Skin of fingers

Looks like

Skin with the ridge patterns of fingerprints on the pads, and the nails on the backs of the tips.

What it does

The body's finest touch: the pads hold more touch receptors than almost any other skin.

Keeping it well

Cuts on the fingertip bleed and heal well. A red, throbbing swelling beside the nail is an infection that may need draining.

Related conditions

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chilblains (pernio)
• De Quervain's tenosynovitis
• Dupuytren's contracture & trigger finger
• Ganglion cyst
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• Pseudogout (calcium pyrophosphate disease)
• Raynaud's phenomenon
• Repetitive strain & overuse injury
• Rheumatoid arthritis