It is a wonder as to why humans have acquired nails on our fingers and toes.Fingernails and toenails are an important part of humans and every living creature on this Earth. They are valuable as they have been used in many ways, in our day-to-day activities.The main purpose of fingernails in humans or any other living creature, like primates, is for strength, protection from viruses and bacteria from entering into the human body, and enhancing fine motor movements and sensation. Fingernails are important as they distinguish primates, including humans, from other mammals, most mammals have claws which they use to grab onto things, dig holes, and scratch things. The main function of fingernails is to protect the sensitive tips of toes and fingers.Fingernails are stronger than our hairs and skin as they contain keratin fibers which make the nails denser which shows that they are packed together. It is known that about 2.5 million years ago the early humans were the first to pick up stone tools which was the same time the ancestors also developed broad fingertips than earlier primates. There are three layers consisting from soft to hard and flattened to thick on the surface which is hard. In animals like monkeys, apes, and lemurs their broad fingertips and nails give them support and grip to climb trees underneath branches. Primates have broad fingertips than ours but our fingertips are wider than other primates like chimpanzees and orangutans.If you enjoyed this article, you can also visit more fun facts such as why do we have toenails and why do we have fingerprints.Why fingernails are present in all humans?Fingernails are important to humans as they can also predict our health and also help in other things like grabbing onto things and protecting sensitive fingers and toes. They are also useful in protecting us from injuries, help us in picking food bowls and grab things therefore early humans grew nails as well as broader claws and that’s how evolution worked. Fingernails are related to health issues, grab things, dig holes and animals use their fingernails and toenails scratch branches of the surface of the tree and climbing them.About 2.5 million years ago our ancestors grew nails and claws and were the first ones to pick up stone tools and they were the ones to grow broad fingertips than earlier primate cousins. It is good for humans for the evolutionary adaptation that fingernails and toenails have given us. They are used to pick up small and thin objects too and make a perfect balance, a nail might not have much sensation but the network of nerves are intricate underneath the hard shell. It was discovered by John Hawks, a biological anthropologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, that the fingernails are the main features that differentiate a human from a mammal. Claws are a better part if compared to nails as they do not take much time while grooming but the nails do and hawks have kept a claw for grooming their fur.How are fingernails useful?Fingernails and toenails are very useful for humans as well for animals too and we should know that they also have some job in our body, their hard surface protects the nails and toes from getting hurt through any object and from injuries. They are a tiny part of our body made up of keratin and the same is used in the making of hair and skin of humans and our fingernails and toenails were evolved before we were even born. They are attached to the nail root which is found under the cuticle, and their growth process is when the cells grow at the root of the nail and the new nail cells have the ability to push the old nail cells out. The old nail cells had developed flat fingernails and toenails and keratin is made by these nail cells. We get the pink color in our nails by a procedure that the nail follows that they sit on top of tiny blood vessels that feed it. Fingernails are a good source to provide a view on someone’s overall health. Fingernails and toenails are used to define various health issues like skin problems, lung disease, anemia, and other medical conditions. Sometimes our nails suffer from problems like an ingrown nail, nail injury, nail deformity, and hangnail, all these situations will be briefly described later. Nails also have traces of our DNA in them.Nails should always be in an excellent round shape which stops us from biting them and looking at them. Toenails are slowpokes, however, and do not grow as quickly as fingernails. The growth of fingernails is about 0.1 in (2.5 mm) each month and it takes at least three to six months to completely evolved and replace a nail. Getting your nails done has become a form of social bonding nowadays and can be traced millions of years back in our evolution. The nail meets our skin in our cuticle which helps protect the new nail as they produce a solution called keratin. Fossil evidence is the proof of humans evolutionary that they were the first beings to live stone tools and their fingernails were the biggest features to distinguish mammals from humans. They are more related to other health issues and without the help and presence of fingernails, it would become difficult for us to check-in emergency whether we are sick or not.Can fingernails predict our health?Yes, nails can reveal much about our health and can reveal clues whether we are sick or not. They function in a different manner and therefore in some cases, doctors have a look at our nails to identify what the problem is. It can be identified by various signs like a touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps and it can also identify other medical-related issues like problems in the liver, lungs, and heart. Your lunula. or the white moon, is easiest to see on your thumbnails which indicates a healthy body. There are many common nail problems that occur in our body, and it includes ingrown nails, nail injuries, nail deformities, and hangnails. Sometimes these issues can be handled at home but when you feel it is not working by home remedies, then consult a doctor as soon as possible. Broader fingertips in primates are developed for grasping. Many other problems can also be detected through nails, as our nails become evidence about our health. Problems like pale nails, white nails, bluish, yellow, ripped, cracked, or split nails, puffy nail fold, dark line beneath the nail, and gnawed nails are some issues that can be detected through our nails.It is not mandatory every time that nails give clues about our health. Still, if you are consulting a doctor regarding some medical health issue, they may predict the disease by looking at your nails that are related to the liver, lungs, or heart. And that’s why it is said in the case of doctors that a trained eye can detect the problem by looking towards the nail. Some people say that if your nails and even animals nails are strong but rarely break then the chance of saying that they are healthy is high. The nails of the hand as well as feet should always be clean as you may not get any infection. The fingernail should be flattened somewhat like claws which include primates also including humans to support broader fingertips, says the UW–Madison anthropology professor John Hawks. Monkeys, apes, and lemurs follow the process of grasping on trees, and then they climb and scratch the tree and their branches and grasp from tree to tree. There are three layers consisting of soft to hard and flattened to thick on the surface, which is problematic.How to take care of your fingernails?People take good care of their nails and remain very concerned about them as there are many diseases and fungi which could infect us through our nails. There is a fungus called Cordyceps that has the ability to keep our nails healthy in both our hands and feet. As it reflects our health we should take proper care of them and even dermatologists suggest ways to keep your nails clean and healthy.The nails of fingertips and feet should always remain clean and there are some ways like keeping them clean and dry, cut them straight across with proper duration, do not bite or chew them. Please do not use them as a tool and for different activities to grasp or dig until and unless needed, trim toenails on a regular basis, and try to wear shoes or any footwear that fits you properly without hurting your nails. Animals climb trees by scratching their nails and grasping on trees.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for why do we have fingernails, then why not take a look at why we have eyebrows or why birds chirp at night!
It is a wonder as to why humans have acquired nails on our fingers and toes.
