Weak, easily torn nails/no visible Lunula... - Nail Problems Message Board

FiveA2 · 11-27-2006, 10:14 AM

Hi,
I have always had weak, easily torn nails with no visible Lunula. Some of my nails are bent over. And now there are vertical ridges. Are these things the result of vitamin deficiancy or heredity or something else? I would like to finally have nice looking nails; can someone help?

Marti · 11-27-2006, 06:59 PM

We inherit our nails from our parents/ancestors as well as our skin and hair and all the other 'things'. The lunula is the leading edge of the matrix where the nail plate cells are 'born'. The shorter the matrix, the thinner the nail plate. The lunula can usually be seen on the thumbs, pointer and middle finer with the least amount visible on the ring finger and rarely on the pinky. If you can hardly see the lunula, it means that there are fewer cells being developed in the matrix and therefore, the nails will be thin and prone to breakage.

FiveA2 · 11-28-2006, 08:26 AM

Thank you so much for that information, I never knew that. Is there any help? Also, my daughter says that she used to be able to see more of her lunula, now she doesn't see any of it. Have you ever heard of that?

Marti · 11-29-2006, 07:18 PM

The true cuticle may be hiding the portion of lunula she used to see. She can reclaim what has overgorwn the nail plate by getting a few professional manicures.