All About Fingernails
Quite sadly, most people disregard the health of their fingernails. They do several things for the health and fitness of their body, and even for their hair and teeth. But there are very few people who are genuinely concerned about their nails. This is a very sorry condition because the nails are one of the most prominently visible parts of the body. They are a very important aspect of the human esthetic beauty and can be decorated in several ways, especially by the ladies, to make a fashion statement. The overall hygiene and health of the fingernails say a lot about a person in general. It is time that we sat up and looked at our nails closely.
Here's all about fingernails that you need to know for taking good care of them.
Nails – Their Anatomy
The nails that we take for granted are actually a very complex biological structure. Here we explain in layperson's terms what these individual structures are:-
1. Nail plate – The most prominently visible portion of the nail is known as the nail plate. In healthy persons, this part shows up with link pink coloration and also has a typical luster.
2. Lunula – The basal portion of the nail that is visible in a fainter color than the rest of the nail is known as the lunula. The sizes of the lunulae are different in different people. But in all people, the lunulae continue seamlessly to form the nail plate.
3. Cuticle – The cuticle is the part where the nail appears to meet into the skin of the finger or toe at the base. This is the area from where the nail enters into the finger or toe.
4. Nail root and Nail matrix – The nail root is the portion of the nail that is situated inside the finger. This is not a very large portion, but it provides anchorage to the nail. The area where the nail root communicates with the internal area of the finger or toe is called as the nail matrix. If the nail matrix is unhealthy, the results are quickly seen on the rest of the nail.
5. Nail bed – The nail bed is the underside of the nail. Though this is not visible externally, it commands a lot of the overall health of the nail.
Nails – What does their Health depend on?
Nail health depends on a lot of factors. Here we list the important ones:-
1. Diet – Nail health is totally dependent on the diet that we eat. As a simple example, if our diet is deficient in the mineral zinc, the nails will develop white spots.
2. Stress – Stress can directly affect the health of the nails, because it can cause poor circulation of blood to the nail root and the nail matrix.
3. Compulsive habits – Some people have compulsive habits that involve their nails. Biting the fingernails is the best example of this. Another habit is of tapping hard surfaces with the fingers. Such habits can cause traumas and injuries to the nails.
Environmental exposure – In damp and dark conditions, nails can be prone to problems such as fungal infections. This is very common in the toenails because they are kept cloistered in shoes and socks for lengthy periods of time. Even continual exposure to soaps, detergents, nail polish and chemicals can play havoc with the health of the nails.
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