Tully AS, Trayes KP, Studdiford JS. Evaluation of nail abnormalities. Am Fam Physician. 2012 Apr 15. 85(8):779-87. [QxMD MEDLINE Link]. In case of acute paronychias, treatment methodology includes the use of oral antibiotics, warm-water soaks, and surgical drainage. In chronic paronychia, patients are advised to avoid any possible irritants or triggers, and use topical antifungal medications and steroids, or go for surgical intervention. Langan, Robert C.; Zawistoski, Kimberly J. (15 June 2011). "Update on Vitamin B12 Deficiency". American Family Physician. 83 (12): 1425–1430. PMID 21671542. Manicures (for the hands) and pedicures (for the feet) are health and cosmetic procedures to groom, trim, and paint the nails and manage calluses. They require various tools such as cuticle scissors, nail scissors, nail clippers, and nail files. Artificial nails can also be fixed onto real nails for cosmetic purposes.

Finally, the nail functions as a tool enabling a so-called "extended precision grip" (e.g., pulling out a splinter in one's finger), and certain cutting or scraping actions. The nail sinus ( sinus unguis) is where the nail root is; [3] i.e. the base of the nail underneath the skin. It originates from the actively growing tissue below, the matrix. [ citation needed] In mammals, the growth rate of nails is related to the length of the terminal phalanges (outermost finger bones). Thus, in humans, the nail of the index finger grows faster than that of the little finger; and fingernails grow up to four times faster than toenails. [10] Janis JE, ed. Nail bed injuries. Essentials of Plastic Surgery: A UT Southwestern Medical Center Handbook. St. Louis, Mo: Quality Medical Publishing, Inc.; 2007. 560-7. The conditionas also called as nail atrophy, results in atrophy or wasting away of the plate thus making it lose its sheen. The body of nail gets smaller and in some cases, falls off completely. Onychatrophia can affect adults (men and women), infants and children, and toe as well as fingernails. Onychatrophia is not likely to cause discomfort or pain. This often occurs after an ailment or injury.Inherited accessory nail of the fifth toe occurs where the toenail of the smallest toe is separated, forming a smaller "sixth toenail" in the outer corner of the nail. [23] Like any other nail, it can be cut using a nail clipper.

A study of the fingertip morphology of four small-bodied New World monkey species indicated a correlation between increasing small-branch foraging and:

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Simms, Janet (2003). A Practical Guide to Beauty Therapy for NVQ Level 2. Nelson Thornes. ISBN 9780748771509. A healthy fingernail has the function of protecting the distal phalanx, the fingertip, and the surrounding soft tissues from injuries. It also serves to enhance precise delicate movements of the distal digits through counter-pressure exerted on the pulp of the finger. [2] Wang, Quincy C; Johnson, Brett A (May 2001). "Fingertip Injuries". American Family Physician. 63 (10): 1961–6. PMID 11388710. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008 . Retrieved 10 March 2010.