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 nail matrix - its part comes out from under the posterior roller and is called the lunula, or hole. Every person has a different hole size. Someone may even doubt whether he has it. With regular retraction of the roller and cutting of the cuticle, the holes have a beautiful shape, and when they are neglected, they overgrow and become almost invisible.
The state of the hole directly depends on the matrix cells located deep under the nail. That is why drugs that are taken orally are more helpful in treating nails. The supply of oxygen and nutrients to the nail occurs through the blood vessels that permeate the matrix tissue. What is visible from the outside is already formed, keratinized tissue. You can fix her cosmetic defects, but you can’t cure a damaged nail with external influence.
How a nail grows
Nails are appendages of the skin. All nutrition in them occurs through the smallestblood vessels. Under a 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.
There are two nails in the photo, under the letter A - he althy, under B - sick. The latter shows broken capillaries and scattered sparse fibers. It is loose, heterogeneous.
The nail matrix is a thin layer of cells that give rise to onychoblasts. This is the name of the cells containing keratin. Keratin fibers are formed from them, 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, are in turn pushed out by new cells. In old age, due to vasoconstriction, the fibers have too much keratin, and such nails are called senile.
The structure of nails
The nail is protected from all sides by rollers. The back layer is called the proximal. It is connected to the nail by a thin film called eponychium. This skin brings the young nail to the surface, after which it becomes no longer needed. She 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 tearing when the hand moves forward sharply. It is removed during a manicure.
Under the nail is locatednail plateau, or bed. It is rich in blood capillaries, so it is not easy to stop the blood in any injury. Here continues the tissue of the nail matrix, which has a much smaller layer than under the cuticle. This determines the different growth rates of the nail parts: on the surface of its cells move to the free edge three times slower than those that are in direct contact with the bed.
Nail matrix injury
When the matrix is damaged, its thin tissue loses some of the cells that synthesize keratin. A nail will never form in this place again. It will no longer 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. With a strong impact of the ball, the nail plate can be broken and the nail matrix is affected. Failed landing while falling causes the same thing. In such cases, it is important to see a doctor right away to ensure that the wound heals properly.
Injury to 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 a 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 improper manicure, household injuries occur: hitting a finger with a hammer, pinching it in the door, cut with a knife. Many traumatize the matrix in childhood. Constant surveillancebehind the child will help to avoid unnecessary injury.
Nail fungus
It is very difficult for a he althy person to get infected with nail fungus. His exposure to spores suppresses the immune system. But with age, the body's defenses change, blood vessels are broken, the nutrition of the nails changes. But even in this case, 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, abrasions), 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 long-term treatment to correct this situation.
It should be remembered that the predisposition to fungal infections does not go away with healing nails. This is the result of a change in the general metabolism, its acidification. You will have to change your lifestyle, diet and restore a normal acid-base balance.
Nail matrix: treatment
With nail plates eaten away by a fungus, there is no talk of folk remedies, lotions or ointments. There is a long-term medical treatment. The agent that kills the fungus 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 excreted from the body quickly and does not harm the gland. Therefore, the treatment of damage to the nail matrix should not cause concern.
When taking pills, personal hygiene should be observed to avoid re-infection. The course of admission is long: the nail is completely replaced after four to five months. This is the time frame you need to focus on. The diseased nail is constantly cut off, and a new one begins to grow he althy from the matrix. First, a hole appears, then he althy pink tissue begins to spread to the entire nail.
Ingrown toenail and the consequences of its removal
On the feet, nails can grow into the side bolster, causing pain and discomfort when walking. Some turn to a surgeon for help. He advises to solve the problem radically and removes part of the nail along with the matrix. The excised 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 such an operation does not radically help. Very often there are relapses, and the person again goes to the surgeon. After the second operation, the nail grows even narrower. A person is embarrassed to walk in open shoes. And the nail continues to grow. The circle closes.
This will not happen if you go to another doctor - a podiatrist. He deals with all foot problems, including treating and correcting improperly growing nails. If it is difficult to make an appointment with him, they go to the pedicure room. In such cases, a medical pedicure is necessary: 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 compositematerials.
Prosthetic nails
If the nail matrix is damaged, it cannot be repaired. It affects the formation of the entire nail plate, and it can grow incorrectly, making the overall appearance of all fingers unattractive. In such cases, nail prosthetics helps - the correction of the shape with the help of composite materials. They do the same after being hit or pinched.
The photo shows a finger that lost part of the nail plate due to a hammer blow. It can be covered with hard polymeric materials that will prevent further injury.
This procedure resembles a nail extension. Only in this case, not only the length, but also the width of the nail plate is often increased. Any master of a pedicure will cope with it. He will model the nail, give it a natural look or cover it with decorative varnish. You can achieve complete resemblance to he althy 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 by 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 he althy.
