Ava Monroe
Fingernails and toenails are made up of dead, compacted cells that give them strength and flexibility. The growing part of the nail is under the skin at the nail's proximal end under the epidermis, which is the only living part of a nail. The growth rate of nails is influenced by factors such as age, sex, season, exercise, diet, and genetics. Nails grow at an average rate of 3.47 mm per month, but this can vary depending on the finger and overall health. Certain health conditions, injuries, and skin diseases can affect nail growth and cause nail lifting or onycholysis. It is important to seek medical advice if you notice any changes in your nails, as they can indicate underlying health issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average growth rate of fingernails | 3.47 mm per month or 0.1 mm per day |
| Toenail growth rate | 1.62 mm per month |
| Fingernail growth time | 3-6 months |
| Toenail growth time | 12-18 months |
| Factors affecting growth rate | Age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, hereditary factors, hand dominance, finger length, trauma, hormones, overall health, and nutrient deficiencies |
| Nail matrix | Creates new cells that become fingernails or toenails |
| Germinal matrix | Responsible for 90% of nail growth |
| Sterile matrix | Responsible for keeping the nail attached to the skin |
| Nail plate | Visible hard nail area made of translucent keratin protein |
| Nail bed | Does not contain nerves or blood vessels |
| Nail lifting (onycholysis) | Caused by injury, bacterial or fungal infection, medication, skin conditions, pregnancy, and use of harsh nail products |
| Nail disorders | Ingrowing toenail (onychocryptosis), pitted nails (pitting), washboard nails (onychotillomania), clubbing (curved nails), Beau's lines (horizontal ridges), nail thickening (onychogryphosis), nail degeneration (onychodystrophy), and nail fungus (onychomycosis) |
| Nail colour changes | Yellow nail syndrome, greenish-black nail infection, white bands (Mees' lines), brown or black discoloration (subungual melanoma), and darkened nails (vitamin B12 deficiency) |
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What You'll Learn
Factors influencing nail growth rate
Fingernails grow at an average rate of about a tenth of a millimeter per day, which amounts to approximately 3.47 millimeters per month. However, this rate of growth can vary due to several factors.
Firstly, the growth rate is influenced by the hand and finger on which the nail is located. Nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster, possibly due to increased trauma and nutrient flow to the area. Additionally, the 2007 study found that the little finger's nail grows slower than other fingernails.
Age is another factor that impacts nail growth. As individuals age, blood circulation slows down, leading to a decrease in nail growth rate over time. Hormone levels also play a role, with pregnancy and puberty influencing nail growth rates.
Health conditions and injuries can also affect nail growth. Illnesses such as heart attacks, COVID-19, and pneumonia can interrupt nail growth and cause horizontal ridges or Beau's lines. Injuries to the nail matrix, such as pinching or crushing the finger, can result in bruising, ridges, discoloration, and even nail loss. Certain medications, including chemotherapy, may also temporarily slow nail growth and cause Mees' lines or white bands. Skin conditions like severe eczema and nail psoriasis can interfere with nail growth, leading to Beau's lines, pitting, and texture changes.
Practicing good nail hygiene and overall body care can contribute to healthy nail growth. Keeping nails clean, trimmed, and moisturized is essential. Additionally, addressing nutritional deficiencies and underlying health conditions can help optimize nail growth.
While some factors influencing nail growth rate are beyond individual control, maintaining good health and nail hygiene practices can promote healthy and faster nail growth.
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Health conditions that affect nail growth
Several factors can affect the rate of nail growth, including the hand and finger the nail is on, age, hormone levels, and overall health. Nails on the dominant hand tend to grow faster, and nails on longer fingers grow faster than those on the little finger. Additionally, nail growth slows with age due to reduced blood circulation. Hormones can also play a role, with pregnancy resulting in rapid nail growth, while lactation decreases nail growth.
Various health conditions can also impact nail growth and appearance. Here are some health conditions that can affect nail growth:
- Infections: Bacterial and fungal infections can cause nail discolouration, such as greenish-black or yellow nails, and may lead to nail thickening and slowed growth. Fingernail infections typically respond faster to treatment than toenail infections.
- Skin Diseases: Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis can affect nail growth and appearance. Severe eczema can cause Beau's lines (horizontal ridges), pitting, texture changes, and colour changes. Nail psoriasis may result in white lines, pitting, and crumbling of the nails.
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): PAD reduces blood flow to the legs and feet, affecting the nail matrix and slowing nail growth.
- Vitamin Deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies can impact nail health and growth. For example, iron deficiency can lead to concave-shaped nails.
- Chronic Conditions: Certain chronic conditions can affect nail growth. For instance, hypothyroidism can cause brittle nails.
- Cancer: Subungual melanoma, a type of skin cancer affecting the nail matrix, can cause brown or black discolouration of the nail.
- Medication Side Effects: Chemotherapy and other medications can cause Beau's lines, slow nail growth, Mees' lines (white bands across the nails), and nail colour changes. These changes usually resolve after discontinuing the medication.
- Stress: Major stress can contribute to slowed nail growth or the cessation of nail growth altogether.
- Trauma: Physical trauma to the nails, such as crushing or dropping heavy objects on the fingers or toes, can injure the nail matrix and lead to bruising, ridges, discolouration, or nail loss.
- Congenital Conditions: Some nail conditions are congenital, present at birth, such as nail-patella syndrome, where nails are improperly formed or missing.
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Nail injuries and treatment
A nail injury can occur when the nail, nail bed, cuticle, or the skin around the sides of the nail gets injured. This can happen when the nail is cut, torn, smashed, bruised, or torn away from the skin. Mild nail injuries can be treated at home, but more serious injuries may require a visit to an urgent care center or the emergency room.
Treating Mild Nail Injuries at Home
If any part of your nail is hanging off, gently trim away the part not connected to your skin. Then, clean the wound using soap and water. If the wound is bleeding, do not put a dry bandage or gauze on top, as it will stick to the wound. Instead, apply petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist, then cover it with gauze or a bandage. Repeat these steps daily while the wound heals. Do not use sticky products on your nail, and only apply them to the skin around your nail. Wrapping the wound with an elastic bandage is another option, but make sure it is not too tight. Apply a cool, damp washcloth to the wound to reduce swelling. Prop the injured arm or leg on pillows so that the nail is higher than your heart to further reduce swelling. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain and reduce swelling when the injury is new.
Treating Serious Nail Injuries
For more serious nail injuries, it is important to seek medical attention at an urgent care center or emergency room. They will stop the bleeding and clean the wound, often numbing the area with medicine before treatment. If there is a large bruise, a small hole may be created in the nail to drain the blood and fluid, relieving pressure and pain. In some cases, the nail may need to be removed, and the nail bed repaired. Cuts in the nail bed will be closed with stitches, and the nail may be reattached with glue or stitches. If the nail cannot be reattached, a special type of material may be used as a replacement. 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.
Preventing Nail Injuries
To prevent nail injuries, it is recommended to keep your nails short so they do not bend or catch on objects. Ensure your shoes fit well and have a wide toe box to prevent rubbing. When playing sports, wear proper gear to protect your nails. Additionally, frequent nail clipping can promote faster nail growth and reduce the risk of trauma compared to nail biting.
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Nail matrix and its role in nail growth
Fingernails and toenails are made up of 196 layers of cells that are constantly produced by the nail matrix. The nail matrix is the most important structure within the nail unit, located at the base of the nail. It is responsible for creating new cells that allow the nail to grow. As new cells are produced, they push the older cells outward, resulting in nail growth. The length, size, and shape of the matrix determine the thickness, width, and shape of the nail. A longer nail matrix will result in a thicker nail, while a curved matrix will create a deeper C curve in the nail plate.
The nail matrix is made up of two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. The germinal matrix contributes to about 90% of nail growth, while the sterile matrix accounts for the remaining 10% of cells. The sterile matrix is responsible for keeping the nail attached to the underlying skin. The lunula, the white crescent shape at the base of the nail, is the only visible part of the nail matrix. However, some people may not have visible lunulas, which is normal.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. Minor damage to the matrix can cause temporary changes in the nail's appearance, such as ridges or grooves. Severe injuries, such as deep cuts or trauma to the germinal matrix, can result in the nail falling off and may even lead to permanent nail loss. Peripheral artery disease (PAD), for example, reduces blood flow to the legs and feet, affecting the nail matrix and slowing nail growth. Skin conditions like severe eczema can also interfere with nail growth, leading to Beau's lines, pitting, and texture or colour changes.
It is important to maintain the health of the nail matrix to ensure optimal nail growth. Proper care includes nail hygiene practices, avoiding excessive pressure or trauma to the matrix area, and a well-balanced diet for strong and resilient nails.
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Nutrient deficiencies and nail appearance
The growth of a nail occurs when new cells are created by the nail matrix. About 90% of nail growth comes from the germinal matrix, while the remaining 10% comes from the sterile matrix, which is also responsible for keeping the nail attached to the skin.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. For example, peripheral artery disease causes reduced blood flow to the legs and feet, which can slow nail growth. Similarly, severe eczema can affect the nail matrix and temporarily impede nail growth.
Nail changes in nutritional deficiencies are usually minor and non-specific. However, the normal nail plate is made up of a variety of nutrients, so nutritional deficiencies can lead to significant changes in the nail plate. For instance, the nails of children with kwashiorkor, a condition caused by severe protein malnutrition, are soft and thin. In addition, the iron content of nails may be lower in patients with iron deficiency anaemia. Spoon nails are also associated with iron deficiency. Scattered white spots on the nails can indicate a zinc deficiency, and horizontal ridges, also called Beau's lines, may be a sign of kidney disease or another underlying condition.
There are several treatments for brittle nails, including biotin, the application of essential fatty acids, and the ingestion of vitamin C, pyridoxine, iron, vitamin D, calcium, amino acids, and gelatin.
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Frequently asked questions
Onycholysis, or nail lifting, can be caused by injury, such as cleaning under your nails with a sharp object. It can also be caused by certain health conditions, such as diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, or a suppressed immune system. If you notice your nail lifting, it is advisable to see a podiatrist or dermatologist.
If a portion of your nail is loose and detached from the nail bed, it should be removed. You can trim the nail, file any sharp edges, and keep the nail smooth to prevent further trauma and damage. Applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly and covering the area with a non-stick bandage can also help.
It can take up to 18 months for a toenail and about six months for a fingernail to grow back after lifting. The actual growth rate depends on various factors, including age, sex, season, exercise level, diet, and hereditary factors.
Yes, certain over-the-counter vitamin supplements, such as multivitamins and biotin, may help promote the growth of strong nails. Ensuring adequate intake of vitamins A, B12, and folate, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and protein, is also important for nail health and growth.
Several factors can interfere with nail growth, including illnesses (such as a heart attack, COVID-19, or pneumonia), injuries to the nail matrix, skin conditions (such as severe eczema), and certain medications (such as chemotherapy). Peripheral artery disease, which reduces blood flow to the legs and feet, can also slow nail growth.
