Horizontal Ridges - Nail Problems Message Board

SweetPea83 · 11-20-2006, 09:36 AM

Hello everyone. I have some questions about my nails...

A while back I noticed some fairly deep horizontal ridges on all of my fingernails. They aren't discolored or anything and it seems like I get them on each finger at the same exact time and they grow out then a while later I'll see another on each finger. They seem to be worst on my thumbs, pointers, and middle fingers. I've read that horizontal ridging can be a sign of a serious illness so I am very worried.

I did get acrylic nails put on for about 3 years straight, and about 2 years ago I quit. Could my nail beds just be permanently damaged?

I also have a habit of picking at my cuticles sometimes. Could that be causing it?

Please help!

Marti · 11-20-2006, 01:42 PM

Bingo! Horizontal ridging such as you described can be the result of trauma to the matrix. The white half moon at the base of the nail called the Lunula is actually the leading edge of the matrix (nail root). Repetitive trauma to the matrix can result in the horizontal ridging you describe.

Instead of picking at your cuticles, why not book a series of regular manicures to get your cuticles in optimum shape so yu won't pick at them?

SweetPea83 · 11-21-2006, 08:38 AM

It never really occurred to me that it could be from picking at my cuticles. I always kind of assumed my nails were damaged from having acrylics for so long. But it's been quite a few years since I've had acrylics so I thought they should be back to normal by now.

These "ridges" as I've called them are actually small depressions. They are the same shape as the lunula, kind of like an upside-down U. Are you sure this isn't indicative of something else more serious?

I bought some cuticle oil last night, maybe that will help?

Thanks!

Marti · 11-21-2006, 11:19 AM

It still sounds like some sort of repetitive trauma to the matrix. Yes, the cuticle oil should help, but so will breaking the 'picking' habit.

SweetPea83 · 11-22-2006, 12:37 PM

From the acrylic nails? When I first got them taken off (after several years) my nails were in terrible shape, so thin and brittle. It took over a year for them to get back to normal and then shortly after is when I began noticing these "depressions" or ridges or whatever they are. If the matrix has been damaged, is it possible they may never be normal again?