After space travel, astronauts can experience all sorts of health consequences, from loss of bone and muscle mass to headaches, vision problems, or kidney stones. You may even see rare effects such as lengthening of the spine, which causes them to grow several centimeters. These are some of the known consequences, but there are others that are much rarer, such as loss of nails.

But this is not uncommon, because it does not happen often, but because little is said about her. Actually, happens very often. According to some studies, 47% of the 352 symptoms reported by astronauts between 2002 and 2004 were tied with hands. And more than half of these hand symptoms were related to fingertips or nails.

Apparently, according to research conducted by MIT scientist Dava Newman, this is due to gloves which are part of the suit. Like the rest of the clothes of astronauts, when they go out on space walks these they press to simulate the pressure exerted by the Earth’s atmosphere. Thus, what was originally a relatively flexible glove becomes a stiff, five-thimble mitt that presses down on the fingertips until pressure is built up. stratification of nails. That is, constant pressure causes the nails to separate from the nail bed. Take your finger off, come on. It is, of course, quite painful. In addition, it can be accompanied by other negative consequences.

Gloves that protect your hands but ruin your nails

During space travel or stay on the International Space Station, astronauts may carry any comfortable clothing. However, during a spacewalk, as well as on takeoffs and landingsThey wear different outfits. In the first case, they carry something called extravehicular suit (EVA) and, secondly, flight suits.

These two types of suits are very similar, with some minor differences. But in general, they seek to protect astronauts from extreme temperatures, radiation or pressure changes. True, in the ship they are protected from all this, but in the event of an incident during takeoff or landing, they must be ready.

In any case, where they are sure to be exposed to all these hardships is in space walks. There it is very important that every component of your clothing contains adequate materials and designs to withstand them. As for the gloves, they are designed in such a way that they can have touch sensitivity, but at the same time protect your fingers by simulating the pressure of the earth’s atmosphere. This stiffness that occurs when they are under pressure causes recurring small bruises on the fingertips and, at the same time, possible detachment of the nails.

What are the consequences?

A detached nail is not serious. In fact, if they fall off your finger they end up meeting againalthough they may already be deformed.

But it wouldn’t matter much if it weren’t for the fact that it hurtsespecially if they get caught on the glove. In addition, the skin that was normally protected by the nail is exposed to possible fungal infectionwhich also breed more easily due to the moisture that builds up inside the glove.

For this reason, according to the statements of Dava Newman, collected National Geography, some astronauts can make extreme decisions. As extreme as pulling out your nails before going into space. It’s not something out of the ordinary, she only knows a couple of cases, but the fear of the consequences must be huge for them to make this kind of decision.

Astronauts must cut their nails

Although there are no measures to prevent 100% delamination, you can follow tips such as keep your nails very short. But be careful, because cutting them is not easy.

If an astronaut on the International Space Station cut his nails somewhere, they would float due to weightlessness and could be inhaled or swallowed themselves or their peers. In fact, this is the reason why there are other measures in these institutions, such as not using grain products such as peppers.

To avoid an unpleasant incident with nails, you need to cut them next to ventilation duct which absorbs them directly. Also, you must be careful to prey on those who going to run away. The astronaut taught it in a video Chris Hadfieldalso known for recording videos demonstrating the ambient sound of the International Space Station or the behavior of tears in microgravity.

It’s funny how something so simple on Earth becomes such a complex maneuver in space. Luckily they have solutions. All in order not to suffer from the consequences of broken nails.

Source: Hiper Textual

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