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Our finger and toe nails are to protect and shield our extremities.
The nails are horny plates firmly attached to the nail bed of our fingers and
toes. They are made up of keratin cells as is our hair. They are about 0.4 -
0.8mm thick and consist of the front free edge - the body of the nail or nail
plate which is - and the
nail matrix, which is embedded in the proximal nail fold.
Like our skin, the health of our nails is a reflection of the health of our
bodies. Strong healthy nails are the result of a good diet and lifestyle.
Nail Structure
- Nail Wall
Folds of skin that overlap the sides of the nail. It holds your nail in place
and protects the nail plate edges.
- Matrix
The only living reproducing part of the nail, this is situated directly below
the cuticle. New cells form here and continually push towards to produce the
nail plate. It also contains blood vessels and nerves. Blood supply provides
the cells with nourishment. If the matrix is damaged the nail will grow
deformed.
- Lunula or half moon
Meeting point for the matrix and nail bed. Pearly coloured and crescent shaped
due to the cells being pushed closely together, the blood capillaries cannot
be seen through the lunula because of this.
- Nail Plate
Visible nail that rests on the nail bed up to the free edge. This is made up
from dead cells (that have been pushed up from the matrix) and minimum amount
of moisture. The nail is semi-transparent – allowing the colour of blood
supply of the dermis to show through (pinky colour).
- Nail Bed
Part of the nail that the nail plate rests on, also a continuation of the
matrix. It is abundantly supplied with blood vessels and nerves, having
numerous parallel ridges which dovetail exactly with the ridges on the under
surface of the nail plate.
- Free Edge
Is an extension of the nail plate. It overlaps the hyponichium. This part of
the nail must be cut, filed and shaped.
- Cuticle
This is the overlapping epidermis surrounding the nail. It protects the matrix
from invading bacterial (good and bad, pathogens) and physical damage.
- Eponychium - base of the nail.
- Peronychium - sides of the nail.
- Hyponichium - The portion of the skin at the end of the finger that is
underneath the free edge.
- Nail Groves or furrows - Are at the side of the nails upon which the
nail moves on and acts as a guideline for the nail to follow.
Nail Growth
Several things can affect the growth of your nails including age, diet and
poor health and it can take between 5 - 6 months for the nail to grow from the
matrix to the free edge.
- Smaller children – the growth is rapid 6 – 8 weeks.
- Normal adults – growth can be between 0.5 – 1.2 mm a week.
- The nail plate growth slows on average 25% - 33% over a normal lifetime.
- Nails will grow quicker:
- In younger people rather than older people
- During pregnancy
- In the summer than in the winter
- On the hands rather than the feet.
Nail Care and Problems
If the nail is lost or injured, it will generally grow back, but if the matrix
is damaged the nail may grow back deformed.
- Trimming
Keeping your nails trimmed/cut/filed so that the free edge is no more that 2 -
5 mm means that they are less likely to catch and break
- Ingrown Nails
Sometimes the nails, especially toe nails will in grow at the sides. To help
remedy this, cut the nail more straight which encourages the nail edges to
lift.
- Brittle nails
May have a
low water content effecting the flexibility of the nails, so drinking more water
and improving your diet and lifestyle will help to strengthen your nails.
- Nail varnishes and oils
Can temporarily protect and strengthen nails, however nail polish removers can
damage nails.
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