Caleb Foster
There are many reasons why your thumbnails may not be growing. Firstly, it's important to note that nails are an indicator of health and well-being, and healthy nails grow at a rate of about one-tenth of a millimeter per day or approximately 3.5 millimeters per month. If your thumbnails are not growing, it could be due to vitamin or mineral deficiencies, such as a lack of biotin, zinc, or iron. Physical trauma or injury to the nails can also disrupt their growth, and certain health conditions like eczema, peripheral artery disease, or fungal infections can interfere with nail growth. Additionally, changes in the appearance or texture of your nails, such as deep grooves or discoloration, could indicate a more serious issue like nail matrix melanoma.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average growth rate | one-tenth of an inch per month |
| Factors affecting growth rate | finger, hand, age, hormone levels, overall health |
| Reasons for slow or no growth | trauma or injury, fungal infection, vitamin deficiency, weak nails, chemotherapy, peripheral artery disease, psoriasis, eczema, onychomycosis, retronychia, certain diets, drinks or supplements |
| Treatment | biotin supplements, fruit and vegetable-rich diet, surgery, nail trephination, nail hardeners, nontoxic polishes, moisturising with olive oil, multipurpose oils or hand cream |
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What You'll Learn
Trauma or injury
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage your nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. The nail matrix is the area where nail cells are produced, and it is responsible for about 90% of nail growth. Minor damage to the nail matrix can temporarily change the appearance of the nail, while severe damage can cause the nail to fall off. Once the nail matrix heals, the nail will usually start to grow again. However, in cases of severe nail matrix damage, some or all of the nail may not grow back.
Certain lifestyle factors, such as diets, drinks, or supplements, might lead to imbalances in the body that make it difficult for the nail to grow. Nails are primarily built from keratin, and nutritional deficiencies can stunt their growth. For example, a zinc deficiency can affect the body's ability to stabilize proteins, which are necessary for nail growth. Additionally, vitamin deficiencies can impact nail growth, and taking biotin supplements or consuming more fresh fruits can help combat this issue.
Nail injuries can also be caused by bruising under the nail, which can be relieved through a procedure called nail trephination, which drains the trapped blood and helps the new nail grow in correctly. This procedure must be performed within 48 hours of the injury, before the blood clots.
It is important to note that nails serve important functions as protective layers for the fingertips and as general indicators of health and well-being. Any damage sustained by the nails can become harder to repair, impacting their ability to function effectively.
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Vitamin deficiency
The shape, texture, and colour of your nails can indicate various health issues, including vitamin deficiencies. For instance, vitamin B12 deficiency can cause entirely blue nails, bluish-black pigments with wavy longitudinal dark streaks, and brownish pigmentation. Nails that are brittle, weak, and peeling can be a sign of a poor diet or vitamin deficiency.
Nails that are thin, spoon-shaped, and concave can indicate an iron deficiency, also known as anemia. This can be caused by various factors, including high altitude, and can be treated with a high-strength supplement. Iron is needed to provide your cells with adequate oxygen, which is necessary for healthy nails.
Vitamin B9, or folate, is also important for nail growth and health, as it contributes to red blood cell formation and the development of new cells. A deficiency in folate can cause nail pigmentation changes and make nails rigid and brittle.
Biotin supplements can help strengthen brittle nails and improve their growth. Biotin is most concentrated in organ meats such as liver but can also be found in egg yolk, dairy products, yeast, salmon, avocado, sweet potato, nuts, seeds, and even cauliflower.
Zinc is another mineral required for healthy nail growth, and it can be found in animal proteins and certain plant foods.
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Fungal infections
Fingernails and toenails serve important functions as protective layers for the fingertips and general indicators of health and well-being. Healthy nails grow at a rate of about one-tenth of a millimeter per day or approximately 3.5 millimeters per month. However, factors such as physical trauma, injury, and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and interfere with this normal nail growth process.
The presence of a fungal infection can be indicated by certain changes in the nail's appearance. These changes may include thickening, discolouration (such as a greenish-black colour), and brittleness. In some cases, the nail may also exhibit pitting or small, pinhole-like dots. If you suspect a fungal infection, it is important to seek medical advice, as early diagnosis and treatment can help clear the infection and promote healthy nail growth.
To prevent and manage fungal nail infections, maintaining proper nail hygiene is essential. This includes keeping your nails clean, dry, and trimmed. Avoiding the use of nail polish or artificial nails can also help, as they can create a favourable environment for fungal growth by trapping moisture and hindering ventilation. Additionally, if you have a habit of biting your nails, it is crucial to stop, as this can introduce bacteria and fungi into the nail bed, increasing the risk of infection.
If you suspect a fungal nail infection, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or podiatrist for professional advice and treatment options. They may prescribe topical or oral antifungal medications to eradicate the infection and restore healthy nail growth. It is important to follow their instructions and complete the full course of treatment to ensure the infection is successfully resolved.
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Nail biting
There are several reasons why your thumbnails may not be growing, including physical trauma or injury to the nails, vitamin deficiency, and nail biting.
Solutions to stop nail biting:
- Identify triggers: Recognise what triggers the behaviour and work on managing those triggers. This can include keeping your hands busy with a fidget device, stress ball, or silly putty.
- Gradual reduction: Instead of quitting cold turkey, gradually reduce nail biting by choosing one nail or finger to avoid biting and slowly expanding the "no-biting" zone.
- Manicures: Investing in regular professional manicures can provide an incentive to avoid nail biting, as you will want to maintain the appearance of your nails.
- Bitter-tasting nail polish: Special nail polishes with a bitter flavour can be painted on nails, making biting them unpleasant.
- Keep nails trimmed: Maintaining short nails leaves less nail to bite and may reduce the satisfaction derived from biting.
- Address mental health: If nail biting is related to mental health issues, addressing the underlying causes through therapy or other treatments may help reduce the behaviour.
By understanding the causes and implementing strategies to manage triggers and break the habit, individuals can improve their nail health and reduce the negative consequences associated with nail biting.
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Underlying health conditions
Nails that stop growing can be an indication of underlying health conditions. Firstly, it is important to note that nails are made of keratin, a type of protein. Therefore, nutritional deficiencies can stunt nail growth. For example, a zinc deficiency can disrupt protein stabilization, leading to impaired nail growth. Similarly, iron deficiency can cause thin, spoon-shaped nails, known as koilonychia.
Secondly, severe eczema can affect the nail matrix, causing temporary nail growth interruption. Additionally, psoriasis, a chronic disease where the immune system attacks healthy tissues, can impact the nails, leading to white lines, pitting, and crumbling. In some cases, psoriasis may cause the nails to thicken and overgrow, a condition called onychogryphosis or Ram's horn nails.
Furthermore, peripheral artery disease, characterized by narrowed arteries due to fatty buildup, can result in poor blood flow to the fingertips. This reduced circulation leads to poor nutrition and oxygen supply, slowing or even halting nail growth.
Nail infections, such as onychomycosis or fungal infections, can also negatively affect nail growth. Fungi can invade the nail bed, causing thickening, discolouration, and brittleness, inhibiting healthy nail growth. Left untreated, these infections can worsen, and the nail may stop growing completely.
Additionally, certain medications and treatments, such as chemotherapy, can interrupt nail growth due to their impact on rapidly dividing cells, including nail matrices.
Finally, changes in nail colour, texture, or shape can be indicative of underlying health conditions. For example, brown or black discolouration of the nail could be a sign of subungual melanoma, a type of skin cancer affecting the nail matrix.
While this provides some insight into potential underlying health conditions, it is always advisable to consult a medical professional or dermatologist for personalized advice and an accurate diagnosis.
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Frequently asked questions
There could be several reasons for stunted thumbnail growth. Physical trauma or injury to the nails can disrupt their growth process. This can include accidents, excessive pressure or force on the nails, or repetitive stress from activities such as typing or playing musical instruments.
If you have a bruise under your thumbnail, you may benefit from a procedure called nail trephination, which drains the trapped blood and helps the new nail grow in correctly. This procedure must be performed within 48 hours of the injury.
Yes, fungal infections can also be responsible for slow or stunted nail growth. Fungi can invade the nail bed, causing thickening, discolouration, and brittleness, inhibiting healthy nail growth.
Fungal nail infections can be treated, and you should see a doctor or dermatologist for advice.
Yes, there are many other reasons why thumbnails might not be growing, including vitamin deficiency, certain diets, drinks, supplements, underlying medical conditions, age, and hormone levels.
