nail changes - raynauds

[Tiggywoos]

Hi everyone

Just a quick post . Has anyone noticed nail changes due to raynauds ? Mine now look like upside down spoons

Really appreciate you reading

Thank you and hugs xx

[CarolMcl]

Hi I've got nail clubbing but much more pronounced. Although I have Raynaud's, mine is due to my lung disease which was caused by Lupus/scleroderma. I would keep an eye on it and maybe point it out to your rheumatologist 🌹

[Tiggywoos in reply to CarolMcl]

Thanks Carol you’re an angel 👼 they’ve defo changed and got wider so I’ll will tell rheummy at next appointment xx

[CarolMcl in reply to Tiggywoos]

I'm glad I could hopefully help 🌹

[Tiggywoos in reply to CarolMcl]

Just nice to know not going bonkers 😉 x

[CarolMcl in reply to Tiggywoos]

No you're not 😅🌹

[OldTed60]

I think, if I could ever grow mine that long, mine would be similarly clubbed. My nails constantly break, split and tear so it’s hard to know but my large toenails are thick and clubbed with horizontal grooves. I’ve just assumed it must be secondary Raynauds related xx

[CarolMcl in reply to OldTed60]

My nails are the opposite, I don't think I've had a breakage in about 5 years, constantly need to cut them as they look awful 🌹

[Tiggywoos in reply to CarolMcl]

Yes mine grow like mad too

[OldTed60 in reply to CarolMcl]

My toenails are like this too - like yellow pearly rhino horn! but fingernails have always been dry, flaking and rubbish so have to keep them very short. Prior to iloprost they were really pitted like those copper tables used to find in bars! A dermatologist explained that this was due to Raynauds disrupting the nail beds. I had terrible eczema from childhood through to menopause so suspect this factors in too. TBH I think I’d rather have thick nails than my weak, flaky busters - I get frequent infections when they tear. Also I have to carry a nail kit in my bag at all times inc scissors!

[CarolMcl in reply to OldTed60]

Horrible to get infections, thankfully I dont have that. I'm just very self conscious of my nails as they look horrible, I used to have beautiful nails. After people commenting about them, I've got used to covering my fingers 🌹

[OldTed60 in reply to CarolMcl]

I’ve never had nice nails but they were even worse when I was young so I don’t think much about them. I’m an artist/ writer/illustrator so my hands are my tools and their appearance is least of my concerns. My toenails are quite another matter! I hate their discoloured rhino horn appearance and never wear bare feet when out - always socks or if really special occasions in summer, tights! So I can relate to what you’re describing too x

[CarolMcl in reply to OldTed60]

I can relate to your toenails, mine are exactly the same. I've got to go to a podiatrist every six weeks as I can't manage them, having lung disease doesn't help either as struggle when bending over 🌹

[Tiggywoos in reply to OldTed60]

Well .. as always you raise good point oldted ☺️. I also thought raynauds related but not necessarily so . Also got the groves on toe nails and thumb nails … thought prob lack of blood supply to extremities .. how you doing hun ? xx

[OldTed60]

No you’re right we shouldn’t assume it’s all Raynaud’s related. Especially not, as in your case, where you’ve noticed that your nails have changed. Definitely mention to your rheumatologist.

Re me - I’m fine thanks. Lots of hand and back pain just now but my rheumatologist emailed today to confirm Rituximab bloods are normal and that X-ray of my thoracic spine (mild scoliosis) showed “minor degenerative changes at multiple levels but no other abnormality“. Boy this made me feel ancient! She wrote same about my hands a few years ago so guess OA is a big culprit for lots of my residual issues. X

[Tiggywoos in reply to OldTed60]

Definitely don’t feel ancient about the degenerative changes as I think they show from about the age of 25 onwards 😉. You’re practically superwoman with what you go through ! 😘. So pleased the bloods were “normal “ although they doesn’t stop you feeling rough I bet . Roll on some warmer weather for our hands and feet eh ! Big hugs xxx

[Deby177]

Sadly my nails don't even look this good

Nails raynauds

[elprof57]

Nail change affect almost everybody who suffers from Scleroderma. Either feet or hands or both. The big toe on my left foot has been dark and scarred for about ten years. And doctors, whether rheumatologists or dermatologists, have no answers. All the best.

[Tiggywoos in reply to elprof57]

Thank you for replying I do appreciate it

[FredaN]

My nails have become shorter and possibly wider (might just be the shortening making me imagine they're wider, though). My ADHD consultant once thought my nails were clubbed, but I think he was mistaking the swollen skin at the nailfold for that. My symptoms seem more Lupus than Scleroderma, unlike others here, but have awful Raynaud's and Erythromelalgia.

I couldn't tell you the last time I cut my nails because they don't grow very fast at all. They used to. My big toe nail needs trimming a few times a year, but that's it really. Now worried about my circulation after reading about all yours growing fast! I also have no hair on the lower part of my lower leg 🤔

[Tiggywoos in reply to FredaN]

That’s so interesting as my toe nails hardly grow at all I could literally cut them a few times a year also !!! Also have no hair on low leg .. defo circulation id say with us Raynaud patients . Thank you for replying hun and sending you a hug xx

[Otto11]

Bless you. I’m wondering if they were shorter it may not be as obvious. It’s worth checking it out though as it may be caused by something else. Mine have curved round more & split terribly but I presumed it was due to my Rheumatoid Arthritis rather than Raynauds.

[Tiggywoos in reply to Otto11]

Thank you hun really appreciate you replying . I’ve had splitting headache on waking for years now and always wondered if something to do with oxygen levels but hey who knows !!! I know early signs of clubbing can be attributed to that . Ironically it was hairdresser that spotted them ! Take care xx

[Ciaran34]

yes - exactly like that - my doc says there is no treatment

[Midgebite21]

This is a great article about nail clubbing and its causes. Very informative. Ivan was a PhD student when I was doing my Podiatry Hons degree and is now a very well known expert in all things skin and nail relating to Podiatry world wide.

Medical journal

[Partner20]

That could be the condition known as parrot beak nails which can be associated with Raynaud's.

[Ontherun81]

Hi Tiggwoos

My nails have changed too partly to Raynaurds & partly to Atrophied Thyroid. They've got wider very pronounced ridges, split horizontally & the whole shape has changed. I've started having biab nails done as they look so bad. I've always prided myself with my nails but unless painted they look awful! My fingers are lumpy & distorted & swollen too due to Osteoarthritis so bye bye thin fingers😬