# Why do my fingernails and toenails "grow"... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 5, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-fingernails-and-toenails-grow/580860 "2011-05-05T18:11:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CheeseDonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@CheeseDonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheeseDonkey)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-fingernails-and-toenails-grow/580860/1 "2011-05-05T18:11:53Z")
…when I’m in the shower or swimming? Every time I’m done with either activity, I always notice that my fingernails and toenails seem to be a bit longer. That is, the white portion at the end seems to have grown. Why would such a thing occur? ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-fingernails-and-toenails-grow/580860/2 "2011-05-05T19:44:40Z")
The nails aren’t growing; the skin around them is shrinking away from them. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-fingernails-and-toenails-grow/580860/3 "2011-05-05T20:09:02Z")
werewolfism ---
**Author:** ![Enilno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58f4c7/32.png) [@Enilno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enilno)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-fingernails-and-toenails-grow/580860/4 "2011-05-05T20:19:12Z")
WAG: the skin at the tip of the nail absorbs water and becomes translucent, making the nail more visible. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-fingernails-and-toenails-grow/580860/5 "2011-05-05T20:27:48Z")
It’s the same reason for thinking that hair and nails continue to grow on cadavers: they don’t. The skin does in fact shrink back. ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-fingernails-and-toenails-grow/580860/6 "2011-05-05T20:34:28Z")
The wrinkling in fingers after immersion in fresh water is swelling. Google away on it if you like, the skin doesn’t shrink back. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-fingernails-and-toenails-grow/580860/7 "2011-05-05T21:39:23Z")
Because they’re getting clean, of course. (yes, this is a joke) ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2011, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-my-fingernails-and-toenails-grow/580860/8 "2011-05-05T21:43:48Z")
The tips or the quick? I think this is observation bias. Your nails grow steadly throughout the day, but you only notice them after showering/swimming.