Cuticle Health Dictionary

A thread-like structure composed of dead cells containing keratin, a fibrous protein. The root of each hair is embedded in a tiny pit in the dermis layer of the skin called a hair follicle. Each shaft of hair consists of a spongy semihollow core (the medulla), a surrounding layer of long, thin fibres (the cortex), and, on the outside, several layers of overlapping cells (the cuticle). While a hair is growing, the root is enclosed by tissue called a bulb, which supplies the hair with keratin. Once the hair has stopped growing, the bulb retracts from the root and the hair eventually falls out.

Hair is involved in the regulation of body temperature (known as thermoregulation). If the body is too cold, arrector pili muscles in the skin contract, pulling the hairs upright to form goose pimples. Erect hairs trap an insulating layer of air next to the skin.Brittle hair may be due to excessive styling, hypothyroidism, or severe vitamin or mineral deficiency. Very dry hair

can be caused by malnutrition. Ingrown hairs occur when the free-growing end of the hair penetrates the skin near the follicle, which may cause inflammation. (See also hirsutism; hypertrichosis.)... hair

A hard, curved plate on the fingers and toes composed of keratin (a tough protein). Nails grow from an area called the nail bed. At the base of each nail a half-moon shape, the lunula, is crossed by a flap of skin called the cuticle. The surrounding skin is known as the nailfold. A fingernail takes about 6 months to grow from base to tip; toenails take twice as long.

The nails are susceptible to damage through injury, or by bacterial or fungal infections, especially tinea and candidiasis. Sometimes they become abnormally thick and curved: a condition known as onychogryphosis. Nail abnormalities may be a sign of skin disease, such as alopecia areata, psoriasis, and lichen planus, or of more generalized disease, for example iron-deficiency anaemia. Unusual nail colour may indicate disease.

Treatment of nail disorders can be difficult. Creams and lotions seldom penetrate sufficiently; oral medication may take months to be effective.... nail

A winged-like expansion of cuticular integument of nematodes; an expansion at the oesophageal region called “cervical alae”, e.g. in Toxocara species, or at the posterior end called “caudal alae” and in the larval stages of some nematodes the expansion may extend almost entire lateral aspects of the body, these expansions are called “lateral alae”. In Oxyuridae, e.g. Enterobius vermicularis, the cuticle at the anterior end expands dorso-ventrally into “cephalic alae”.... ala

The thickening of the cuticular lining of buccal cavity; buccal capsule may be large, small, vestigial or absent. In some nematodes, the cuticle lining within the buccal capsule may be modified to be chitinous teeth or cutting plates as in Ancylostomatidae or a stylet as in Trichinelloidea.... buccal capsule

An umbrella-like expansion of the cuticle at the posterior end of some male nematodes as in Ancylostomatidae and Metastrongylidae. The bursa is supported by elongated stalks called “rays”. The shape and size of the bursa and the arrangement and size of the rays are used for identification of the nematodes... bursa

A corn is a localised thickening of the cuticle or epidermis (see SKIN) affecting the foot. The thickening is of a conical shape; the point of the cone is directed inwards and is known as the ‘eye’ of the corn. A general thickening over a wider area is called a callosity. Bunion is a condition found over the joint at the base of the big toe, in which not only is there thickening of the skin, but the head of the metatarsal bone also becomes prominent. Hammer-toe is a condition of the second toe, often caused by short boots, in which the toe becomes bent at its two joints in such a way as to resemble a hammer.

Corns and bunions are caused by badly ?tting shoes, hence the importance of children and adults wearing properly ?tted footwear. Corns can be pared after softening in warm water, or painted with salicylic acid collodion or other proprietary preparations. Bad corns may need treatment by a chiropodist (see CHIROPODY). Bunions may require surgical treatment. Regular foot care is important in patients with DIABETES MELLITUS.... corns and bunions

A splitting of the skin (cuticle) at the side of a ?ngernail. In manual workers it is usually caused by trauma, but ISCHAEMIA of the ?ngers (see also RAYNAUD’S DISEASE) may predispose to the condition. Secondary infection and in?ammation may make hang-nail a very tender condition; treatment consists of reducing trauma, and the use of EMOLLIENTS and ANTIBIOTICS if necessary.... hang-nail

Stages of insect growth and development. In mosquitoes there are four larval instars, each terminating with the shedding of the cuticle.... instars

An extension of cuticle around the mouth of nematodes; there may be three, one dorsal and two subventral as in Ascaroidea or two as in Spiruroidea or absent as in Strongyloides and Filarioidea.... lip

Chewed nails and cuticles wound the skin on one of its most exposed areas. Chronic nail-biting has been known to cause osteomyelitis of finger bones due to staphylococcus aureus from direct spread through macerated tissue. After ablutions, paint nails with Tincture of Myrrh, daily. ... nail biting