Facts you should know about your nails

I’m sure you rarely take a look at your hands and think there are some things you should know about your nails, but I’m going to share some things with you that might make you think a bit more about how you look after your nails. I’m including some basic facts about nails, but also some things you probably won’t know, and things you’ve never considered before. Read on for some things you should know about your nails.

What are nails-

One of the things you should know about your nails is what they are and why they are there. Ok, obviously nails are there to protect the ends of your fingers and toes, but why? Your fingertips and toes are incredibly sensitive. In particular, the fingertips have a huge accumulation of nerve endings. Indeed, the fingertips have the densest area of feeling receptors in the whole body. Nails are the human equivalent of animal claws and although we have developed beyond the uses to which the animal kingdom put their nails, we still use them for scratching and picking up tiny things.

What are they made of-

One of the interesting facts about nails you may not know is that they are made of the same material as your hair – the protein, keratin. The keratin cells at the root of the nail harden and flatten, while new cells form beneath the top layer, pushing the hard cells out to become the nail. The pinkish look of your nails comes from the blood vessels that feed the nail bed – i.e the part where the new cells are formed. The actual nail doesn’t require feeding because they are “dead.”

Growth rate-

One of the interesting facts about your nails, which if you think about it you know but probably haven’t given much thought to, is that your fingernails grow more quickly than your toe nails. Actually, fingernails grow about 2.5 millimeters each month while toenails grow about 1 millimeter a month. The fastest growing fingernail is the one on the middle finger and the slowest growing one is the thumbnail.
Another of the things to know about your nails is that the nails on your right hand will grow quicker if you are right-handed, and vice versa if you are left-handed. And, did you know that your nail growth will slow down with age and that, contrary to what you may have heard, they do not continue to grow after your have died? Interestingly, nail growth speeds up in pregnant women. Nail growth is also affected by climate, growing faster in summer and warm conditions. Nails grow more slowly during illness, growth is affected by hormone imbalances and nails grow faster during the day than at night. But, maybe the most disappointing of nail facts is that male nails grow faster than female nails.

Nail strength-

Nails are incredibly strong given how thin they are, and this is due to the strength of the accumulation of keratin. Despite this, however, they are prone to breakage, splitting and tearing. And apparently – and I only read this; I have no supporting evidence and am not likely to try it myself – a human fingernail will dissolve in cola in only 4 days! Toe nails are stronger, being twice as thick as fingernails, and this is because before we invented shoes, we needed more protection for our feet/toes than for our hands/fingers.

Dead or alive-

One of the facts about your nails already mentioned is that the main part of the nail – despite that it looks like it is this bit that is growing – is actually dead. This means your nails do not breathe, they cannot get tired and they do not sweat. However, the nail beds and the nail cuticles (the tissue that connects the nail to the body) are made of living, growing tissue and therefore, like the rest of your body, need oxygen, minerals and vitamins. You should also look after your cuticles with as much care as you do your other skin. Do not cut cuticles or file them, and moisturize them regularly