Aa
Concave curving of fingernail tips
I'm not sure where to post this question actually so hopefully this is the right place.
Over the past two weeks or so, I've noticed a change in the ends of my fingernails that seems to be getting more pronounced and has me a bit concerned. It's happening on the thumbs, index and middle fingers of both hands and in the exact same location/angle, as if mirrored on each hand. It's a concave ridge that goes across the grain of the nails, involving about the last 1/8 of the nail tip and covering about half the width. If I cut them back to almost nothing, that is right where the nail starts to curve up. On the index and middle fingers it's an angled ridge toward the thumb side and on the thumbs, it's more centrally located. Where the ridge starts, the nail bed is a bit red and there is a slight soreness now, sort of like that tender raw feeling you get when you accidentally cut your nails too far back, and the nail thickness is very thin where it is curved up but seems normal on the side that is not curved. The ring and little fingers of both hands seem to be unaffected. Before this, I had noticed that my nails were getting more deeply ridged, the type that follow the grain of the nail, and there has been some brittleness but nothing significant enough to have checked out.
A few facts about me.... I'm a 40 year old male, fairly heavy smoker, very active in the gym doing cardio and weight training 4-5 times a week, 6' 3", thin and eat fairly well. I have no significant medical history of any kind and the only supplements I am taking are a B-Complex and a buffered Creatine called Kre-Alkalyn. I do have a prescription for LeVitra which I do take now and then, maybe 2-3 times a week max, but no other medications.
Any ideas? Thanks for your help.
Over the past two weeks or so, I've noticed a change in the ends of my fingernails that seems to be getting more pronounced and has me a bit concerned. It's happening on the thumbs, index and middle fingers of both hands and in the exact same location/angle, as if mirrored on each hand. It's a concave ridge that goes across the grain of the nails, involving about the last 1/8 of the nail tip and covering about half the width. If I cut them back to almost nothing, that is right where the nail starts to curve up. On the index and middle fingers it's an angled ridge toward the thumb side and on the thumbs, it's more centrally located. Where the ridge starts, the nail bed is a bit red and there is a slight soreness now, sort of like that tender raw feeling you get when you accidentally cut your nails too far back, and the nail thickness is very thin where it is curved up but seems normal on the side that is not curved. The ring and little fingers of both hands seem to be unaffected. Before this, I had noticed that my nails were getting more deeply ridged, the type that follow the grain of the nail, and there has been some brittleness but nothing significant enough to have checked out.
A few facts about me.... I'm a 40 year old male, fairly heavy smoker, very active in the gym doing cardio and weight training 4-5 times a week, 6' 3", thin and eat fairly well. I have no significant medical history of any kind and the only supplements I am taking are a B-Complex and a buffered Creatine called Kre-Alkalyn. I do have a prescription for LeVitra which I do take now and then, maybe 2-3 times a week max, but no other medications.
Any ideas? Thanks for your help.
After further online research, I've discovered that these nail abnormalities are called Beau's lines. You might want to Google these for future reference so that if someone comes along with a similar complaint, you'll be able to offer them something a bit more substantial for their money.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I don't have an obvious diagnosis that comes to mind.
There are a variety of diseases that can lead to nail changes. This can include infection, kidney/liver disease, thyroid disorders, or psoriasis.
These diseases can be evaluated via a variety of blood tests.
A dermatology referral can be considered to further evaluate the lesions.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
There are a variety of diseases that can lead to nail changes. This can include infection, kidney/liver disease, thyroid disorders, or psoriasis.
These diseases can be evaluated via a variety of blood tests.
A dermatology referral can be considered to further evaluate the lesions.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
You are reading content posted in the Family Health Forum
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.
