Five differences between the primate hand and the human hand!

Primates have ‘human-like’ short, flat fingernails! Did you know that far most primates have ‘human-like’ short, flat fingernails? Except for marmosets and tamarins, all primates have flat fingernails and toenails instead of claws. What are the major differences between the hands of primate species and the human hand? • 1 – Primates usually have a shorter thumb than humans – the thumb of the macaque (see photo on the left) does not rearch out behond the distal border of the handpalm. • 2 – Primates usually have a lower ‘2D:4D digit ratio’ than humans – the hand of the macaque is featured with a much longer ring finger (digit 4) than the pointer finger (digit 2). • 3 – Primates usually have more fingerprint- and palmar whorls than humans – the hand of the macaque is featured with 5 palmar whorls. • 4 – Primates always have a lower ‘ridge density’ than humans. • 5 – Primates usually have (various) palmar transversal hand creases, a.k.a. ’simian lines’ – the hand of the macaque has one ’simian line’. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING: • PRIMATE HANDS – Finger length linked with social behavior! • Understanding our past: the human hand vs. the primate hand! • The Monkey Palmist! • Hands in the perspective of evolution! • More interesting stories about the hands of primates! PHOTO: Impression from the hand of a chimpanzee:

FINGERNAILS – 3 Signs of Health Problems: Beau’s lines, yellow fingernail syndrome & nail pitting!

Your fingernails can provide clues to your overall health. But do you know how to read the signs? MayoClinic presented a slideshow of various signs of possible health problems: Learn about some nail conditions that might require medical attention. If you have a nail problem that doesn’t seem to be going away, or is associated with other signs and symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked out. 3 IMPORTANT FINGERNAIL PROBLEMS: Causes & remedies of Beau’s lines: Beau’s lines are indentations that run across your nails. They can appear when growth at the area under your cuticle is interrupted by injury or severe illness. Diseases or illnesses associated with Beau’s lines include: • Circulatory diseases, such as peripheral artery disease; • Illness associated with a high fever, caused by pneumonia, scarlet fever, mumps or measles; • Uncontrolled diabetes; • Malnutrition. Causes & remedies of yellow fingernails: Yellow nail syndrome concerns the yellow discoloration in your fingernails may result from a respiratory condition, such as chronic bronchitis, or from swelling of your hands (lymphedema). In yellow nail syndrome, nails thicken and new growth slows, resulting in discoloration. Nails affected with this condition may lack a cuticle and may detach from the nail bed in places. Although this condition is often a sign of respiratory disease, it’s possible to have yellow nails and not have a respiratory condition. Yellow nails may also result from any condition that causes the growth of your nails to slow down. Causes & remedies of nail pitting: Small depressions in the nails are common in people with psoriasis — a skin condition that produces scaly patches. They may also result from nail injuries. Pitting may cause your nails to crumble. Pitting is also associated with conditions that can damage your nail’s cuticle, such as chronic dermatitis of your fingers or alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss! MORE RELATED SOURCES: • Nail disorders in the hands of children! • Nail disorders in the hands of the elderly! • More news & facts about fingernails!

Short, clean fingernails may prevent you from catching the H1N1 influenza virus! (swine flu)

Swine flu (H1N1) prevention starts with proper hand hygiene! Hand sanitation for swine flu prevention begins with proper hand hygiene. Clean, short fingernails are absolutely essential for good hand sanitation because organic material can easily hide under fingernails. The circled hand in the picture above is a good example of good nail hygiene! An overview of the latests new findings in how ‘hand hygiene’ is linked with the spread of the H1N1 influenza A virus (a.k.a. swine flu, or the Mexican flu): • Is ‘hand hygiene’ still the best strategy for swine flu prevention? • ‘Hand-to-face touch’ is a crucial link to catching swine flu! • Hand washing is a defence, but may not stop the swine flu virus! • More reports on hand hygiene! • Discover the basic principles of proper hand hygiene! A funny and provocative video on how the H1N1 virus spreads:

Michael Jackson: ‘fingernails of time’!

Michael Jackson’s fingernails in time! Were Michael Jackson’s dark fingernails + nail moons caused by his health condition? Was his nail condition the result of medication/drug abuse?? Or, did the color of his fingernails look ‘weird’ merely because the color of his skin had become lighter over the years??? Obviously, during the past few months many people got wondering about those questions. Therefore a new PHOTO ESSAY on Michael Jackson’s finger nails is presented in order to find permanent answers. A QUOTE FROM THE PHOTO ESSAY: “Between 1989 and 1999 his skin had become lighter, and the condition of his fingernails became a bit more ‘pink’. But at the Michael Jackson meeting with Nelson Mandela the color of his fingernails appeared as quite ‘balanced’ and ‘normal’ (possibly only a bit ‘faint’ in the center of the nail plate). In the last period of his life (2006 – 2009) his skin had become a bit whiter, however his fingernails had become darker and appeared to have ‘brownish’ look: the condition of his fingernails could no longer be described as ‘normal’.” RELATED STORIES & MORE: • In memoriam: the hands of Michael Jackson! • Famous hands: the hand of celebrities! • ‘Hand facts’ – News reports about hands!

Nail disorder in the lunula – Blue nail moons: a.k.a. ‘Azur lunulae’!

FINGERNAIL DISORDERS: Blue lunula

How to recognize ‘blue lunulae’? A blue (purple) lunula is characterized by a bluish color of the nail moon (notice: the nail moon usually has a ‘whitish’ color). Common causes for a blue nail moon: In general blue nail moons are an indiation for circulatory problems (cold weather may be a part of the cause), or a lack of oxygen (smoking and/or obesity might play a role in this!). More rare causes blue lunulae can be: • A drug’s side-effect; • Wilson’s disease (genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in tissues); • Argyria (a condition caused by improper exposure to chemical forms of silver); If the condition persists, it would be wise to consult the opinion of a doctor – for, even though this is a clinical sign of a simple condition, the cause can actuallly be more severe as well. MORE DETAILS: THE COLOR & SHAPE OF THE LUNUA: Do you have a lunula nail disorder?

PHOTO – Where to find the lunula, a.k.a. the’nail moon’:

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING:
• The FINGERNAIL TUTOR: an online nail disorder identification tool!
• 20 Common nail disorders!
• More reports about nail disorders!
• More hand & fingernail facts!

Your fingernails, hair and ears are the only body parts that grow untill you die!

Fingernails, hair and ears are the only body part that show considerable constancy of growth untill the moment of death. Though many people assume that the nose grows until beyond the age of retirement, the ‘Handbook of normal physical measurements‘ describes that by fact with age the nasal bridge rises producing a more prominent root – which implicates that the nose is not growing much beyond age 18! Some facts reported by the Telegraph about fingernail & ear growth are: “The actual rate of nail growth one may (or may not) be interested to learn is 0.123mm a day. But what is remarkable is its staggering constancy over many years – almost as if the nails were aware of the higher purpose they are intended to serve.” “The only other body part (besides the hair) that shows a similar constancy of growth in adulthood are the ears. They increase in size by the same amount in a year as the nail does in a day. This compensates for the gradual age-related decline in hearing – and accounts for why those in their seventies and eighties have apparently oversized ears. Who says there is not a Designer?” RELATED STORIES ABOUT NAILS & MORE: • Examining fingernails in the hands of children! • Examining fingernails in the elderly! • The latest news about fingernails • Find more hands & fingernail facts at: ‘HandFacts’

William B. Bean’s 35 year study on fingernail growth!

In 1941 Dr. William Bennett Bean started his study on nail growth. His investigation began back in 1941 when he filed a horizontal line just above the cuticle and then measured its stately progress up the fingernail. The American physician subsequently published his findings – once (incorrectly) described as the most boring scientific study ever undertaken – as “Nail growth: 35 years of investigation”. The actual rate of growth one may (or may not) be interested to learn is 0.123mm a day. But what is remarkable is its staggering constancy over many years – almost as if the nails were aware of the higher purpose they are intended to serve. The growth slowed remarkably when Dr Bean was laid low by mumps, but compensated by doubling its speed for the following six months. Disease and trauma might be expected to have an adverse effect, but not so: the nails accelerate as if to “grow out” the damage – a fifth as fast again in regular nail-biters. The only other body part (besides the hair) that shows a similar constancy of growth in adulthood are the ears. They increase in size by the same amount in a year as the nail does in a day. A milestone in William Bean’s nail growth research concerns his 1963 paper: ‘A Discourse on Nail Growth and Unusual Fingernails’ William Bennett Bean (8 Nov 1909 – 1 Mar 1989) American physician and author. His research in nutrition included induced vitamin deficiencies in humans. He contributed more than 500 articles to professional journals, served on editorial boards, and wrote several books. RELATED STORIES & MORE: • Research says: ‘nails grow faster on a protein-diet & vitamin D!’ • Lee Redmond’s story behind ‘World longest fingernails’! • The latest news about fingernails • More fingernail reports at ‘HandFacts’

In 2009 nails grow 25% faster than 70 years ago: about diet, environment & lifestyle!

Nails grow 25% faster than 70 years ago!

Fingernails grow faster on a protein diet & vitamin D! Last months researchers from the University of North Carolina presented a study in which they monitored 195 fingernails and 188 toenails over a period of three months. Then they compared their results with studies on nail growth that were in 1938 and the 1950’s. The new study points out that today people’s fingernails grow 25 percent faster than 70 years ago!

THE RESULTS IN A NUTSHELL: The new results revealed that fingernails now grow by 3.47mm every month – almost twice as fast as toenails. Thumbnail growth rate was 3mm a month in 1938 and 3.06mm in the 1950’s study. However, the average thumbnail now grows by 3.55mm a month – an increase of more than half a millimetre over seven decades. The little finger nail grows much more slowly than other fingernails, at a rate of 3.08mm each month. The middle finger has the fastest-growing nail. The results also confirmed that the nails of younger people and men grow faster. Nails tend to grow faster in summer. Cold environments and smoking are factors that can slow down growth. FOOD & LIFESTYLE: A rapid change in the environment, lifestyle and health conditions – such as diet, physical activity and body composition – has occurred over the past 30 years. During post-war rationing, foods rich in protein were scarce. Instead, diets consisted of carbohydrate-rich foods such as potatoes and bread. However, the modern diet is rich in protein from readily available fish, meat, eggs and poultry – may be behind the spurt in nail growth. Teresa Smith, director of a mobile manicure service said: “Nail length has increased, the main reason being that we have a far more healthy, balanced diet. Also, people are more aware of their bodies’ nutritional needs. The sun does help nails grow faster, too, because of Vitamin D. And people tend to drink more water in the summer which flushes out toxins and makes the body healthier, so nails grow stronger.” MORE ABOUT GROWING LONG FINGERNAILS: • New research says: ‘nails grow faster on a protein-diet & vitamin D!’ • About fingernails & medical hand analysis! • More research reports about nails! • Lee Redmond was on a protein-diet when she grew her record ‘world longest fingernails’!

Gordon Brown’s improved fingernails – did the fingernail biting British leader lost his nerves?

Since as early as 1997 British media have reported about Gordon Brown’s fingernails – the British prime minister is often described as a nervy fellow, known for chewing his fingernails! And untill earlier this summer his fingernails didn’t show much improvement – despite many fingernail photo shoots over the years. However, now that growing voices predict the fall of Gordon Brown from the political theatre … his fingernails are now (finally) looking shiny & bright!! The DailyMail reported 2 weeks ago: “You might think there is a lot for Gordon Brown to be anxious about at the moment. An ongoing recession is crippling the country, he’s miles behind in the polls and there’s the ongoing suspicion of a Labour plot to replace him as leader. But as he took to the stand today at the TUC conference in Liverpool, the chronic nail-biter of the past appears to have put an end to the ghastly habit.” READ MORE: • More about Gordon Brown’s fingernails! • About the psychology behind fingernail biting! • How to treat nail biting in adults? • More celebrity fingernail reports – including: Beyonce, Rhianna, Megan Fox, Naomi Campbell, Eve & Lee Redmond Gordon Brown’s fingernail shoot – september 2009: Gordon Brown’s fingernail shoot – march 2007:

‘Onychomycosis’ is a common nail fungus problem, usually not related to poor hygiene!

‘Onychomycosis’ is the medical term for nail fungus – which is usually the result of a living organism that thrives in dark, damp environments such as under and around nails. This nail disease is commonly misunderstood: it is usually NOT related to poor hygiene! Fungal infections are very common on both fingernails and toenails. Toenails are more likely to be affected by onychomycosis since it is attracted to a dark and damp environment which is more common on the foot than on the hand. A common cause of ‘onychomycosis’ in the fingernails is… artificial nails!! SOME STATISTICS ON ONYCHOMYCOSIS: “Up to 50% of people over the age of 50 have a nail fungus infection to some degree. Approximately 10% of worldwide population suffers from onychomycosis. The prevalence of childhood onychomycosis is estimated 0.2%. The typical age range for onychomycosis in children is 6-14 years of age.” This disease is commonly misunderstood and left untreated for various reasons. nail fungus, in particular, is notoriously difficult to treat. Onychomycosis is usually a chronic condition that progresses to involve more of the nail and other toes. Even if you lose the affected nail, the nail that grows back is usually also still affected by the fungus. RESULTS OF TREATMENT ARE USUALLY POOR: There are some internal medications available by prescription that help fight onychomycosis, but they can have severe side effects such as upset stomach, headaches and liver damages. Also mixing these drugs with other medications can be extremely dangerous. Not to mention the cost. Some of the nail fungus prescription medications can cost well over $1000 by the time treatment is complete. Studies show that there is only 35-50% complete cure rate after 72 weeks of using these prescription medications as a nail fungus cure. Topical medications are helpful in treating early small infections. They just aren’t capable of penetrating the nail to reach all of the fungi, so most prove unsatisfactory as a nail fungus cure. SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER READING: • Onychomycosis in fingernails is often due to artificial nails! • Onychomycosis in the hands of children! • Onycholysis – when fingernails turn white or yellow at the distal part of the nail plate