Hi, I am a 40 year old male, and about 10 years ago I developed these ugly horizontal ridges in the center of both thumbnails and my thumbnails are bumpy. They are very ugly and embarrassing and in my job my hands and nails are very much exposed to my clients. I have mentioned this to my doctor on several occasions when I was in for something else and he just sorta shrugged it off and never really said much. I do bite my nails a little and pick at my cuticles. does anyone know what this could be and what kind of doctor I should see for it. Thanks in advance for any information, Brian :cool:

The ridges you are seeing are actually the rails and grooves upon which the nail plate rides forward, much like a trail rides forward on its tracks. The rails are on the surface of the nail bed, and the grooves are on the underside of the nail plate. As we age, our nails tend to become dry and these ridges become more apparent. You can help the nails as well as the cuticles (so you don't pcik and bite) by applying a good quality nail and cuticle oil at least twice daily. You can find Botanical Oil in the nail department of your local Sally Beauty Supply, or Solar OIl in fine nail salons or through Ulta Cosmetic outlets nationwide. Both oils come in a bottle with a small brush applicator. simply brush some oil across each nail, then masssage into the nails and cuticles. You should notice an improvement within two weeks time IF you apply no less than twice daily and alwasy before bed or after having your hands in water a lot. Paper and textiles will wick the natural oils and moisture from the nail plate and the skin, so if youwork with a lot of paper, you may want to apply more often than twice daily.

For more information on your natural nails, please visit my website www.hooked-on-nails.com (link approved by Moderator 1)