Our nails are often considered an afterthought, something we trim, buff and paint with pretty colors. However, our nails play an essential role in protecting our fingertips, and they have some interesting functions worth exploring.

Here are five surprising facts about your nails you may not have known before.

Nails have a Purpose

While our nails may seem like useless extensions of our fingers, they serve an essential purpose: to protect our fingertips. Fingertips are prone to injuries and infections, and nails act as a protective layer, keeping foreign objects, and bacteria out.

Nails also help us pick up small objects, grip things more effectively, and navigate our environment with greater dexterity.

Nails are Made of Layers

Nails are made of a protein called keratin. The protein is arranged in layers that grow from the matrix, located under the nail bed. As the layers push up and harden, they create the hard, translucent surface we call nails.

The white half-moon shape at the base of our nails, known as the lunula, is the visible part of the matrix.

Related Article Exploring the Mysteries of Your Nails

Nails Grow at Different Rates

Did you know that not all your nails grow at the same rate? Nails on the dominant hand grow slightly faster than those on the non-dominant hand. Nails on fingers grow faster than toenails and grow more in the summer months than in winter months.

Nails also grow faster in children, pregnant women, and seniors. It takes about six months for a fingernail to grow from the matrix to the end of the nail.

Our Nails Reveal our Health

Our nails reveal much about our health, and changes in the appearance or texture of our nails can indicate underlying health issues.

For example, yellow nails could indicate a fungal infection, while white spots on nails could indicate a calcium deficiency. Blue nails could suggest a lack of oxygen, while spoon-shaped nails could be a sign of anemia. Changes in nail color, shape, thickness, or texture should be reported to a doctor.

Our Nails can Reflect our Lifestyle

Believe it or not, our nails can reveal much about our everyday habits and lifestyle. Nails that are bitten and chewed down could indicate anxiety, while nails that are well-manicured suggest attention to detail and self-care.

Constantly wearing nail polish could lead to discoloration and weakening of nails, while having long, painted nails could suggest a need for self-expression or an interest in fashion. Our nails can say a lot about who we are.