Do you know about the 'factory' where your nails grow? Let's talk about the Nail Matrix!

We all look at our nails. Sometimes, when we see something like a white spot, a small line, or a bump on our nails, we get a little scared, don't we? "Is this some kind of disease?" You wonder. How do these nails actually form? What happens if the place where they form is damaged? That's the 'factory' that makes nails, we're talking about today. In medicine, we call this the nail germ, or Nail Matrix .

Simply put, what is this nail matrix?

Imagine your nail as a long, growing wall. The place where the bricks for that wall are made is called the nail bed. Simply put, the nails on your hands and feet are formed in this part called the nail bed. This is the root of our nail, located just under the skin.

There are two main parts to this nail bud:

• Germinal Matrix: This is where 90% of your nail growth occurs. This is the main site for the production of new nail cells.
• Sterile Matrix: This part contributes to the remaining 10% of nail growth. But it does something even more important: it helps your nail adhere to the skin underneath it (the nail bed).

Can we see this nail bud?

Most of the time, no. Most of it is at the base of the nail, just under the skin. But have you ever noticed the white crescent-shaped area at the base of your nail? Some people have it big, some people have it small. That's what we call the lunula . The lunula is the only part of the nail that we can see. But some people may not see the lunula at all. That's completely normal, so don't worry about it.

What happens if the nail bud is damaged?

Imagine getting your finger stuck in a door, or something heavy falling on your foot. Such an accident can damage your nail bed. It can also be affected by certain diseases.

• If there is minor damage: The appearance of the nail may change temporarily. For example,
• The formation of a blood clot (black color) under the nail.
• Ridges appear across the nail.
• The formation of dents in the nail.
• Feeling a difference when touching the nail.

• If the damage is severe: Sometimes the nail can fall off. But don't worry. Most of the time, once the nail bed heals, a new nail will start to grow back. But it can take weeks or months before you see a new nail emerge. Only in very severe cases of damage will the nail ever grow back.

What health problems affect the nail bed?

Not only accidents, but various diseases and other conditions can also affect the nail bed, causing changes in the nails.

Infections and illnesses

• Fungal Infection: This is especially common in toenails. Symptoms include yellowing, thickening, and easy breakage of the nails.
• Major medical conditions: When you have a serious condition like a heart attack, or an illness like COVID-19 or pneumonia, your nails may stop growing for a while, leaving streaks running across the nail. We call these Beau's lines .
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): This is a condition that reduces blood flow to the legs. This can slow down the growth of toenails.
• Medications: Some medications, such as chemotherapy for cancer, can cause nail ridges, slow growth, and white streaks. These often go away when the medication is stopped.

Skin diseases

• Eczema: If you have a severe case of eczema, it can affect the nail bed, causing pits, ridges, and discoloration of the nails.
• Psoriasis: A large percentage of people with this disease also experience nail problems. White streaks, pitting, and brittle nails may occur.
• Subungual Melanoma: This is a very important and concerning condition. It is a type of skin cancer that affects the nail bed. The main symptom is a brown or black line or spot on one of the nails.

If you notice a new brown or black discoloration on just one of your nails, don't ignore it. See your doctor right away.