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Clough · May 10, 2010, 11:25 PM

Hi, All!

The tips of most, if not all of the fingernails on either of my hands are bent down slightly. That would be from the very tip to about halfway across/up the fingernails. On some of them, it looks like they're bent down about ten, maybe even more, degrees.

My assumption would be that the condition could be due to decades of playing instruments with keyboards on them.

A long time ago, a nurse friend who took care of my mom, thought that it might be something else though, that caused and is causing it.

Could there be some medical reason for that sort of condition, please?

Thanks!

tickle · May 11, 2010, 04:19 AM

I tend to think the way you do, in that your fingernails are curved because you have played musical instruments for so many years, Clough.

I don't think that nurse should have given you the idea that it was from a medical condition. She could not have been qualified to do so, not saying nurses aren't qualified but in that circumstance it was not her call. It seems she had created worry for you that could have been avoided.

There is an old saying 'be careful what you wish for, you may get it'; and in this case don't look for trouble where there isn't any, and in any event, if you want to ease your mind, see a doctor and be diagnosed properly.

Tick

J_9 · May 11, 2010, 04:25 AM

Clough, are you a smoker?

Clough · May 11, 2010, 11:18 AM

J_9, no.

ballengerb1 · May 11, 2010, 11:56 AM

Found this link for you Why Do My Fingernails Curl Down? - Blurtit

Clough · May 22, 2010, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the link, ballengerb1!

It's interesting, that the nails of my right hand fingers are more curved than the ones on my left hand.

tickle · May 23, 2010, 08:41 AM

Hi again Clough. Which hand do you favour for playing the guitar ? Is that the hand that the nails are curving on ? I read the link and totally agree with medical issues being reflected in nails. Many years ago I was sent to an oriental cardiologist and the first thing he looked at was my nails. Nails and toenails can tell so much about a person's health, as I have more than found out after taking my footcare course to get my certificate.

Tick

J_9 · May 23, 2010, 09:02 AM

Typically it's caused by a decrease in oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide. That is why I asked if you were a smoker. This is very common in smokers or people with COPD among other ailments.

DrBill100 · May 23, 2010, 11:14 AM

Clough,

Sounds like the Porter Waggoner Syndrome.

Of course I know nothing about this condition either. Just thought I'd check in as a friend and recertify my profound ignorance in relation to another of your symptoms.

tickle · May 23, 2010, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by J_9

Typically it's caused by a decrease in oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide. That is why I asked if you were a smoker. This is very common in smokers or people with COPD among other ailments.

I have one or two COPD clients (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) caused by smoking, or other life threatening work related occurrences as in people in the home decorating business who have to remove old wallpaper, working with plaster, etc. (my fave guy who comes in to help me and charges lightly, is off work because of this, has a lung ailment and not a smoker). The other one is positive COPD and still smokes in the home (where I visit) and warning on the door. Okay, has anyone ever seen an oxygen related accident with someone who uses oxygen. It isn't pretty, the whole face catches fire. Sorry, okay. Back to the thread at hand.

Clough said he wasn't a smoker. My one client with COPD, J-9, has healthy nails, so go figure. As now with my cert in nail care I know what to look for. Footcare is more telling then nail care because all the bad stuff goes down (stay in the foot bones and nails) and back up. Think about it.

DrBill don't take my qualifications lightly, I know what I am talking about. I choose not to be called a health expert.

Tick

Clough · May 23, 2010, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by DrBill100

Clough,

Sounds like the Porter Waggoner Syndrome.

? :confused:

DrBill100 · May 23, 2010, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by Clough

?? :confused:

Porter Waggoner was a left hand guitar picker and singer on the Grand Ole Opry. Early on the did many duets with Dolly Parton. Thought it might amuse you.

Clough · May 23, 2010, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by tickle

hi again Clough. Which hand do you favour for playing the guitar ? Is that the hand that the nails are curving on ? I read the link and totally agree with medical issues being reflected in nails. Many years ago I was sent to an oriental cardiologist and the first thing he looked at was my nails. Nails and toenails can tell so much about a person's health, as I have more than found out after taking my footcare course to get my certificate.

tick

Hi, tickle!

When I play the guitar, which is rarely, neither hand is favored and I play it with both of them.

Like I've mentioned earlier, the finger nails of my right hand are more curved than the ones on the left. The right hand is the one that gets the most "beating" from playing hard pieces on the piano.

Just so people know, I try to keep my fingernails cut really short, so that they don't extend out over the tip of the skin on the ends of the fingers. I do that for several reasons: 1. So that I will be less likely to damage a fingernail. 2. So that the fingernails will be less likely to make noise when I'm playing any kind of keyboard instrument. I play on the tips of my fingers. 3. For general hygiene and appearance.

Thanks!

thisisit · May 23, 2010, 08:33 PM

To be safe, next time you see a doctor, bring it to the doctor's attention. It could be just from playing the piano or keyboard, or it could be an important clue to a health problem.

Clough · May 23, 2010, 09:58 PM

I will, thisisit!

Just for a note here...

None of my fingernails are chipped, break easily or are discolored in any way. Most of them just bend down. The least bent would be those on my left hand as well as both of my thumbs as well as little fingers.

Thanks!

thisisit · May 24, 2010, 05:51 AM

That is good and points more to keyboarding as the cause. Besides not using the tips of your thumbs to play the piano, your thumb nails are the strongest. Worry can also hurt your health, so try not to worry too much.

Clough · May 24, 2010, 10:47 PM

Not worrying is a huge problem!

jmjoseph · May 25, 2010, 01:37 AM

Clough, I take B-12 daily, and have for years. I have never given my nails much thought, I just trim them regularly. I hate it when they get even an eighth of an inch past the ends . But you should see them. They are as straight as a gun barrel!

The rest of me is as crooked as Dogwood tree, but my nails are straight. Could it be the B-12? Could it be that I don't worry that much? I don't know.

So, the point I am trying to make? None really, I'm just glad that THIS isn't one of my problems. I have enough right now to deal with.

Trim your nails, take B-12, and if they don't hurt, then play your heart out. Mention it to the DR. and stop sweating the small stuff.

God bless you my friend!