Dear doctor,
The nail plate of my small right hand finger has a vertical groove which runs very close and parallel to its outside edge. At the point where the groove meets the cuticle (at the base of the nail plate) the cuticle seems to grow detached from the nail (I constantly have to cut it). The groove runs parallel to the right hand side proximal edge of the nail about 1 mm from the edge. Also, all the right hand side proximal edge disappeared, and the nail edge is exposed (it looks like the distal edge).
I am 50 years old, post menopausal and on estrogen and progesterone replacement for the last 3 years. I do not smoke, drink or use drugs (never did) or suffer from any illness or disease. All my other 9 nail plates, cuticles, proximal edges and proximal nail folds are pink, smooth and healthy and grow at normal rate. I can't recall when did it start. All I remember that some shallow groove has been there for many years. for the last few years, it periodically deepens and is accompanied by the other symptoms I just described. There are some periods (though short) when only the shallow groove is there and the other symptoms disappear. The only problem I have periodically is anemia. I wonder if the two are related?
Thank you for your help,
Reply -------------------------
There have been a number of nail signs associated with anemia, but nail ridging is not one that I see on my review of the text Nails: therapy, diagnosis, surgery by Scher and Daniel. You must be in medical field or have good anatomic descriptive skills for some other reason. Let a derm who likes nails take a look and follow you. Sorry I can't help. Eliot
--
Dermatology Online: Served by Eliot N. Mostow, MD, MPH
NOTICE: OFCN is not engaged in the rendering of professional medical services. The information contained on this system or any other OFCN system should not supplant individual professional consultation. It is offered exclusively as a community education service. Advice on individual problems must be obtained directly from a professional.
--
Click here to
review previous Dermatology Clinic consultations