Liam Carter
Fingernails and toenails can be a good indicator of a person's overall health. While there are several factors that influence nail growth, such as age, hormones, and overall health, changes in the appearance of your nails could indicate an underlying health issue. For example, iron deficiency can cause nails to become thin, brittle, and ridged, or even flat or concave. A nail-related injury, such as dropping something on your toe or catching your finger in a drawer, could also cause changes in nail growth. In addition, certain habits like nail-biting or picking can lead to infections. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of any unusual changes in your nails and, if necessary, consult a doctor or dermatologist for further advice and treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average growth rate of fingernails | 3.47 mm per month or 0.1 mm per day |
| Toenails growth rate | 1.62 mm per month |
| Fingernail growth factors | Which hand it is, age, hormone levels, and overall health |
| Toenail growth factors | Trauma and circulation |
| Signs of nail infection | Pain, redness, swelling, and pus |
| Nail problems | Ingrown nail, nail injury, and hangnail |
| Signs of iron deficiency | Pale colour, thin texture, brittleness, and ridges |
| Signs of serious nail infection | Redness and swelling |
| Signs of other underlying conditions | Discoloration, dents, deep grooves, and pitted nails |
| Reasons for slow nail growth | Fever, injury, chemotherapy, and stress |
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What You'll Learn
Iron deficiency
Fingernails provide good clues to a person's overall health. Changes in colour and shape can indicate a health concern. One such nail irregularity is koilonychia, or spoon nails, where the centre of the nail becomes indented and sunken, giving it a spoon-like appearance. Spoon nails can also be thin and brittle. This condition is often a sign of iron deficiency, also known as iron deficiency anaemia.
Iron is necessary to make new red blood cells. A lack of red blood cells means the body cannot carry the proper amount of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. This can cause nail abnormalities, such as spoon nails, and nail beds may appear pale or whitened. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of spoon nails in children.
If you have an iron deficiency, changing your diet or taking supplements may correct and prevent spoon nails. You may eat more iron-rich foods, such as beans, lentils, dark chocolate, fortified foods (bread or breakfast cereal), iron-rich fruit (dates, figs, prunes and raisins), leafy greens (spinach or kale), meat and seafood rich in iron, and nuts and seeds.
If you feel like your nails are growing unusually slow, or are experiencing discolouration or other symptoms, talk to your doctor. Your symptoms may be tied to nutritional deficiencies or another underlying condition.
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Trauma to the nail
When trauma occurs, the body's natural response is to send more blood and nutrients to the affected area to aid in its repair. This increase in nutrients may cause the nail to grow faster. The growth rate of nails is influenced by several factors, including finger usage, age, and hormones. Younger people's nails, for instance, grow faster than those of older people because their blood circulation is faster.
The impact of trauma on the nail can disrupt its normal growth cycle, which begins in the nail matrix, the tissue inside the cuticle where new nail growth originates. If the matrix is damaged, it can lead to noticeable changes in the nail as it grows out, such as thickening, ridging, discolouration, or a rough texture. Trauma can hinder the production of healthy cells, causing the nail to grow unevenly or distortedly. In some cases, the nail's growth may temporarily slow down or even stop while it recovers from the injury.
The severity of nail injury and the specific changes in nail growth determine the course of treatment. Minor trauma may heal without intervention, but keeping the area clean can aid in recovery. Significant changes or pain indicate the need for professional medical attention. Severe cases may require trimming damaged sections, draining blood accumulated under the nail, or surgical procedures if nail removal is necessary. While the nail may eventually return to its original appearance, profound matrix damage could necessitate ongoing care or reconstructive approaches.
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Poor nail hygiene
Infections
Nails that are not properly cleaned and trimmed can become a breeding ground for dirt, germs, and bacteria, leading to infections. This is more common with longer nails as they provide more surface area for these pathogens to accumulate. Symptoms of a nail infection include pain, redness, swelling, and sometimes pus. It is important to maintain short and clean nails to reduce the risk of infection.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Nutrition plays a crucial role in nail health. Deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as iron, can lead to brittle, weak, and peeling nails. These symptoms may indicate an underlying nutritional deficiency that can affect nail growth and overall nail health. Maintaining a balanced diet and ensuring adequate nutrient intake can promote healthy nail growth.
Exposure to Chemicals and Moisture
Overexposure to chemicals and moisture can negatively impact nail health. Detergents, cleaning fluids, nail treatments, and nail polish can dry out nails, making them more brittle and prone to breakage. Avoiding excessive use of these products and opting for natural alternatives can help prevent damage to nails and support healthy growth.
Trauma
Using your nails as tools or exposing them to physical trauma can affect their growth. External trauma, such as catching your nail on something or hitting it with a hammer, can cause nail damage. This increases the risk of infection and may affect the rate of nail growth. It is important to be mindful of how you use your hands to reduce the chances of nail trauma.
Lack of Moisturization
Nails that are not properly moisturized can become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Regularly applying lotion or moisturizer to the nails and cuticles can help maintain nail health and promote growth. Moisturizing the nails is especially important after activities that involve water exposure, as this can dry out the nails.
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Underlying medical conditions
Fingernails can provide good clues to a person's overall health. Changes in the appearance of your nails may be associated with underlying medical conditions. Here are some possible conditions that could be causing your nails to grow "funny":
Infections
Nail infections, known as paronychia, can cause redness, swelling, pain, and pus around or under the nail. Bacterial infections can turn the nail greenish-black. Infections require treatment and can worsen without it.
Nutritional deficiencies
If your nails are growing unusually slow or experiencing discoloration, this could indicate nutritional deficiencies. For example, iron deficiency can cause nails to become thin, brittle, or concave, and may lead to vertical ridges or spoon-shaped nails.
Skin problems
Changes in your nails can indicate skin problems. A new or changing dark streak under the nail could be melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. White discoloration and nail lifting can be caused by injury, such as cleaning under your nails with a sharp object.
Lung disease
Yellow nail syndrome can be a sign of lung disease. If your nails turn yellow, thicken, and stop growing, it could indicate an underlying issue.
Arthritis
Yellow nail syndrome can also be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.
Other medical conditions
Nail changes can be associated with various other medical conditions, including anemia and circulation problems. For example, anemia can cause nails to become pale, thin, brittle, and ridged.
If you are concerned about changes in your nail growth or appearance, it is recommended to consult a doctor or dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Nail biting
There are several methods to help individuals stop biting their nails. One approach is to use a dental deterrent device that prevents the front teeth from damaging the nails and cuticles. After about two months, this device can lead to a complete suppression of the nail-biting urge. Another strategy is to keep nails trimmed short, making it less satisfying to bite them. Special nail polishes with a bitter flavour can also be applied to nails, deterring nail biting. Wearing gloves or using stickers designed to cover nails can also help, as they physically prevent access to the nails. Identifying triggers and finding alternative ways to cope, such as chewing gum or fiddling with a stress ball, can be effective as well.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why your nails might start growing in an unusual way. Firstly, the rate of nail growth depends on factors such as age, hormone levels, and overall health. For example, nails tend to grow faster during the day and in the summer. Additionally, the nails on your dominant hand and longer fingers tend to grow faster due to increased use.
Signs of a nail infection include pain, redness, swelling, and the presence of pus.
Yes, nutritional deficiencies can impact nail growth. For example, iron deficiency can lead to pale, thin, and brittle nails with vertical ridges or a concave shape.
Yes, stress, along with fever, injury, or chemotherapy, can cause nails to grow slowly or stop growing temporarily.
Yes, certain nail polishes and removers can dry out your nails and increase the risk of breakage. It is recommended to use non-toxic or water-based polishes and to keep your nails moisturized.
