We’ve all heard of salamanders and other amphibians that can regenerate lost limbs, but can humans do the same? Your first instinct might be to say it’s impossible, but there are several anecdotal reports suggesting that young children can regrow fingertips after an injury—even though there is surprisingly little research on the topic.
Anecdotal evidence and bioelectricity
Brian Roemmele, the editor-in-chief of Multiplex, recently posted on X about the phenomenon of fingertip regeneration in small children who lost them in accidents and received no surgical intervention. According to his research, if the wound is kept moist with a salt-covered dressing and the stump remains open, the fingertip eventually regrows—complete with skin, bones, hair, and nails, and without scarring.
This phenomenon is believed to be the result of a very low electrical potential created by the salted dressing, which activates cellular memory and encourages growth as if the body were still in the womb.
Roemmele stated: “This electrical potential is the most misunderstood and under-researched aspect of medical science because there is no significant pharmaceutical investment in universities.”
He is currently exploring how AI can help decipher this bioelectric code and other aspects of the human body that remain poorly understood.
Scientific evidence on fingertip regeneration
Although this phenomenon has not been extensively studied, scientists have long recognized that fingertips can regenerate in children, particularly if the cut occurs before the nail bed.
In such cases, the fingerprint may not fully regenerate, and the new fingertip might appear slightly deformed, but the bones, tissue, and nail will likely grow back.
Dr. Christopher Allan, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Washington Medical Center, has spoken about this phenomenon. He told NPR: “Children can actually regenerate a pretty decent fingertip after amputation if you simply leave it alone.”
He shared the story of an eight-year-old girl he treated who had accidentally sliced off the tip of her middle finger near the cuticle while riding her brother’s bike. A hand reconstruction specialist struggled to find a small artery necessary to reattach the severed part. Instead, they opted for a different approach: applying a biological dressing and hoping for the best.
That’s exactly what happened. Allan recalled: “She came back in a few weeks with the old fingertip in a bag and a new one on her hand. It was much better than anything I could have given her through grafting or surgery.”
Stem cells and nervous system signals in regeneration
A study published in Nature suggests that something in the nail cuticle could be responsible for this regrowth. Scientists observed a similar process in mouse paws, regardless of age, as long as a small portion of the nail remained after amputation.
Researchers identified specialized nail stem cells located near the cuticle that initiate claw regrowth when amputated. These cells also generate a signal that attracts nerves and bone to the wound. The presence of nerves is crucial for bone formation in this scenario, much like how nerves trigger the regeneration process observed in amphibians. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms at play.
Additionally, scientists found that electrical currents in the fingertips of children who experienced fingertip amputations and were treated with saline were strikingly similar to those observed in regenerating salamanders.
The potential for human regeneration
The human body is remarkable, and we are still learning about its full regenerative potential. However, because there is little financial incentive in self-healing processes, research in this area remains limited.
As our understanding of bioelectricity, stem cells, and neural signaling grows, future advancements could unlock more of the body’s hidden regenerative capabilities. Perhaps one day, the idea of humans regrowing lost fingers—and possibly even larger body parts—won’t seem so far-fetched after all.
