Author Topic: Ridges in Fingernails (Read 13214 times)

David_CA · « **on:** March 18, 2007, 08:23:42 pm »

Recently, I noticed that a couple of my fingernails have a side to side ridge in them. A couple of days ago, I noticed that almost all my fingernails have this ridge. It's worse on my thumbs and lessens towards my pinkies. They're visible on some fingers but can be felt on all my nails.

Have others noticed this with HIV or the meds (Atripla, in my case)? It's not a real problem, but it kind of worrisome. Thanks for any info.

David

thunter34 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2007, 08:29:43 pm »

Hey, sug! Lemme ask ya: Have you had any history with stuff of the dermatitis variety? Eczema, psoriasis, etc? Some of this can manifest with that appearance in your nails, too. It's not a big whoop. That kind of thing typically (I've been told by doctors) is reflective of nutritional deficits in your system. I'm sure others will come forth if I am off the mark on this, but that has been my experience. I had the nail deal when I was having problems with psoriasis, and that is what I was told. True enough, as that condition lessened, the nails also healed up.

EDITIED TO SAY: Your nails can act kind of like the rings of a tree to give a clue to periods when your body was out of balance, if that makes sense.

Dachshund · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2007, 08:39:14 pm »

I noticed the same thing in my nails when I first started my meds. I didn't think too much about it and chalked it up to HIV. It disappeared over time...it was weird watching the ridges move toward the end of the nail. I kind of used it as a measurement of how my body was doing.

thunter34 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2007, 08:43:22 pm »

Maybe this can help? Random link I found.

http://www.normanallan.com/Med/askdr/finger.html

Nail things tend to be like HIV "symptoms" in general, I think. Could mean just about anything. Sometimes it might mean something big, but usually not. I think it is most often kind of like the rings on a tree- reflective of how you were doing overall at that season. Most often, it ends up being a nutritional thing or a sign of an infection. I wouldn't be all that suprised if it is just showing your PCP to Atripla season...and is progressing outward over time til it reaches the end of your finger. I wouldn't stress too much over it just yet.

Peter6836 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:02:01 pm »

I started Atripla around the same time that you did. I have noticed problems with my fingernails as well. Not only have I got ridges but the thumb nails keep splitting down the center. I kept thinking that once I cut them it would stop but it just keeps splitting. I saw my ID doctor last week and asked him about it. He told me that it could be the medication, but he also said that your nails reflect your health from about three months earlier. I was quite sick with a viral count of almost 500,000 and a CD4 count around 100. Any way he said not to be to concerned about it now. In the meantime I started taking calcium.
Peter

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:11:18 pm »

For some reason both my parents swear eating jello solves all finger nail problems.

sdcabincrew74 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:15:14 pm »

The only change I really noticed was that my nails grow really, REALLY fast now. Not sure if that is good or bad, but I attribute it to the meds. No ridges or anything but I am on Reyetaz, Norvir and Truvada

thunter34 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:24:06 pm »

Hey- my nails also grow like wild fire now. That's a meds thing, you think?

anniebc · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:50:07 pm »

Hi David

Vertical nail ridges that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail are fairly common, they don't nessacerally indicate serious illness and are known to increase with age...(sorry.

)

If by any chance they change color or you develope horizontal ridges,then maybe go see your doctor, some changes could indicate an underlying additional health problem, but I wouldn't worry about this too much.

I have had ridges for a while now (but then again I am getting old..

) I just keep them smooth by filing and buffing, it's not something I have ever worried about.

Hugs
Jan

livingpositively · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2007, 10:39:06 pm »

Quote from: philly267 on March 18, 2007, 09:11:18 pm

For some reason both my parents swear eating jello solves all finger nail problems.

I've heard that about jello. Whether or not it's true, I don't know.

Sounds like some interesting theories and ideas, David. Keep us posted if you find out anything.

Shane

David_CA · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2007, 11:23:30 pm »

Both of us are on Atripla and both have noticed the fast nail growing thing. We both have the horizontal ridges, too (side to side). I was sick (PCP back in Nov-Dec), but hubby has been nothing but healthy. Who knows. I figured I'd just done something to them, but when I noticed all of them having the ridges, I asked hubby and he mentioned that he'd noticed them too. I'll ask my Dr. at my next appt (in 2.5 months). Tim, I've had no problems with skin issues, except for some seborrah prior to meds. That cleared up most likely due to the improvement in my immunity and the Bactrim that I'm still on. Thanks for the posts.

David

antibody · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2007, 07:29:40 pm »

i've had the vertical nail thing on one nail. i noticed it long before testing pos and long before starting Atripla. i'm guessing i've had it about 10 years.

cubbybear · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2007, 09:48:00 pm »

Those verticle ridges have nothing to do with HIV or Meds.. it's very common. Being a nurse, I've seen it on a lot of people, my folks had it too. I've got it also.

koi1 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2007, 09:55:05 pm »

I have heard of mono deforming nails. I have been on Atripla and have not noticed any nail changes. Don't share the new nail formula with the nail junkies. "Atripla, better than a trip to the nail salon!"

David_CA · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:44:25 pm »

Quote from: cubbybear on March 19, 2007, 09:48:00 pm

Those vertical ridges have nothing to do with HIV or Meds.. it's very common. Being a nurse, I've seen it on a lot of people, my folks had it too. I've got it also.

I'm referring to horizontal ridges (side to side). Actually, it's more of a recessed line across my nails. It's not that bad, but we've not had them 'til the meds.

David

thunter34 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 19, 2007, 11:50:10 pm »

"We've not had them"? You both have them? I thought it was just you.

northernguy · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2007, 12:17:34 am »

Quote from: thunter34 on March 18, 2007, 08:29:43 pm

Hey, sug! Lemme ask ya: Have you had any history with stuff of the dermatitis variety? Eczema, psoriasis, etc? Some of this can manifest with that appearance in your nails, too. It's not a big whoop.

Yep, I've got them too, plus hand eczema.

joemutt · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2007, 09:43:44 am »

Rigs; I had them forever, first on my big toes now on all my fingers, well before hiv, my nails are very soft, they dont break they tear and I eat extra calcium. Ah, well, somet things just are, i once asked a supposedly very good dermatologist and she asked if I had a hammer blow on my big toe once, mmm like never.

Strayboy74 · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2007, 10:28:21 am »

Quote from: thunter34 on March 18, 2007, 08:29:43 pm

EDITIED TO SAY: Your nails can act kind of like the rings of a tree...

That's why I keep mine cut short - so that nobody can figure out how old I am.

-joseph

shepsmom · « **Reply #19 on:** March 20, 2007, 02:11:45 pm »

This can also be caused by doing a lot of dishes in hot hot water. Hand washing and dry wniter weather also dry out the nails. When you put moisturizer on your hands, make sure to put some on each nail. Try to use rubber gloves if you do the dishes by hand.

David_CA · « **Reply #20 on:** March 20, 2007, 02:22:58 pm »

Quote from: thunter34 on March 19, 2007, 11:50:10 pm

"We've not had them"? You both have them? I thought it was just you.

Nope, both of us. Maybe it's the Atripla.

cubbybear · « **Reply #21 on:** March 20, 2007, 07:52:16 pm »

Hi David. Even if they are horizontal its still common and normal in hiv -ve people. Trust me. I know it's easy to blame the meds for things, especially if timing seems right, but how do you explain horizontal or verticle ridges on negative people? I used to blame my meds for everything... most things I've realised are just facets or normal life, even if they seem coincidental.

Your ridges arent atripla related, there's too many people in the world with them who aren't on atripla.

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Author Topic: Ridges in Fingernails (Read 13214 times)