Changes to finger nails

[MsAndyIvy]

Anyone seen changes to their nails, particularly fingers? My middle and little finger nails have gone sort of ridged and pitted. I’m not diabetic but do have chronic fatigue syndrome and peripheral neuropathy amongst other things.

[Badbessie]

Your nails can change for a number of reasons. Some can be as simple as a mild fungal or viral infection. Other changes can be due to differing types of arthritis or psoriasis. The best advice would be to see your GP as diagnosis can be at times difficult. The point to remember that changes in nails due to more serious conditions often happen in conjunction with many other symptoms and if you are not showing those symptoms it is unlikely that the change is of a serious nature. I hope that helps.

[Thankful]

I have had that happen to all of mine. The ridges are from the ends of the insides of the soft tissue. E.g. tendons etc. Also the Arthritic joints. Agingvin other words. I went on to develop

Cysts at the bottom of my fingers in front of the nail. My then GP showed me how to empty them. Use a sterilised needle. Push it in and then a white gel like fluid will come out. Squeeze it out then wipe with a dry cloth. Put something with tea tree in it because that acts as a natural antibiotic. Boots sell a very good spot stick. Witchazel

And teatree. That Fry's and clears it up quickly. Cover it with a plastering you are going to use cleaning sprays or wash up in a bowl. Does the job for me GP said if he took out the cysts they would return. The way he has told me will destroy them with time. That is exactly what has happened. I hope this helps you and stops your worry.

[Hidden]

Yes, every one of my nails has vertical ridges. Can’t grow them as they splinter and split.

Read something this week that applying cuticle oil ( I’m guessing almond oil would do) and buffing with a chamois leather is supposed to be the best thing to do. Don’t use gels as over time they weaken nails.

[marytee56]

Hi MsAndyIvy years ago when I was having trouble with my thyroid i saw my specialist and I mentioned that my nails on my feet were weird he told me that the ridges on my big toes which were roughly half way down my nail was the result of me getting sick around 6 months ago which coincided with my thyroid playing up, it grew out and a few years later came back shortly after my thyroid again played up, he said it's like a health journal letting us know that our bodies have been through it health wise. I'm not saying it's your thyroid that's the problem it could be some other ailment, just check with your doctor ❤ ❤

[twinks in reply to marytee56]

Mine are ridged I have thyroid problems they also split.

[Hidden]

Good Morning MsAndyIvy,

Do you have psoriasis?

If so, could be psoriatic arthritis.

I have toenails on my left foot that have pitted, crumbled and look very much like fungal nail, it’s not, it’s psoriasis of the nails.

If you have psoriasis of the nails, you are more than likely to get or have the psoriatic arthritis.

See your GP see what he/she got to say.

Good luck ❤️

[MsAndyIvy]

Hi ladies

I haven't got psoriasis and my thyroid is under control, I had it taken out decades ago - was much better after.

Its weird that its just 4 fingers the same two on each hand. I'll just put it down to my bonkers body. No point worrying!

Thanks for the feedback x

[Hidden]

My nails are horrid, I was advised to each raw jelly and so I do, the ridges have dissappeared but i find the cuticles grow really fast.

[klr31]

I think it might be connected to thyroid issues as I get ridges on my left ring finger and have Hashimoto's and M.E. Check your results yourself to see if you are adequately medicated; also check vitamins D, B12, folate and ferritin.

Karen