Anatomy & DisordersQuestion 69 of 100
A client has a dark stain on her natural nail close to the base and asks how long it will take to grow out completely. Based on normal nail growth, what should you tell her?
a.About 4 to 6 months, because a fingernail grows roughly 1/10 inch (about 2.5 mm) per month
b.About 3 to 4 weeks, since the whole nail is replaced every month
c.About 2 years, the same as any nail on the body
d.It will never grow out, because the stain is in the nail bed
Explanation
A healthy fingernail grows about 1/10 inch, or roughly 2.5 mm, each month, so it takes about four to six months for a completely new plate to replace the old one. A nail is nowhere near replaced in a month, and two years is far longer than even a toenail needs. Telling her the stain is in the nail bed would be guessing at a medical explanation, which a manicurist may not do.
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