail delamination among astronauts is caused by sustained pressure on the fingertips due to the tight-fitting nature of spacesuit gloves. This condition is a significant concern within the space exploration community, and ongoing efforts are focused on improving glove design to minimize the risk of fingernail delamination and other hand injuries during spacewalks.
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Wide-handed astronauts are more prone to fingernail delamination
Astronauts often lose their fingernails during spacewalks due to bulky gloves that cut off circulation and chafe against their hands. This phenomenon is called fingernail delamination, where the nails detach from their nail beds. It is caused by sustained pressure on the fingertips during EVAs, which can also lead to intense pain.
A study of astronaut injuries during spacewalks found that about 47% of 352 reported symptoms between 2002 and 2004 were hand-related. More than half of these hand injuries were due to fingertips and nails making contact with the hard "thimbles" inside the glove fingertips. To avoid this inconvenience, some astronauts have resorted to removing their fingernails before reaching orbit.
The current glove design for astronauts consists of a pressurized inner layer under a thick outer layer that offers protection. However, this pressurized glove can become stiff and restrictive, impacting the movement of the metacarpal joint. Engineers are working on building less bulky spacesuits that rely on mechanical counterpressure, with gloves that have actuators to improve mobility and reduce the risk of fingernail delamination.
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Glove design improvements are being studied to reduce fingernail injuries
Newman's research has identified that astronauts with wider hands are more prone to fingernail delamination due to the tight fit of the gloves at the joint where the fingers meet the palm. This can cut off circulation to the fingertips, leading to fingernail loss. To address this issue, Newman's lab is working on developing less bulky spacesuits that utilize mechanical counterpressure and gloves with actuators. Additionally, customized gloves or new ones with robotic joints are being considered as potential solutions for astronauts with larger hands.
Other suggestions to mitigate fingernail injuries include applying protective dressings, keeping nails trimmed short, and using tape over fingernails. While these measures may provide some relief, the fundamental issue lies in the glove design itself. The challenge is to create a glove that maintains the necessary pressurization for astronaut safety while providing sufficient flexibility and comfort to prevent fingernail trauma.
One study, led by Engineer Christopher Reid, examined 31 onycholysis (fingernail detachment) injuries reported by astronauts. The study found that glove design played a significant role, with one type of glove associated with an 8.5 times higher risk of fingernail loss. Middle finger injuries were predominant, influenced by glove sizing and length. The findings highlight the need for improved glove designs that take into account hand morphology and movement to reduce the risk of fingernail injuries during spacewalks.
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Frequently asked questions
Cutting nails in space is not a common practice, but in some cases, astronauts have chosen to remove their nails before going into orbit to avoid the pain and inconvenience of losing nails inside their space suit gloves.
Fingernail delamination, or onycholysis, is caused by sustained pressure on the fingertips during spacewalks, which can lead to intense pain and nails detaching from their nail beds.
In a study of astronaut injuries, 22 out of 232 crew members reported at least one case of fingernail delamination. Another study found that about 47% of 352 reported symptoms between 2002 and 2004 were hand-related, with more than half of these related to fingertips and nails.
Applying protective dressings, keeping nails trimmed short, and using customized gloves with improved fit and flexibility are potential solutions to reduce the risk of fingernail delamination.
Yes, the pressurised and stiff nature of the gloves can cause restricted movement, pain, muscle fatigue, and severe injuries. Moisture inside the gloves can also lead to secondary bacterial or yeast infections in exposed nail beds.
