So Why Do We Have Toenails? - Sutherland Podiatry (2024)

I know this is one of those mysteries you have always wanted to know, like what happened to Amelia Earhart? Where is Cleopatra buried? Who killed JFK? Why do you have toenails?

So today is your lucky day as I reveal this mystery and you can tick it off your bucket list! In all seriousness, toenails do have a very important function.

Why do we have toenails?

First and foremost, we have toenails to protect your toes. Have you ever stubbed your toe on some furniture or dropped something heavy on your toes? I have and I bet you have as well. If you did not have a nail at the end of your toe, an injury like this would severely damage or fracture the small bones at the end of your toes. Toenails can withstand an enormous force applied to them, and act like Captain America’s shield, saving the phalange (the small bone at the end of your toe).

Your nail also helps with your proprioception. That is your body’s ability to sense movement, action, and location. An example of this is knowing whether your feet are on soft grass or hard concrete with looking. Without toenails, you would struggle to feel the ground properly and hence increase your risk of a fall.

What are toenails made of?

Toenails are made of keratin, this is an essential protein that is found in your nails, skin and hair. Although how fast your nails grow depend on how much keratin is produced by your body, toenails grow significantly slower than your fingernails. Other factors come into play here, like blood supply to your nails, damage to the nails to name a few.

Potential problems to your toenails

Apart from the obvious stubbing and dropping items on your toes, there are a few other problems that can occur to your nails, and you should see us as soon as possible:

1. Ingrown toenails – if you have ever suffered from this condition, you will know how painful it can be. Ingrown nails can be caused by poor cutting technique, a distorted nail shape (the sides of the nail curl into the toe) or the nail has been ripped accidently. However, the ingrown nail has occurred this is one job you really can’t do for yourself, you need a trained podiatrist to fix this ASAP.
2. Fungal toenails – here your toenail becomes discoloured by a fungal infection, it can start off as a small patch on your nail, then overtake your entire nail. There are a variety of bugs that can cause a fungal nail infection, it could be a whiteish patch on the top of the nail, or could be yellowish/brown discolouration that thickens and erodes the nail plate. Whatever the pathogen is, the longer you leave this, the harder it is to treat.

If you have any toenail problems that have you concerned, contact us a Sutherland Podiatry Centre on 9542 3491, or you can book online (see the button at the top of this page).

Until we see you next week,

The Team from Sutherland Podiatry Centre