Your Fingernails-- Do You Take Care of Them?.........~kari~

Your Fingernails Do You Take Care of Them?

**some interesting information on your nails**

IF SOMEONE asked you, May I have a look at your nails? how would you react? Would you gladly show your well-kept nails, or would you immediately hide your hands behind your back? You might have good reason to hide your nails. Maybe they just do not look nice, or perhaps you are a nail biter. Knowing more about the marvelous anatomy of our nails will help us to appreciate them better and can motivate us to take good care of them. Your nails are mainly made up of hardened dead cells containing the fibrous protein keratin. The rate at which fingernails grow varies from finger to finger and from person to person. Nails grow at an average rate of about 0.12 inches [3 mm] per month. Nails left to grow without cutting may reach a considerable length. According to The Guinness Book of World Records 1998, an Indian man let the five nails on his left hand grow to a combined length of 241 inches [574 cm]. His thumbnail measured 55 inches [132 cm]. ((A Complex Structure> At first glance you may think of the nail as just one piece, the nail plate. You might therefore be surprised to learn that nails may be considered to have a number of major visible parts as well as some that you cannot see. Let us take a closer look at the nail structure. 1. Nail plate. This is the hard structure we normally refer to as the nail. The nail plate consists of two layers, the upper and the lower. The cells in these two parts are arranged differently and grow at different speeds. The upper surface is smooth, while its inner surface has parallel crests that correspond to ridges on the nail bed. These ridges are unique in each individual and may serve as a means of identification. 2. Lunule. This is the half-moon shaped whitish part at the base of the nail plate. Not all fingers have a visible lunule. The nail grows from a small area of living tissue at the base of the nail plate, called the matrix. This is the most vital part of the nail unit. The lunule is the end of the nail matrix and, as such, the visible part of the living nail. The rest of the nail plate is composed of dead cells. 3. Nail folds, proximal and lateral. These refer to the skin surrounding the nail plate. This skin is called the nail fold because it does not end at the nail plate but folds under and covers the emerging nail plate. These skin folds protect and support the surrounding areas of the nail. 4. Eponychium. This is the tiny strip of the skin fold that appears to end at the base of the nail plate. At times, this is referred to as the cuticle. 5. Cuticle. The true cuticle is a tiny extension underneath the eponychium. It is a colorless layer of shed skin that adheres to the surface of the dorsal nail plate. 6. Free edge. The part of the nail plate that grows beyond the fingertip. 7. Hyponychium. Found underneath the free edge of the nail, this tissue forms a watertight seal that protects the nail bed from infection. ((Their Usefulness> Our nails are useful in many ways, such as for scratching. They come in handy when peeling an orange, undoing a knot, or manipulating small objects. Furthermore, the nails support and protect the sensitive and fragile fingertips. Not to be overlooked is the aesthetic significance of the nails. Our nails may reflect good or poor grooming habits. They play an important role in ordinary gestures, and if well kept, they may beautify our hands. Without them, we would be hampered in our daily life, and our hands would look incomplete. ((Right Care Makes Them Stronger> As part of our wonderful body, our nails should be properly cared for. If you have a serious nail disorder, you should see your doctor. As a matter of fact, at the tip of your fingers, you may have signs of some physical problem. Yes, it is claimed that some physical ailments can be determined by looking at your nails. Would an extra intake of calcium or vitamins make nails stronger? In answering this question, Professor Bo Forslind, a researcher on the subject of nails at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, told Awake! There is no evidence available to support that view. Analyses of the calcium content in normal nails show only traces of this element. What definitely helps to keep your nails strong and flexible, though, is water. As mentioned before, nails contain keratin. These keratin strands need water to be flexible. Professor Forslind gives an example: Although a piece of your nail may be flexible when you first cut it, the same nail clipping will be very brittle when it has dried overnight. Moisture will keep your nails flexible and strong. But where does this moisture come from? The nail plate appears solid, but it is permeable. Moisture from the nail bed moves upward through the nail plate to its surface, where it evaporates. What can be done to prevent the nails from drying out and to keep your nails strong? Professor Forslind says: Daily treatment with oil will be beneficial. ((Caring for Their Growth and Beauty> Since the nail grows from the matrix, proper care of this part of the nail is essential. Stimulating the matrix by regular massaging with cream or oil can benefit the nail plate. In addition, putting a drop of oil under the free edge of the nails can also be helpful, as it keeps the nail from drying out. The way you file or cut your nails can make them strong or weak. It is recommended that you file your nails from the side toward the middle. Keep in mind that filing the corners away will weaken the nail. This will create a pointed nail, which is the weakest shape of all, since it has no support on the sides. For strong short nails, it is recommended that you let your nails grow straight out to about 1/16 inch [1.5 mm] at the sides and file a round shape that follows the contour of the fingertip. Some women might like to have their nails a little longer. But here is a word of caution. Nails that are too long might attract undue attention as well as stop you from doing ordinary work. So keep a balanced view of the length of your nails. If you do, your nails will be an asset and make a good impression on others. Never, say the experts, pick your nails with a sharp tool. This can cause damage to the hyponychium, the tissue underneath the free edge of the nail. This tissue forms a tight seal protecting the nail underneath. If this area is damaged, the nail might even separate from the nail bed and become infected. To clean under the nails, use a very soft brush. Strong and healthy nails are somewhat the result of inherited factors. That is why some people have strong and flexible nail plates, while others have dry or brittle nails. Whatever the condition of your nails, you can improve their looks with modest and regular care. Yes, understanding the structure, function, and proper care of the nail unit gives you the know-how. Using such information wisely will produce good results. The fingernails are indeed a marvelous part of the human body. Their structure and function bear witness to the ingenious mind behind them. King David of ancient times humbly expressed his admiration for his Creator, as recorded at Psalm 139:14: I shall laud you because in a fear-inspiring way I am wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, as my soul is very well aware.



**This information is from the 5/22/98 copy of the Awake**

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