Episode 17: Autobiology Kids asking What's In a Pimple and What's Up With Toenails?

Episode 17: In another episode of Autobiology Kids with Daphne and Faith, we are talking pimples, toenails, fingernails, and lots of other random things!

Pimples
Inside pimples there is pus = dead white blood cells. White blood cells are what fights off foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses, and other germs that cause infection

Why do we have toenails?

The main function of toenails is likely for protection, compared to enhancing grip or the fine motor functions the fingernails have.

The tops of the toes are vulnerable to injury and, as we’ve all learned the hard way, stubbing. By having a protective nail on top of the toe, the toes are less vulnerable to injury and infections.

Some slight differences in purpose are reflected in rates of nail growth. Fingernails grow around twice as fast as toenails, according to a small 2010 study.

This study of 22 healthy American young adults found that fingernails grow an average of 3.47 millimeters (mm) a month, while toenails grow an average of 1.62 mm a month.

The big toenail grows the fastest on the feet, while the pinkie fingernail is the slowest growing of the fingernails.

Fingernails have greater blood flow, in part because they’re closer to your heart.

What are fingernails and toenails made of?

Fingernails and toenails are comprised of three layers of tissue called keratin. Keratin is a tissue type that has amino acid proteins. Keratin is naturally present in your hair and nails. It’s also a component found in other animals, including horse hooves.

The way keratin cells link to form together can influence the consistency and feel of the fingernails. For example, the nail layers are made of soft, moderately hard, and hard keratin. These all come together to create the protective shield you know as your fingernails.

While the keratin cells are no longer living (which is why you can trim your fingernails and toenails), they represent formerly living cells that needed nutrients and proteins to survive.

When you consider this, it’s easy to see how deformities in the nails can indicate potential underlying problems, such as nutritional deficiencies.

Did you know that fingernails can predict health?

Fingernails may be potential indicators of underlying medical conditions. In fact, doctors frequently assess fingernails to help diagnose different medical conditions. Common nail disorders that may indicate underlying health conditions include the following:

Clubbing. Clubbing causes an extreme curve and rounding appearance to the fingernails.
Concavity. Also known as koilonychia, concavity occurs when the nails bend up at the sides, making a U shape instead of a traditional C shape.
Pincer. Pincer nails are very rounded, almost as if the nail side edges are trying to touch.
Pitting. Pitting causes multiple, shallow depressions in the nail area.
Horizontal lines. The fingernails naturally have up-and-down lines. When lines appear side-to-side and have a whitish, pale tone to the nail plate, doctors call these Muehrcke’s lines.
Black line or band. While this can be a normal variation to some people’s nails, a new, longitudinal light to dark brown band on the nail could indicate something else.
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Website: https://autobiology.net/
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