How does a nail grow? Some think that due to cell division at the free edge. However, it is not. The growth zone is located in the matrix of the nail - part of it comes out from under the back roller and is called a lunula, or hole. All people have different hole sizes. Someone may even doubt whether he has it. With regular rolling of the roller and cutting of the cuticle, the holes have a beautiful shape, and when the state is running, they overgrow and become almost invisible.
The condition of the hole directly depends on the matrix cells deep under the nail. That's why when treating nails, medications that are taken orally help more. The supply of oxygen to the nail and nutrients occurs through the blood vessels that penetrate the matrix tissue. What is visible from the outside is already formed, keratinized tissue. It is possible to fix its cosmetic defects, but it is impossible to cure a damaged nail by external exposure.
How to grow a nail
Nails are appendages of the skin. All nutrition in them occurs through the smallest blood vessels. Under the microscope, you can see their structure. These vessels branch into numerous capillaries, penetrate the entire nail bed, but do not go beyond a certain border.
In the photo there are two nails, under the letter A - healthy, under B - sick. The latter shows broken capillaries and scattered rare fibers. He is loose, heterogeneous.
The nail matrix is a thin layer of cells that produce onychoblasts. The so-called cells containing keratin. Of these, keratin fibers are formed, which make up the visible part of the nail.
The matrix layer begins under the lunula and continues under the entire nail bed, so the nail grows in two directions: from the cuticle to the free edge and from the bottom of the nail bed to the surface. Onychoblasts constantly formed by the matrix, in turn, are pushed out by new cells. In old age, because of the narrowing of the vessels, the fibers have too much keratin, and such nails are called senile.
Nail structure
The nail is protected on all sides by rollers. The back layer is called proximal. It is connected with a nail by a thin film called eponychium. This skin brings a young nail to the surface, after which it becomes no longer needed. She also has another name - pterygium. When the film is not removed from the nail plate, it pulls the skin of the roller along with it and can grow to the middle of the nail. Often this leads to the appearance of gaps with a sharp movement of the hand forward. It is removed during a manicure.
Under the nail is the nail plateau, or bed. It is rich in blood capillaries, therefore, with any trauma, blood is not easy to stop. Here continues the fabric of the matrix of the nail, which has a much smaller layer than under the cuticle. This determines the different growth rate of the parts of the nail: on the surface of its cells move to the free edge three times slower than those that are directly in contact with the bed.
Nail Matrix Injuries
When damage to the matrix occurs, its thin tissue loses some of the cells that synthesize keratin. In this place, the nail will never form again. It will not be possible to restore it, and instead of a solid nail plate, the skin will grow. Often this change is observed in athletes. Some sports are traumatic for nails. These are football, volleyball and gymnastics. If the ball hits hard, the nail plate can be broken and the nail matrix can be affected. Unsuccessful landing during a fall causes the same. In such cases, it is important to consult a doctor immediately to ensure proper wound healing.
Injury of the nail matrix may be due to external influences. In ordinary life, there are not many situations where you can damage it. Basically, this is the removal of the cuticle during manicure or pedicure. It is better to clean the eponychium less carefully than to earn a crooked nail for life. But this can happen. In addition to the wrong manicure, household injuries happen: a blow with a hammer on the finger, pinching it in the door, cut with a knife. Many injure the matrix in childhood. Constant monitoring of the child will help to avoid unnecessary damage.
Nail fungus
It is very difficult for a healthy person to get nail fungus. His exposure to spores suppresses immunity. But with age, the body's defenses change, blood vessels are disturbed, and the nutrition of nails changes. But in this case too, the matrix is not damaged immediately. With a long absence of treatment of the fungus on the skin of the interdigital spaces in conditions of constant humidity and the presence of microtraumas (corns, cracks, scuffs), the lesion affects the nail bed, and then the matrix.
In the photo, the nail matrix is already infected with a fungal infection. The appearance of the entire nail plate has changed. It will take a long treatment to correct this situation.
It should be remembered that the predisposition to the defeat of fungal infections does not go away with the cure of nails. This is the result of changes in total metabolism, its acidification. You will have to change your lifestyle, follow a diet and restore normal acid-base balance.
Nail Matrix: treatment
With nail plates that are corroded by the fungus, there is no talk of folk remedies, lotions or ointments. A long-term drug treatment is ahead. The fungus killing agent was discovered only at the end of the twentieth century. And relatively recently, drugs acted aggressively on the liver. But at present, the active substance accumulates in the skin and its appendages, is rapidly excreted from the body and does not harm the gland. Therefore, treatment of damage to the nail matrix should not cause concern.
When taking the tablets, personal hygiene should be observed to avoid re-infection. The course of administration is long: the nail is completely replaced after four to five months. This period also needs to be guided. A sick nail is constantly cut off, and a new one begins to grow healthy from the matrix. First, a hole appears, then healthy pink tissue begins to spread to the entire nail.
Ingrown nail and the consequences of its removal
On the feet, nails can grow into the side roller, causing pain and discomfort when walking. Some seek help from a surgeon. He advises to solve the problem radically and removes part of the nail along with the matrix. The cut area cannot form onychoblasts. In the future, the nail grows narrower. Here's what happens if the nail matrix is removed.
But the tragedy is that fundamentally such an operation does not help. Relapses very often happen, and the person again goes to the surgeon. After the second operation, the nail grows even narrower. A man is shy about walking in open shoes. And the nail continues to grow. The circle closes.
This will not happen if you turn to another doctor - a podologist. He deals with all problems of the foot, including heals and corrects abnormally growing nails. If making an appointment with him is difficult, go to the pedicure room. In such cases, a medical pedicure is required: removal of the ingrown tip, application of a staple or tamponade. In some cases, it is possible to restore the nail on the day of treatment with composite materials.
Nail prosthetics
If the nail matrix is damaged, it cannot be fixed. It affects the formation of the entire nail plate, and it can grow incorrectly, making the general appearance of all fingers unattractive. In such cases, nail prosthetics help - performing shape correction using composite materials. Do the same after hitting or pinching.
In the photo, a finger that has lost part of the nail plate due to a hammer blow. It can be covered with solid polymeric materials that will prevent further injury.
This procedure resembles nail extension. Only in this case, not only the length, but also the width of the nail plate is often increased. Any pedicure master can handle this. He will simulate a nail, give it a natural look or cover it with decorative varnish. You can achieve a complete resemblance to healthy nails.
Conclusion
Those parts of the body that are hidden from public view require more care. Such is the matrix of the nail. As long as it is closed with a skin fold, everything is in order. And if something goes wrong - the sooner you come to his aid, the better. Take care of it, and your nails will always be beautiful and healthy.