Why do toenails grow so much slower than fingernails?

Toes are just plain lazy.

(lol, Lolo)

I think it’s evolutionary – we tend to use our fingernails more, so they break off more, and so it’s helpful for them to grow faster. We don’t really use our toenails that much…or ever, just about.

Perhaps more early humans lived longer to have more babies by having fast-growing fingernails than did by having toenails. That’s just my theory.

Not so sure that they do. Just seems that way I guess. What do you look at more often ?

if everyone wore firm gloves all the time do you think this would still be the case?

@tennesseejac
Yes. There is no selective pressure to change that attribute in humans.

@Vinifera7 if you always wore a hat would your hair grow less?

Oh, I guess you must be able to will your hair and fingernails to grow less.

@Vinifera7 that is not at all what i was implying, i have heard that guys who wear ballcaps all the time loose their hair quicker than usual and i just thought there might be some relation. you dont have to be such a snarky dick

I agree with tennesseejac’s point… toes are bound by socks or shoes 90% of the time. This probably stunts the growth of toenails a bit, which makes sense for me since I hate shoes and especially socks, so I go barefoot whenever possible – and my toe nails grow faster than most others.

The hat theory is definitely correct. It causes men to loose hair earlier in life.

Cause we cut our fingernails more often than our toenails.

Fingernails grow 2–3 times faster than toenails. There are a couple of theories for why this is the case. One is that the greater blood supply to the fingers favors growth. Another is that since fingernails are used as tools by primates, they wear faster than toenails and are more subject to injury, and so must be replaced at a faster rate (fingernail growth is faster on the dominant hand as well).

Mine grow about the same. Shit. That’s weird apparently.

Ha! Harp said that what I said was an actual theory. I feel validated!