Ridges in Finger Nails

Q:  I have been reading your answers to other people with problems and enjoy your column. I wonder if you know what's wrong with my fingernails.

For the last 4 or 5 years I have had ridges in my nails, and for the past 2 years they have gotten so bad that they crack and split. I've tried buffing with a cuticle oil two or three times a day. I also went to a nail specialist and had them tipped and wrapped, but I got no results. Some say its stress that causes my problem.

A:  Nail ridges are fairly common in older people (I hope you're not offended if you happen to be young!). There is actually a medical term, "onychorrhexis," for this condition. Splitting occurs because of dryness, which causes the nails to get hard and brittle, leading to splitting near the nail tips. This can occur spontaneously or with minor trauma. Wrapping of nails or artificial tips may actually make the problem worse by not letting the nails "breathe". Does stress make them worse? Who knows! Stress probably is related to many conditions.

Dermatologists recommend using a strong moisturizer that contains lactic acid (like Eucerin cream) twice a day, especially after a shower or when the nails are wet. It may take several weeks before you see results. If the splitting persists, you should see a dermatologist to investigate the possibility of infection.

"Dear Doctor" is a compilation of patient questions answered by doctors from the Medical College of Wisconsin.