About Toenails
Finger- and toenails are the primate's answer to claws. The hard, flat structure of nails improves grip and sensitivity by supporting the tips of the fingers and toes. Toenails are amazingly tough, so they provide some protection to the ends of your toes.
-
Features
-
Toenails are porous structures made from the protein keratin. Keratin cells are produced in the matrix, which is located under the skin at the base of the nail plate called the proximal fold. The matrix is responsible for determining the shape and thickness of the nail plate. The skin under the nail plate is called the nail bed. The cuticle, or eponychium, which originates at the proximal fold, protects the matrix from infection by sealing it away from the external environment. The half-moon shaped lunula that fronts the proximal fold represents the part of the nail root that extends into the nail bed. Toenails grow about 2 to 3 mm per month. It takes an average of 12 to 18 months to regrow a toenail.
Prevention/Solution
-
Keep your toenails clean, dry and well-trimmed. You should cut them straight across to avoid an ingrown nail. If your toenails are especially thick, try soaking them in warm salt water for 5 or 10 minutes and then applying a lotion such as urea or lactic acid cream to soften them up before trimming. Always wear shoes with adequate space for your toes and toenails. Be sure tools used to trim and care for your toenails are sanitary. Many salons now use products such as gel or cream cuticle removers rather than cuticle scissors.
-
Considerations
-
Ingrown toenails, a common problem, can occur if your toenails aren't properly cut (i.e., straight across) or your shoes are too tight. The toenail curves down under the skin of the lateral folds. If you do get an ingrown nail, you need to see a specialist. DO NOT try to "dig it out" yourself. You could end up with a serious infection.
Considerations
-
Most infections that afflict the toenails are fungal, the most common of which are dermatophytes and yeast. Sometimes you can get rid of this type of infection with a topical antifungal agent; they usually require some kind of oral prescription medicine. In spite of the fact that there is an inherited tendency for fungal infections, these rarely occur in children.
Bacteria may also be the source of a toenail infection, which manifests as redness, swelling and pain around the skin folds. These infections usually follow some sort of injury or trauma to the nail but may also be due to overexposure to water or chemicals.
Warning
-
Toenails may also be the harbingers of a variety of maladies, including lung or kidney disease, psoriasis or other connective tissue disorders, poor nutrition or a drug reaction. If the color or shape of your toenail changes, or if you see white or black lines, dents or ridges in your toenails, see your doctor.
-
