This moon-shaped area actually has a name, it’s called a lunula. The lunula is a very important part of your nail and if it ever gets damaged it can affect the growth of that nail forever.

A healthy person has between 8 and 10 lunulas with a mostly white color on both of their hands.

The lunula is most noticeable on the thumb; however, not everyone’s lunulae are visible. In some cases, the eponychium may partially or completely cover the lunula.

Here are some things you probably never knew about the lunula:

The lunula isn’t actually white

The lunula isn’t actually white but looks that way because the nail sits on top of it! The lunula is extremely sensitive and is most visible on the thumb.

The lunula is not a part of the nail

The lunula is not a part of the nail but acts as a layer on top of the skin and covers blood vessels which are underneath it. It sits directly under the nail and is not actually a part of it.

You can remove the nail and still have your lunula

If a nail is completely removed, the lunula will remain intact. Although everyone has a lunula, it is not visible on everyone’s nails.

The lunula can reveal certain things about our health

Experts say that the lunula can reveal things about our health.  A smaller lunula can indicate anemia or even malnutrition. A blue-colored lunula can be an indicator of diabetes, while a lunula that has a reddish color can mean some forms of cardiovascular diseases. A smaller lunula can also indicate indigestion due to a very slow metabolism. The lunula should be an ivory color in healthy people.

A healthy lunula is roughly one fifth of the size of the fingernail

Most healthy people should have a lunula which is roughly one fifth of the size of the fingernail. A change of color in the lunula can be an indication of sickness.

The lighter a person’s lunula is, the better

The whiteness of a lunula can indicate the overall strength and health of a person. It can also indicate the strength of a person’s overall immune system.

The shape of your nail is important

A great indicator of someone’s overall health is the shape of the fingernail. It should also be smooth and glossy.

 The size of your lunula is important

A smaller lunula indicates low energy, poor health, and a weak immune system. A person with a small lunula will typically feel more tired than the average person.