Nails

By Jouri Al-Butti :

As a girl who loves getting her nails done and literally notices every detail when someone’s nails look good or bad, choosing nails as my topic for this month’s blog felt obvious. Nails seem simple. You paint them, file them, shape them and move on. But when you start reading about what they actually are and everything they show about your health, you realise they’re a lot more complex.

What are nails?

Nails are hard, protective structures at the tips of your fingers and toes. The reason they matter is because the ends of your fingers and toes are full of nerves and blood vessels. They’re sensitive and easy to damage, so the nail sits there as a shield. Healthy nails look smooth, feel strong and don’t break easily. Even though we think of nails as separate from the skin, they’re actually part of the integumentary system, which includes your skin, hair and glands.

Why do we have fingernails and toenails?

Nails do more than just look nice. They help with

• Protecting the tips of your fingers and toes

• Improving your sense of touch

• Making tasks easier, like picking up tiny objects

• Supporting fine motor movements

• Acting as a tool for scratching

In humans and other primates, nails are a feature of evolution. Other animals developed claws or hooves, but we kept nails because they worked better with the way we use our hands.

What is the anatomy of the nail?

When you look at your nails, you’re mainly seeing the nail plate. That’s the hard part you trim or polish. But under that surface there’s a whole system working in the background, called the nail unit.

• Nail plate

This is the visible part. It’s firm, slightly curved and grows forward. The white edge you cut is called the free edge.

• Nail matrix

This is the part that actually produces the nail. Most of it sits hidden under the skin, but the visible crescent shape (the lunula) is a small exposed section of the matrix. Everything that happens in the matrix shows up in the nail later.

• Nail bed

This is the skin under the nail plate. It’s full of tiny blood vessels that give your nails their pink colour. The nail plate sticks firmly to the nail bed.

• Nail folds

These are the skin edges that frame the nail. The sides are the lateral folds. The fold at the base is the proximal nail fold. These folds protect the matrix.

• Hyponychium

This is the skin under the free edge of the nail. It acts as a barrier that blocks germs from entering under the nail.

• Onychodermal band

This sits between the nail bed and the hyponychium. It stops moisture and bacteria from getting underneath the nail plate.

• Cuticle

This is the thin but protective seal between the nail plate and the skin. Removing or pushing it back too harshly weakens that seal and increases the risk of infection.

What are nails made of?

Nails are made mainly of keratin. Keratin is a tough protein also found in hair and the outer layer of skin. Nails also contain water, which keeps them flexible, and lipids, which help stop the nail from drying out. Nails are not related to bone. Bones get their strength from collagen, not keratin.

How long does it take for nails to grow?

Fingernails grow about 3 mm a month. If a nail falls off or gets removed, it needs at least six months to fully regrow. Toenails grow more slowly, around 1.5 mm a month, which is why a lost toenail can take over a year to return.

Conditions and disorders that affect nails

Nails react to illness, injury, infections and even stress. When something is wrong, the nail can change colour, thickness, shape or texture. Some conditions affect only the nails, while others are linked to underlying health problems.

Examples include

• Brittle nails

• Ingrown toenails

• Subungual melanoma

• Paronychia

• Nail psoriasis

• Onycholysis

• Toenail fungus

• Injuries such as subungual hematomas

Changes in nails often appear slowly, so many people don’t notice them until the difference is obvious.

Signs and symptoms

You should pay attention if you see

• New lines or streaks

• Ridges, grooves or pits

• Discoloration

• Peeling or splitting

• Pain, swelling or discharge

Even small changes can matter, especially if they appear suddenly or affect only one nail.

What are nail lines?

Nail lines look like streaks across the nail. They can be white, red or brown-black. They can show up because of injury, vitamin deficiency, medication or health issues.

Types of nail lines

• White lines (leukonychia)

• Red lines (longitudinal erythronychia)

• Brown-black lines (longitudinal melanonychia)

The pattern helps identify the cause. Brown-black lines are common in people with darker skin, especially with age, but they also require checking because they can indicate melanoma. Beau’s lines are another type, but instead of a colour change they are grooves running horizontally across the nail. They often appear after illness, severe stress or an interruption in nail growth.

How are nail disorders treated?

Treatment depends on the cause.

• Topical medication

• Oral medication

• Supplements

• Procedures such as nail removal

• Treating any underlying medical issue

Because nails grow slowly, treatment usually takes months before results appear.

How to care for your nails

You can protect your nails by

• Wearing gloves for cleaning or dishwashing

• Cutting your nails straight across

• Avoiding biting or picking

• Taking breaks from gel polish

• Moisturising nails and cuticles

• Avoiding tight shoes

• Wearing footwear in public showers

Good habits reduce the risk of infection and damage.

What do nails say about your health?

Nails can reflect overall health more than people realise. Changes in texture, colour or thickness can point to

• Heart disease

• Kidney disease

• Nutritional deficiency

• Thyroid problems

• Infection

• Heavy metal poisoning

This is why doctors check nails as part of physical examinations.

When should you see a healthcare provider?

If you see changes without a clear cause or something looks unusual, it’s better to get it checked. Many nail changes are harmless, but some are linked to serious conditions. A professional can tell the difference.

After reading all of this, it’s funny how something as small and girly as getting your nails done is actually linked to so much real biology. Nails aren’t just an aesthetic thing or something you choose a colour for. They reflect your health, how your body is coping and even what’s happening beneath the surface. So the next time you’re sitting in the salon choosing a shade of pink, you’ll know there’s a whole system working behind those nails to protect you, support you and tell you what’s going on inside your body. It makes looking after them feel a lot more meaningful.