Many amazing things your nails can tell you

Diana Armstrong hasn't cut her nails in over 24 years. When she was last measured in 2022, her nails were 42 feet 10.4 inches (13 meters) long. Whether you consider your nails as a statement of style or simply use them to scratch or exfoliate some dead skin every now and then, know that they often tell important stories. Nails can be the first evidence that something has gone wrong with your health. Not only are bumps, bumps and discolorations unsightly, they can indicate serious problems with your skin, liver, lungs, nutrition, and more. To know what to look for, it's helpful to understand the formation of nails, that hard surface that grows about 0.14 inches (3.5 mm) per month – and for information, it's always a little faster in your dominant hand.

The basic parts of the nails include:

Nail plate: The hard visible nail made of keratin, a fibrous protein composed of amino acids, primarily cysteine, glycine, proline, serin, alanine, and tyrosine.

Nail bed: The skin below the nail plate that supports it.

Matrix: The area at the base of the nail where new nail cells are produced. This is the vital part of the nail. After the nail forms at the base, it is essentially dead, which is why the nails do not feel and do not sweat. This is also why if you hit the base of your nail too hard, you may "grow a strip" caused by damaging growth cells, sometimes permanently.

Moon: The white region in the shape of a half-moon at the base of the nail, which is the visible part of the array.

Epidermis: The thin layer of dead tissue that adheres to the nail plate. Be careful with the skin, especially if you like a good manicure. This layer of skin adheres to the nail to prevent the entry of bacteria and fungi. Damage to the skin and allowing it to rise from the plate can lead to annoying nail infections. Beware of overly aggressive manicurists; never exclude the skin.

Nail folds: The skin that folds, frames and supports the nail from three sides.

Here is the file of nail problems that you should pay attention to:

Tension

Stress can affect nail health, just as it affects hair. Nail growth will slow down, become more brittle and prone to peeling. With severe illness and tension, horizontal grooves may also appear extending from one side of the nail to the other, known as Poe lines. The changes are thought to be caused by high cortisol levels. Researchers have shown that during stress, cortisol increases not only in your body but also in your nails. For example, a 2016 study of 19 college students found that cortisol in nails was higher during exam periods. Another study revealed that 51 Asian medical students had higher nail cortisol when their perceived stress increased.

Vitamin deficiency

The way you eat will eventually show itself on your nails. Low zinc causes horizontal lines and inflammation around the epidermis, which can lead to infection. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to brown lines from the skin to the ends as well as smooth nails. Vertical stripes appear, to the extent that the nail can split, as well as pale, brittle and concave nails (the shape of a concave nail), appear with low iron levels. Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause discoloration from blue to black with longitudinal stripes, and low vitamin A leads to weak nails.

Low protein

It's not just about vitamins; vitamin A also affects nails because proteins are essential for making collagen, elastin and keratin, which are the building blocks of nails. When your body doesn't have enough protein, nail growth slows down, causing more breakage, splitting, flaking and cracking. Deep lines and a pale appearance may also develop. With severe protein deficiency, nails may become soft.

Melanoma

Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, can grow under your nails and usually appears as a dark vertical line (from top to bottom). These tumors are most common in the big toe, thumb or index finger, and account for only 0.7% to 3.5% of all melanomas, and are often aggressive. Unlike other skin cancers, these tumors are not associated with overexposure. Although anyone is at risk, it is more common among people of African, Asian or Hispanic descent, as well as among people between the ages of 50 and 70. The cancer begins in melanocytes called melanocytes in the nail matrix that activate and increase melanin production resulting in vertical brown to black lines below the nail. The lines may start small but may grow to cover the entire nail and extend to the epidermis. But not all dark stripes are skin cancer. Common nail moles can also appear similarly, and individuals with black and dark skin are more likely to develop benign pigment lines. To be safe, any color change or brown lines is worth visiting a dermatologist's office.

Nail care

Preventing underlying conditions affecting your nails isn't always possible, but there are steps to take to protect your nails.

Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet.

Consume adequate amounts of protein, zinc, biotin, vitamins A and C.

Moisturize your nails and skin and avoid cutting the skin or pushing it back.

Use nail hardeners in moderation, as overuse can weaken the nails.

Whether you keep your nails long or short, painted or normal, keep an eye on them for clues to your underlying health, and consult a doctor in case of any worrying changes.