Does anyone else suffer with their nails detaching from their nail beds due to Raynaud's? I have ruled out any other reason for this happening (fungal infection, iron deficiency, allergy) so assume it is this but cannot find any other cases documented.Your experiences would be most welcome.
xx
Hi. My nails have detached down the sides from top to middle. I also have pulmonary fibrosis so not too sure which one is the cause. Sorry I can't be more helpful 🌹
Hi Ren82,
I’m a podiatrist of 30 years. The most common cause of onycholysis is trauma especially micro trauma. It could be pressure from footwear, repetitive actions like foot moving in shoe and hitting the end of the toe box. Sometimes it occurs and you don’t know the trauma is happening as it doesn’t cause pain or bruising in the nail bed but over time the nail separates. Your reduced peripheral circulation due to Raynauds could also be an added causative factor. It is unlikely that the Raynauds itself is the main cause. Do you have psoriasis or eczema?
Thank you for your response. I forgot to add that this onycholysis is on my fingers and there is no trauma occurring there. I do not have any skin conditions. Also, I stopped wearing nail varnish a year ago and I take iron and vitamin d supplements so allergies or deficiencies shouldn't be a cause. Any other ideas?
Hi I have RA & my nails started lifting getting holes in them & other odd things. Very inflamed nail beds. After 4 years it was decided it was Pustular Psoriasis caused by my medication for RA. I don’t & never have had Psoriasis anywhere else. They stopped the meds & it stopped. Could yours be medication linked? Just a thought.
Thank you Otto11 for your response. I am not on any medication. I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday and wanted to go armed with lots of information so your experience is useful for my continued knowledge. Thanks again xx
Just a thought but you say that you’ve stopped using nail varnish then maybe the problems started prior to stopping and it’s just taken a real hold now? I have similar nail separation issues in both my toenails and my fingernails - fingernails probably worse than toes - but like yours it isn’t fungal. However I do have a long history of eczema and now have Systemic Sclerosis and Sjogren’s - so I’ve assumed it’s all of these with secondary Raynauds and also Erythromelalgia.
Do you use a keyboard? Typists can be prone to it on their fingers. You don’t pick or bite your nails subconsciously? It’s very annoying especially on the fingernails as they are easily caught on things and tear. It’s not easily resolved unfortunately. Once the nail separates like this it’s hit or miss if it will grow back normally.
Both my big toe nails have lysis but that’s definitely trauma, mostly horses trampling my feet in my younger years. Sorry I can’t be anymore help xxx
No worries, thank you for your input. No I don't type and I keep them short so they don't get caught on things. I've tried it all! 🤷
All my fingernails detached from the beds as my secondary Raynauds gradually spread to each finger, but they all grew back in over time and most of them look perfectly normal now. I hope you have less of an issue with yours. Good luck.
Thank you for your response KatieAnna. May I ask... did you have another underlying condition that caused your secondary Reynaud's? And did your nails only mend once this other condition was managed better?
I've got limited systemic scleraderma which caused the Raynauds. I was already being treated for the Raynauds with vasodilators when the gradual loss of my nails happened. Each finger sequentially became affected, black splinter like lines appeared under the nail then it lifted off. So some nails were regriwung, some were detaching and some were normal at the same time until every one was affected. It hasn't happened again and that was 20 years ago.
hi there Ren82
I have diffuse systemic sclerosis diagnosed 2005, looked after at the Royal Free. I have detached nails from time to time, always as a result of a digital ulcer. The nailfold capillaries become very depleted over time so the blood supply to the nail isn’t good anymore. I have one which partially detached at the base four months ago and is gradually growing a new one, albeit a bit of a weird shape! Just keep the finger protected in case you catch it 😱 and hopefully it’ll improve for you. If you don’t have iloprost infusions you could suggest it to your consultant, or sildenafil, or both.
Good luck!
Hello Ren82, I am so pleased I came across your post. I have had Raynaud’s for many years (doctor offered medication several years ago but I refused it at the time). My fingers are affected so badly even when it’s not that cold. My circulation must be so bad I even have to sleep with my arms down or hanging off the bed otherwise I wake up with excruciating pain/pins and needles in my fingers.
Anyway, a year ago I noticed my nails lifting from the nail bed. I since had them tested for fungal infection but the results came back clear. Doctor suggested it could be trauma. I don’t have any pain in my nails and there’s no redness. My nails have continued to lift and get worse. Yesterday I booked another appointment at doctors for next week. It was just today that my mum suggested it might be connected to my Raynaud’s and now I’ve spent most of the day searching online for any help! It makes complete sense! I would love to hear what happens at your appointment next week as I feel like I’m in the same situation as you. X
How wonderful to find someone else! I often wake up with numb hands and arms. I thought that, Raynaud's and onycholysis were all separate conditions but it was only the other day when I spoke to a nurse that I made the link. Sounds silly now I say it out loud, it makes perfect sense - limited blood supply, nails not happy! I never get any pain, redness or swelling either, just nails slowly detaching! I'll keep you posted from my appointment xx
Thank you for your reply! I was starting to despair but I’m pleased I’m not alone with this. I was also wondering if it was anything to do with menopause approaching (I’m 46). I’m devastated because my nails have always been so lovely with long nail beds and now I’m so conscious 😔 I just hope I can get some more answers next week. I hope you do too. 🙏🏻
Out of curiosity are you on medication for your Raynaud’s? I’m starting to regret turning down the meds when my doctor offered, as I’m now thinking if my circulation was better, my nails wouldn’t be in this state! X
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