| For something that’s dead, nails are important since | | | | popular belief, they don't breathe. So they don't require |
| they perform many different functions. Without them, it | | | | oxygen. However, the nail beds and the cuticles are |
| would be impossible to do certain things. | | | | live cells and they do need oxygen, vitamins and |
| Nails or claws (if you want to be more specific) help | | | | minerals,” according to the people at |
| animals catch and tear the food they eat. Humans | | | | Toenails are thicker than fingernails but the latter grow |
| who are blessed with eating utensils don’t rely on | | | | faster. It takes about four to six months for fingernails |
| nails to eat. However, they protect the ends of the | | | | to grow back while toenails take from 12 to 18 months. |
| fingers and toes, and enable us pick up small things. | | | | In general, men’s nails grow faster than |
| Some male guitarists, particularly classical and | | | | women’s nails. Young people and pregnant women |
| fingerstyle players, grow long nails to serve as guitar | | | | also have fast growing nails. |
| picks and help them pluck strings. Without nails, it would | | | | “Seasons and weather also affect nail growth. Nails |
| also be impossible to scratch whatever itchy part you | | | | grow faster in warm climates and during daytime, than |
| have! | | | | in cold climates and at night. Nails grow at different |
| Nails grow from the nail root that is found underneath | | | | speeds on both hands. If you are right-handed, the nails |
| the skin. They are made of keratin, the main protein in | | | | on your right hand will grow faster than the nails on |
| skin and hair. The hooves of a horse and bird feathers | | | | your left hand and vice versa. Light trauma, like typing |
| are also made of keratin. This makes the nail cells | | | | on a computer stimulates nail growth. Well, this kind of |
| harden. As new cells form underneath, they push out | | | | trauma looks more like a massage actually,” said |
| the hard cells that we see as nails. | | | | the people at |
| Contrary to popular belief, nails don’t grow after | | | | Nails reflect a person’s state of health. When you |
| death since they are already dead in the first place. | | | | are sick, it will definitely show in your nails. One of the |
| They appear to be growing since the skin shrinks. | | | | most common nail problems is onychomycosis, a |
| Neither do nails perspire since they don’t have | | | | fungal infection of the nails that can make your nails |
| sweat glands. What gets wet is the skin around the | | | | ugly and deformed. To prevent this, take good care of |
| nails. Since they are dead, nails don’t need food or | | | | your nails by washing and drying them thoroughly, |
| nourishment either. Their pink color comes from the | | | | wearing well-ventilated shoes and synthetic socks that |
| tiny blood vessels underneath. | | | | absorb perspiration, and using a good foot powder. |
| “The nail plates are dead cells and contrary to the | | | | |