High altitude and nail growth.
Linear nail growth studies were carried out in 22 highlanders Ladakhi (3445 m) and 6 lowlander male troops, in 4 during their fresh induction into high altitude (3445 m) and in 2 during their stay in plains while on leave from high altitude. The average age of highlander Ladakhis was 21.82 years (range 16-36 years) and lowlanders was 34 years (range 29-40 years). There was significant decrease in nail growth in age matched (average age 34.25) highlander Ladakhis (93.11/day, SD 7.24, P < 0.05) and in freshly inducted lowlanders (88.71/day, SD 10.7 mu, P < 0.05) in contrast to average nail growth in plains (1191/day, SD 1.41) Although the average nail growth in highlander Ladakhis (99.34/day, SD 13.91) was more than the lowlanders inducted into high altitude (88.7 s/day, SD 10.7 mu) the difference was not found statistically significant (P > 0.05). However it does suggest some degree of acclimatization in highlanders. Hypoxic conditions and extreme cold conditions both appear to be factors responsible for decreased nail growth in high altitude areas.
Sawhney
M P S
MP
Department of Dermatology and STD, Command Hospital (SC), Pune-411 040, India.