For example, one symptom of the inflammatory skin condition psoriasis is the separation of the nail plate from the bed. ANSWER: Weak fingernails often can be strengthened with some basic self-care steps. More rarely, they’re a sign of an underlying medical condition. Therefore, every individual must take care of their fingernails. It’s a good thing we have nails to protect the soft fleshy tip of our fingers or they wouldn’t last a week, particularly early on in our evolution. fingernails can reveal lung, heart, and liver diseases. Speak now. Andrew Weil, M.D. There is a VERY GOOD reason why you have toenails - so that you can walk on two feet (rather than four feet with hooves)! It serves as a protective plate and enhances sensation of the fingertip. You can do all the tearing and peeling listed above with your fingernails removed. The human nail is a plate of keratin that lies on the tips of the fingers and toes. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Self-Care Can Strengthen Weak Fingernails. Azure lunula . I just want to know what the purpose of nails are. A fingernail is produced by living skin cells in the finger. The easiest ways to keep fingernails healthy is to drink sufficient amounts of water, eat healthy, exercise, keep the nails clean and moisturized. Picking off nail polish and pressing on your nails can cause them to peel. Authors: Doug Schoon and Ana Seidel Nail Anatomy – The Different Parts of the Fingernail. Disclaimer: This article is purely for informative purpose, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. We evolved from a digging animal, which existed at the time of the dinosaurs, which is why our fingernails grow much faster than our toenails. 67% Upvoted. share. The protection function of the fingernail is commonly known, but the sensation function is equally important. What Are Fingernails? "One of the most interesting facts about fingernails is that they are often a marker for disease within the body," Rieder says. 12 comments. Azure lunula describes the phenomenon where the moons of the fingernails take on a blue discoloration. Imagine having to dig into the soil or pull at some flesh with nothing to back up the tender part of the finger? Why Are My Fingernails Blue? The fingernail acts as a protective plate and enhances sensation of the fingertip. 0 shares 1 min The medical term for the bluish hue of the skin, including underneath the fingernails, is cyanosis. Prior to that time, they still existed as claws, in a more generalised form, though. The nail color of fingernails and toenails can reveal certain serious health conditions for instance white nails may be indicative of kidney or liver disorders or anemia. If a nail bed is injured, the nail might develop white spots, although these spots generally diminish over time. Sort by. DEAR MAYO CLINIC: My fingernails are thin, and they tear and split easily. Blue fingernails can be the result of hypoxemia, an abnormally low amount of oxygen-carrying hemoglobin within red blood cells. Why is this a religious debate? Protection of the digits. Is there anything I can do to make them stronger? Nails: Structure & Function Posted on July 8, 2015 July 8, 2015 by Paawanee Nails are one of those key parts of our body, which are not only the primary focus of wellness regimes of many men and women, but also serve as a potent indicator of a person’s health. So, here I’ll share what purpose fingernails serve. Ask a Question + Ask Question Protection and Support. The main purpose of the nails are to protect the fingers and toes, however, the fingernail also assists with certain physical activities in … They were selected for, evolutionarily, on that basis, for forward digging using the forelimbs and claws, specifically. The protection function of the fingernail is commonly known, but the sensation function is equally important. Key Points: Healthy fingernails and toenails should be white as it grows off the nail bed and the nail plate a pinkish color. If the purple color is caused by an injury … Nails can also reveal certain aspects of our health. Peeling nails can result from trauma to the nail.