What is the lunula nail?

The moon or lunula (Lunula Nail) is that whitish semicircle that you sometimes see on the underside of your nails. Your lunula is actually part of the nail matrix. You may only be able to see it in your thumbnails or maybe not. Don't worry if you don't see a lunule on one of your fingers. That is not a big problem. It's right there, right under your skin.

The nail bed extends from the lunule to the hyponychium. A set of ridges on the underside of the nail plate extends to the moon, with small vessels carrying blood and other fluids oriented on the same axis.

The epidermis of the nail bed is mainly thick and becomes thicker at the creases of the nail. La dermis es fina y contiene muy poca grasa.. There are also sweat channels at the end of the nail bed (Lunula Nail).

The nail has a multitude of functions, including protective, mechanical, thermoregulatory, cosmetic, and economic functions. Nails are a rigid barrier for the distal fingers and prevent hypertrophy that has been found to be the result of a right toe avulsion. The free edge of the nail is a useful tool for grabbing small objects and scratching. The nail contributes to tactile perception by exerting a counter-pressure on the fingertips. Global bodies help regulate body temperature by diverting blood flow from capillaries. Nails are a platform for aesthetics, which provides occupancy for many. If the nails become too long, they can lead to functional decline, as shown by the decrease in grip strength and striking speed with a larger nail length.

However, not all nails are normal. If you notice, contact your doctor or dermatologist:

• • Changes in the color of the nails, for example, discoloration of the entire nail or dark stripes under the nail.
  • Changes in the shape of the nail, for example, crooked nails.
  • Thinning or thickening of nails
  • Separation of the nail from the surrounding skin
  • Bleeding around the nails
  • Swelling or pain around the nails
  • Failure to grow nails

A note about manicures and pedicures

If you rely on a manicure or pedicure to get healthy nails, remember some things. Stay in salons with a valid national license and only work with technicians who also have a national license. Do not remove nail skins - they seal the skin to the nail plate, so removing them can lead to infection of the nails. Also, make sure that your nail technician properly sterilizes all the tools used during the procedure to prevent the spread of infection.

You can also ask how the foot baths are cleaned. Ideally, a bleaching solution is used between customers, and filters are cleaned regularly.

It is easy to neglect the nails, but taking some basic steps can keep the nails healthy and strong.

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Figure 1. Fingernail (Lunula Nail)

How nails grow

The nail matrix: Each nail begins to grow from a small pocket under the skin. It is the root of the nail and is called the nail matrix. The nail matrix constantly forms new cells. These new cells force old cells to pack up and grow through the skin. By the time the nail (Lunula Nail) comes out of the skin (where it can be seen), these cells will be dead. Therefore, cutting the nails does not hurt.

The cuticle: You may have heard of other parts of the nail, such as nail skins. This is a small strip of skin where your finger grows out of your finger. It protects the root or matrix from microbes.

The lunula: A small whitish crescent shape, which you sometimes see at the bottom of your nails, is called the lunula. It's part of the matrix. Maybe you only see it with thumbs, or maybe not at all. Don't worry if you don't see the lullaby on any fingers. It's not a big deal. It's right under your skin.

Some interesting facts about nail growth are:

• • The nails grow very slowly, and the toenails grow even slower.
  • If you lose one due to a nail injury, it will take half a year for the nails to grow back. If you lose toenails, it can take a year and a half for them to grow back!
  • Fingernails grow faster on larger fingers and right hands when you are right-handed, and on your left hand if you are left-handed.
  • Also, fingernails grow faster during the day and in summer.

Nails production (Lunula Nail)

The nail consists of a substance called onhyn, which is formed as a result of the death of germ cells, that is, cells that become different types of cells. The nail is formed from these cells when pushed upwards.

Nails are formed in three regions of the perionychium - the germ matrix, sterile matrix, and nail matrix.

Germinal matrix

Most of the nail produces a germ matrix (about 90% of the volume). This matrix extends from the base of the nail to the lunula. The cells of the matrix multiply by the process by which the cells become flattened and pushed forward and upwards while maintaining their nuclei (the central body of the cell). This preservation gives the nail a white color through the arc of the lunula (nail "moon") (Lunula Nail). When the kernels are gone, the nail is clear, showing the pink color through the nail lining.

Sterile matrix

The sterile matrix contributes to the formation of nails since the nuclei of its cells decompose. When this happens, 1-2 layers of germ cells grow upwards and attach to all surrounding nail cells. These cells then become part of the nail, which is produced by the germ matrix and develops with it towards the tip of the nail. Therefore, the end of the nail becomes thicker to compensate for the wear of the surface.

Nail matrix

The nail matrix produces nails in a similar way to a sterile matrix on the nail. The nail matrix produces a gloss of the nail, and the removal of this part results in the loss of the gloss of the nail and the formation of an uneven surface.

Nails care (Lunula Nail)

Since your nails are important and even help your doctor find out if you are healthy or not, it is important to take care of them. Here are some tips and objections about nail care and toenail nails.

TO DO:

• • Keep them short and clean. Use every week or a couple of times a week to trim nails with good nail pruners or small scissors. If you let your nails grow too long, they are more likely to break and microbes will fall under them, which can make you sick.
  • Cut them into the shape of a fingertip, slightly straight, but slightly rounded from the sides so that they are strong.
  • Cut your nails straight using the dedicated nail trimmer. This will help prevent ingrown toenails.
  • Some people use a nail slice or grinding board (it looks like an ice cream rod with a rough surface) to smooth out the ends of the nails. Make sure the file is not old and boring. It works better when it's new. Rub it very gently back and forth along the tip of the nail to remove all rough edges.
  • Dry your hands very well after washing or moisturizing.
  • Rub the cream nails in, especially if your hands are dry.
  • A healthy and balanced diet keeps the nails strong.
  • Change your socks every day.
  • Wear flip-flops in the public shower and pool to prevent infections caused by a fungus that can get into the nails.

DON’T:

• • Bite your nails or pick the skin around your nails. It can cause infection, and it also hurts!
  • Skin or pick things with your nails. It could harm them.
  • Cut or push back the nail skin, it is a small strip of skin in which the nails grow out of the finger. This can lead to infection.
  • Use a nail polish remover more than twice a month. It's very heavy on the nails.
  • Use acrylic nails (artificial nails), as they can be very harmful to the nail and are not recommended for use.
  • Wear shoes that are too tight, which can narrow your eyes.

If you have a nail problem, ask your doctor.

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The Lunula Nail, Everything You Need To Know About

Common nails (Lunula Nail) problems

Most often, your nails are pink and healthy, but sometimes there are problems with the nails:

Ingrown nail:

When the nail curves down and into the skin, causing pain and sometimes infection.

Nail injury:

If you drop something on your big toe or get stuck in a drawer with your finger. A bruise may occur under the nail, and sometimes the nail falls off. Instead, a new one will grow.

Nail deformity:

If the nail is not smooth, like a healthy nail. This problem can occur in people who bite or pinch their nails a lot, but it can also occur if someone has a disease that damages the nails.

Hangnail (Lunula Nail):

When a loose strip of dead skin hangs off the edge of the nail. Nails are painful when removed.

Terry's nails:

For Terry's nails, most of the nails are white, except for the narrow pink strip top. Terry's nails can sometimes be due to aging. In other cases, Terry's nails may be a sign of a serious underlying disease, such as liver disease, heart failure, kidney failure, or diabetes.

Nail inflammations:

Nail inflammations (nail inflammations) are common in psoriasis patients - a condition characterized by boiling spots on the skin. Nail inflammation (Lunula Nail) can also be associated with connective tissue disorders such as Reiter syndrome, and alopecia areata - an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss.

Spoon nails:

Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look like they have been torn off. Depression is usually large enough to hold a drop of fluid. Leftovers are often a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver disease called hemochromatosis, in which the body absorbs too much iron from the foods you eat. Spoon nails can also be associated with heart disease and hypothyroidism.

Nail clubbing:

Kicking nail syndrome occurs when the fingertips widen and the nails bend around the fingertips, usually over the years. Cagneux nails are sometimes the result of low oxygen levels in the blood and can be a sign of different types of lung disease. The booted nail is also associated with inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and AIDS.

Beau’s lines:

Beau's lines are hollow lines that run through the nails. Clefts can occur when the growth of the area under the skin is interrupted by a serious injury or illness. Diseases associated with beau lines include uncontrolled diabetes and peripheral vascular diseases, as well as diseases associated with high temperatures, such as fiery red fever, measles, mumps, and pneumonia. a zinc deficiency can also be caused by beau's lines.

Read more about Beau's Lines:

Beau’s lines “Beau’s Ridges”: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Yellow nail syndrome:

With yellow nail syndrome, the nails thicken and the new growth slows down. This results in yellowish discoloration of the nails. Nails (Lunula Nail) affected by yellow nail syndrome may lack a cuticle and, in some cases, detach from the nail bed. Yellow nail syndrome is often a sign of respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis. Yellow nail syndrome can also be associated with swelling of the hands (lymphedema).

Nail separation:

with a condition known as onycholysis, the fingernails or toenails loosen and can separate from the nail bed. The separate part of the nail becomes opaque with a white, yellow, or green tint. Nail loosening is sometimes associated with injury or infection. In other cases, the separation of the nails is a reaction to a particular drug or consumer product, for example, in relation to the hardening or adhesives of the nail hair. Thyroid diseases and psoriasis - a disease characterized by the appearance of scaly spots on the skin - can also cause nail separation.

Figure 2: Terry’s nails

Footnote:

Terry's nails show almost all the ground glass turbidity of the nail, with A - not visible lunula and B - on the distal border there is a narrow normal strip of pink nail pad.

Read Also about Nail Pitting:

Nail Pitting: Signes, Causes and Treatment.. 7 Important Questions you need to know about nail pitting

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