What are nails? Human nails, as is the case with most mammals, are horny plates covering the ends of the toes and arms. The nail root protrudes and covers with itself the skin of the finger, on the sides of the plate are twisted, squeezing the skin. That part of the nail that we can see and feel is called the nail body.
What is a healthy person’s nail?
A healthy nail is smooth to the touch, has no color, slightly convex. Numerous capillaries shine through the plate - it acquires a pink hue.
The area and thickness of the stratum corneum depends on the gender, age of the person, his genetic characteristics and occupation. The pattern on the nail is individual and is formed from protrusions and indentations. Each person’s own nail growth rate. During the day, the plate increases by an average of 0.1 mm. The process of complete regeneration of the nail takes about 170 days.
Can a person not have nails at all?
Fingers without nails are obviously unusual. The nail plates of people are subject to a huge number of diseases, among which infectious diseases occupy a place of honor. We are talking about candidiasis, pyoderma, etc.
Pathological changes in the nail can be caused by nervous, mental, endocrine and other systemic ailments. It should be noted the frequency of traumatic and professional injuries of the stratum corneum. However, if fingers without nails at all, we are talking exclusively about hereditary pathology - anonychia.
Anonychia - features of a hereditary disease
This is a rare hereditary disease in which a person has completely or partially missing nails. Pathology can manifest itself on both the arms and legs. In the case of the described disease, at the place where the nail should grow, there is something more reminiscent of the beginnings of a nail plate.
Against the background of a hereditary disease, the patient develops additional abnormalities in the body. This means that he has not only fingers without nails, but also has problems with skin and hair - the structural component of the epithelium, sebaceous glands and hair is violated.
Experts do not exclude the fact that a person acquired the disease during his life. This can occur due to serious injury, complications of an external ailment. Anonychia, or lack of nails, can be a consequence of a disorder of the patient’s nervous system.
Why does a nail peel off?
Almost every person in his life faced a situation when a nail got off his toe or arm. The most common cause of what happened is prior damage, impact, or pinching of the stratum corneum. As a result, the nail can deform, change color and fall off.
Why is this happening? For example, you pinch your finger. Mechanical action on the nail plate led to rupture of blood vessels under it, possibly bruising. This will be followed by pain, redness of the plate and the finger itself. Over time, changes occur in blood cells that lead to a change in the color of the resulting hematoma - it becomes green, blue, or even yellow. A “bruise” is an area of tissue that is no longer attached to the base. For this reason, the hematoma gradually exfoliates, the nail leaves the finger.
First aid for nail injury: a list of manipulations
In case of injury to the nail plate, a series of manipulations should be carried out:
- remove shoes, socks (gloves, if it comes to hands);
- put an injured finger under a stream of cool running water or lower it in a bowl of water;
- in case of bleeding and severe hematoma, apply a cold compress;
- disinfect the wound with iodine or another antiseptic.
If the nail remained in place during the injury but was significantly injured, blood will begin to accumulate under it, which will cause its further detachment. To prevent blood coagulation, you should try to remove it from under the nail. After this manipulation, the pain will decrease, and the nail may not come off.
If the nail tears after the injury, you should not expect it to grow back quickly. The entire period of growth of the nail plate can last for a year. In order for the new nail to have an attractive appearance, you should wear comfortable shoes (in the case of legs) and avoid possible injuries.
Obviously, nails are an integral part of a healthy human body. Fingers without nails lose not only their aesthetics, but also their functionality. Not only genetically predisposed may face a similar problem. Banal finger injury can lead to the development of complications and loss of the nail. That is why you should not ignore the means of protection of the hands and feet in the process of performing specific work. In the event of an injury, one should not wait to seek medical help, even if the symptoms do not seem threatening.