Finger Nail Deformed

My left index finger has a channel from the tip to behind the cuticle. It started at the cuticle and grew with the nail. It is about an 8th of an inch wide. There is no discoloration or other marks of any kind. I have not smashed my finger or anything like that. Could this be some type of fungus or bacteria?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms one possibility that is coming to my mind is of pterygium nail. It is the inward advance of skin over the nail plate and is usually the result of trauma to the matrix due to a surgical procedure or by a deep cut to the nail plate. Cortisone can be used for its treatment.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.