Health

Why did my client's natural nails suddenly become grooved?

December 20, 2010 | Bookmark +

I have a client who’s had very pretty natural nails until recently. Suddenly, her nail plates appeared grooved. She does not wear artificial nails, is not on any medication, and is in good health. What caused this to happen and what can I do to fix her nails?

Answer

Nails may be grooved in two directions: from side to side or from the cuticle outward. When the grooves are from the cuticle outward, they are called longitudinal grooves of the nail, and these are most commonly caused by a cyst, or a little growth in the skin next to the proximal nail fold. To treat this type of cyst, called a myxoma, some form of surgery is typically performed.

When the grooves are from side to side, which is by far more common, they are referred to as Beau’s lines. The most common cause of this disorder is a yeast infection of the skin around the cuticle. This infection injures the nail matrix; because of this type of injury, the matrix cannot produce a smooth nail but instead produces a grooved one. Considering that your client is in good health and not on any medication, a doctor must first provide a diagnosis and treatment. If it is the common yeast infection, then it can be treated with antifungal cream or pills. — Dr. Scher

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What’s the cause of the pinkish-red oval area on the pad of my client’s toes?

I have a client who has a recurring problem with her fourth toes during the winter months. Both of her “ring finger” toes develop a pinkish-red oval area on the pad. Then a month later, when I see her again, the skin has become dry and hard like a callus, with the layers of skin peeling away to reveal a deeper, dark epicenter.  It’s extremely painful for her and, needless to say, we do not touch it. But it clears up in the summer when she’s wearing open-toed sandals, so I suspect it has to be due to the boots she wears in the winter. Plus she never puts lotion on her feet or uses a foot file in between visits. What do you think causes this?

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What are the big white spots on my natural-nail client’s nails?

I have a client who has been with me for about two years. She used to wear acrylic nails but has been a natural nail client for eight months or so. She has these white spots on her nails — big spots that are dry, but not flaky, right in the middle of the nail. I did try to buff them lightly but they do not come off or grow off. I had a new client come in last week who had the same on her toenails. She said it started after she had a pedicure done at another salon. Can you help?

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