During the last 6 months my fingernails have gone from being normal to full of vertical ridges. Some nails are worse than others has anyone

[annie330]

else experienced this got any ideas on the cause?

Thank you

[Manofmendip]

Hi Annie

Mine have been for years too. My wife says that it is some kind of dietary deficiency!

I would be very interested to hear other people's experiences.

Dave x

[annie330 in reply to Manofmendip]

Thank you Dave for your reply its good to know we're not alone

[CanaryDiamond10]

Mine are brittle despite a professional manicurist's attention and cure aids. They bend off they are so soft and when they split they split in layers. I also have large ridges on my toe nails. I pointed it out to my general practitioner and she said, "every time you see a ridge it's a sign that your body has been assaulted in some way". In my case perhaps an APS flare, migraine, fighting off a virus, etc. Mine are total top to bottom and most regular, oddly. My body must be under constant attack. Thinking I managed to misunderstand by the time I got home, I asked again at my next appointment and received pretty much the same answer. Still I just didn't believe it.. So I asked my rheumatologist and got pretty much the same answer. It's one of the reasons doctors would prefer patients don't wear nail polish or make-up to

appointments. They can tell so much by your pallor and by your fingernails and condition of your skin and hair. I also believe medications have much to do with the condition of skin, hair and nails. Good luck with yours

Warm wishes,

CanaryDiamond

[Hidden in reply to CanaryDiamond10]

I echo Annie330's comments as mine do exactly the same. I have recently started Shellac nail polish as a bit of a treat and pick me up because it (life) was all making me a bit fed up. As soon as the Shellac comes off the nails immediately split in layers and I start all over again!

Also interesting what you say about no make up or polish to appontments - it makes perfect sense really.

[annie330]

Interesting what you said about splitting mine do that, split in layers from top of nail and I have to cut them.

Thank you for your reply its much appreciated.

[panda60]

My nails look horrible with great black ridges across them and white patches. Apparently this is due to Mepacrine which the Prof put me on because I am allergic to Plaquenil.

When it gets me down too much I get my nails painted. Love gel nails,because they last longer but they make my nails split.

[MaryF Administrator]

Do check your Thyroid out, it can be on of the may symptoms, ridges in the nails. Mary F x

[annie330]

Thank you for the replies, I will make an appointment and see if I can get my GP to check things out.

Thank you

[MaryF Administrator]

Yes: and here is a sensible source of advice: thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Mary F x

[BillyBean]

Try suggesting Psoriasis to your GP. My nails have been like that for several years (just some, not all of them) and my Rheumatologist was certain it was one of the minor forms of Psoriasis- really the least of my problems, and one that I can happily live with.

[GinaD]

From the time I was a child I never understood why people wear nail polish. I can feel when my nails are painted and I don't like it! It feels as though my fingers can't breathe. I can't tell you what happens when they are painted because I havent done it for years and years. But now that I have been dxed with APLS I assume this has something to do with sludgey blood in the finger nail bed.

[Kernow]

I too have problems with thin, easily broken nails and ridges. Interesting to read I am not alone. I too like gel nails but you can't wear them continuously. My nails break below the quick, ugh, and so the gel nails help them grow back up, protected. My manicurist suggested I massaged in some almond oil before turning in for the night. Seems to be working.......a bit.....but haven't been doing it very long. Watch this space.

[Peecue]

Hi All, it is the same as mine and I have been told that the ridges develop when your body goes through illness. I have had the cracked nails, the breaking nails. But what I have found that has strengthened them really well is Morrocan (Argan) Oil. I have used all sort including halfprice from AV-- ooh I shouldn't advertise. The one I am using at the moment is a spray, usually for hair, but it works great. My sister has started using it too and has noticed a big difference. The ridges are still there, but the splits and cracks have gone. I do put on handcream after to help the oil soak in well

[sbncmo]

I have Fibromyalgia & the ridges as well as "beaking", where the nails are thin & curve down or will flatten before they curve down, as well as break easily at the curve point, are part of fibromyalgia. My nails will also flake off in layers sometimes. I will file & buff my nails down to the point where there is no flaking left, but then the nails are really thin - and my nails are rather thin to begin with.

My doctor checks my thyroid regularly & it isn't the cause, plus I've been on monthly B12 shots for a number of years now & take a prescribed dose of vitamin D3 daily. I've tried some of the nail strengthening polishes & different lotions & ointments, but since it is a systemic disorder, those things don't seem to help much.

Just a thought in case some of the given suggestions don't work.

[MaryF Administrator in reply to sbncmo]

Have you seen my post on Thyroid! I also tested normal with the narrow testing parameters! Mary F x

[sbncmo in reply to MaryF]

The thyroid affects about everything, doesn't it? Thanks for the link - I'm printing it out for a reference for when I talk to my doctor in the near future. Who knows, I may be sharing more info here about my own health in the future & not just about my husband's APS/Lupus.

I do believe my doctor does more than the basic thyroid test because she also regularly checks me for lupus & other auto-immune diseases. If I have a concern about some bruising, she tests my thyroid & other things. I have concerns about these things since my mother has sjogren's & some other things. With my family history, my doctor tries to keep on top of it, checking me frequently.

Thanks again for the link, Mary. It's great, very informative & useful. I hope I'm right about my doctor testing me more thoroughly. I guess I need to ask. All of us should be informed about our health & what our health care teams are doing for us..

[annie330]

Thanks everyone something else that is odd (well to me) I paint my nails (rarely) but when I do the varnish doesn't last 24 hours, and its not like it peels off it just disappears, I think this is odd. I used to paint my nails (not often but I never had problems) but since the ridges nail varnish disappears.

[windsorGirl]

Hi annie330 As my Grandmother would have said, mine are hard as all get out. What ever that means, Just wanted to tell ya mine are also not so nice.

[windsorGirl]

Hi Jetjet. Long time no see. Been thinking of you all summer, especially when the sceeters are out....

[jetjetjet in reply to windsorGirl]

Why when the Skeeters are out , ??? do i remind you of a bug ????? HA HA