Nail Question from a Guitar Player

Hi all,

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.  I am a professional guitar player with growing concerns over the health of my fingernails.  Over the past 5 years, I have practiced guitar daily on average of 3-4 hrs a day, with 1 hr a day minimum on "off" days.  Since the start, I've noticed that the nail bed (and subsequently the overall length of the nail) of my ring finger on the left (guitar fretting) hand has gradually shortened.  I believe that the trauma of fretting notes has introduced a stress point between the edge of the nail bed and the meat of the tip of my finger.  This, in turn, is causing the nail to "uproot" from the nail bed.  Currently, the nail bed on my left hand is approximately 2mm shorter than the nail bed on my right hand.  It is only mildly painful, but the pain is long lasting, maybe even chronic. If I stop practicing, will my nail bed eventually grow back to size?  Or is the condition and overall length of nail bed permanently separated from the nail?  Is there any dietary supplement that can alleviate the wear and tear?  One thing I forgot to mention, my fingernails have vertical ridges.  People I've talked to have surmised that it is psoriasis I've inherited from my dad.  Anyways, thanks for the advice.

[THJones]

Am I in the wrong forum?  Anyways, I was doing some research and came across the term Onycholysis.  This is supposedly a painless separation of the nail and bed.  This would seem to be what I'm experiencing, except I have pain associated with mine?  

[THJones]

Anyone?  

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi,

Based on what you have posted this condition may indeed be a case of onycholysis. This may be secondary to mechanical  injuries, infections and nitritional deficiencies. In your case, your previous activities which entails playing the guitar may play a big role.

I suggest that you have this checked by a dermatologist. If you stop practicing, the condition may not necessarily resolve but it shall stop the condition from worsening. I suggest that you practice now in moderation. Pressing on the frets may actually aggravate the condition. A consult is needed to assess the extent of separation of the nail from the nail bed. Separated nails are usually removed. "For treatment all of the unattached nail must be clipped off. The hand should be kept out of water as much as possible. Use gloves when cleaning and washing. It is very important to avoid mechanical cleaning under nails. One should not bandage or cover the cut nails."

Source:

http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/onycholysis.html

As for the vertical ridges, nutritional deficiencies may be causing these. Iron deficiency and Vit B deficiency may cause some nail changes. Take vitamin C and B supplements. Take food high in calcium eg dairy products ,eggs ,milk green and leafy vegetables. Also increase consumption of lean meat.