Hi,

I was just wondering whether anyone has heard of or had Beau's lines on their nails.

I ask because I've noticed before sort of ridges across my big toenails - only on one side of the nail as well. It's not something that I can descibe very well but its as though the nail is peeling slightly. It's never been a problem before but today when I was taking red nail polish off and had to almost 'scrub' at my nail I decided something needed to be done.

The doctor should probably be my first port of call I guess but I don't really want to go if it's something simple. I googled (I know I shouldn't) and I though that it was more likely to be Beau's lines than any of the other nail conditions that came up.

If anyone has any ideas then I would be grateful.

Sounds to me like the nails might be a bit dehydrated, especially if you're wearing polish regularly? This can cause a ridged appearance as the nails become more and more dried out. (Don't scrub to get polish off btw as this will force the colour deeper into the nail - hold a pad soaked with remover on the nail for a few seconds to allow it to soak through the layers before you wipe).

I'd try very lightly buffing the affected areas and then applying a good quality cuticle oil to the whole nail surface a couple of times a day to rehydrate them, and see if you see any improvement. And forego the polish for a while.

HTH

Hi again Sarah

I've noticed that you've logged on a couple of times since I posted the reply above. I do hope you found it helpful?

Hi

Found it very useful, thank you.
I'm not a huge nail polish wearer on my feet, usually just occasionally in summer when I feel like it so will leave it off for a while. Thanks for the tip on not scrubbing - hadn't thought of that.

I don't have cuticle oil, so at the minute am using some hand and nail cream - has vitamin e and things in - and making sure that when I moisturise my feet I apply to toenails too. Will see how it goes.

That's good - I'd definitely invest in some good cuticle oil though, it should make all the difference. Solar Oil by CND is the best, if you can find it.

Thanks I'll look out for it.

Quick update - I got cuticle oil and have been applying once a day (occasionally twice) religiously. My right big toe nail has a horizontal split in it, just above a 1/4 of the way down, on the outside of my foot and it probably goes just under half way across. I think it's one of the 'ridges' that has split. A gentle lift of it, shows the nail is growing and if this bit of nail was to come off, it wouldn't be too horrendous waiting for it to grow back to cover the rest of the toe. I've got myself a toe protector cover thing and wear that when I'm out and about so as to protect it.

I'm also enjoying the warmer weather as it means I can 'air' my feet off in flip flops and things (and I know that sounds ridiculous) - now just have to continue with the hard skin removal and I'm all set for nice feet!

Glad to hear that all the intensive care is paying off!

I had trouble with a couple of finger nails for a few years - I've always taken care of my hands & nails and was distraught at this. Hence, I went to the Docs - I was treated as having a fungal infection and took expensive tablets and painted on lotions for another year or so. ( I'm 54 btw) then one time I couldn't see my regular doctor and when mentioning this problem & reason for my prescription to the other doctor she immediately had me send off nail clippings - I was diagnosed with with psoriasis of the nails. Not much you can do about it really - a cream that's basically vitamin D - plus now I feel the excessive skin growing under some of my toenails and I have to visit a podiatrist as I'm shortsighted and would hack my toenails to death!
There's no way I can claim any treatment fee, I don't work, don't claim any benefits so I have to pay £24 a month to have my toenails cut and checked out.

Eeek! Thanks for your story though... the more I research, I'm not sure if it is beau's lines (I know I shouldn't self diagnose through the internet). The lines are only on one side of my big toe nail, and near the top now (so growing out hopefully) and apart from the split on my right one, have never caused me any problems since I noticed them.

I'm hoping that they are just dehydrated as my feet are always in socks/boots/wellies and bed socks during winter and I tend to only spend more time on them in summer when I have flip flops on etc. I think I'll wait until this split has grown out and carry on with cuticle oil/moisturiser until then, and then if I need to go to the doctor and get them looked at I will. I don't particularly like going to the doctors, and I really dislike feet, so I'm in no rush, so hopefully they'll improve with some care and attention.