What are fingernail moons?
Here's what the little Halfmoon under our fingernails means. The human body is truly remarkable however it's sometimes easy to take it for granted. Your body is constantly giving you all sorts of signs and some of them you might not even know about.
Take the lunula, for example, these are the pale Half moon-shaped patches under our fingernails that most of us ignore every day but did you know these features actually serve some very important purposes.
This crescent-shaped patch is called a lunula which actually means small moon in Latin.
You can see why it's given its name, doesn't it look like a crescent moon hanging in the night sky.
You might assume that everyone's lunulae looked the same but they actually appear in different ways on each person. For many people, the lunulae are most visible on their thumbs.
Lunulae are part of your nail matrix. The matrix refers to the tissue just beneath your nail. It contains nerves, lymph, and blood vessels. They are responsible for making new cells, the cells that become the hardened nail plate which is then pushed out of the skin together. The lunula or lunulae is the visible portion of the matrix. As the lunula comprises the newest portion of the nail, it is believed that it can give an insight into a person’s health.
Although everyone has a nail matrix, not everyone will see or have a lunula on each nail. Those who do have a lunula may notice that they vary in appearance across each nail.
What do healthy lunulae look like?
Healthy lunulae are usually a whitish color and take up a small portion of the bottom of your nail. They’re usually most visible on your thumb.
You may notice that they appear smaller on your pointer finger, gradually shrinking in size until you reach your pinkie where they may be barely visible.
It's crucial to the overall health of the nail. If you can't see yours, don't panic there are other ways to determine the health of your nail. This way is just a bit easier for those who can see it. So why exactly does this tiny bit of exposed root matter in your daily life? If it gets damaged the rest of the nail won't grow properly.
What does the absence of lunula suggest?
The absence of lunula can mean several things. It is linked with malnutrition, medical condition, or depression. There are different reasons why the lunula changes colour or disappears.
Malnourishment: The deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body, especially Vitamin B12 can change the nails. Your nails may even turn brownish-grey.
Anemia: People suffering from anemia might also notice the difference in their nails. When suffering from anemia, our body fails to produce enough red blood cells. This causes oxygen deficiency and paleness, which makes the lunula disappear.
Kidney problems: Even people dealing with kidney problems do not have half-moons on their nails. Moreover, they notice a brown band at the tip of the finger.
Lung and heart disease: In some cases of lung and heart disease also our nail changes texture and colour. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, and collagen vascular disease are some common ones.
Other reasons: Diabetes, silver poisoning, and yellow nail syndrome are some other health conditions in which the lunula changes colour and appears different from normal.
You'll especially want to keep your eye on your fingers and if you notice a dramatic change like this in your own little moons, don't hesitate to contact your doctor immediately. You might feel a bit silly but a call like this could be the one to save your life.
What does it mean if my lunulae are small or missing?
Small or missing lunulae usually aren’t cause for concern. They’re usually just hidden underneath the cuticle or skin at the base of your finger.
In some cases, missing lunulae may be a result of trauma or a sign of:
• anemia
• malnutrition
• depression
If you’re experiencing other unusual symptoms, such as fatigue or overall weakness, make an appointment to see your doctor. They can perform a physical exam to help diagnose the cause of your symptoms and advise you on the next steps.
What if my lunulae are large?
Researchers don’t know what causes the lunula to take up a significant portion of the nail.
Some reports suggest that lunulae may signal issues with the cardiovascular system, heartbeat disruption, and low blood pressure.
Unscientific theories claim that large lunulae may be common in athletes and people who engage in lots of physical activity. This may be due to the bodily stress associated with high-impact activities, but there is currently no research to back up these claims.
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