Millennial Woman Asks Internet Why Nail Is 'Bumpy'—Unprepared for Response
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A millennial woman with an unusually ridged thumbnail sparked an online discussion after turning to Reddit for help identifying the cause of her oddly textured nail.
Reddit user u/chiefmilkshake posted a photo of her thumbnail to the subreddit r/mildlyinfuriating, where it quickly gained traction, receiving over 28,000 upvotes. The image showed a visibly bumpy nail surface, prompting thousands to weigh in with personal anecdotes, amateur diagnoses, and expert theories.
"My thumbnail grows bumpy. The bumps then grows out and grows back in again," the woman wrote, summing up the perplexing pattern of her nail's growth.
Curious about the possible causes, Newsweek consulted three medical professionals for their insights.
Expert Opinions on Ridged or Bumpy Nails
Dr. Brynna Connor, health care ambassador at NorthWestPharmacy.com, told Newsweek that multiple factors can contribute to ridging or bumpiness in nails, ranging from benign aging to serious medical conditions.
Connor said: "You should talk to your doctor if you notice persistent and/or unusual nail changes such as pitting, thickening, and/or separation from the nail bed (that isn't due to trauma to the nail), discoloration in the form of yellowing, white streak, and/or oil spots, brittle nails, crumbling nails, and/or abnormal ridging in the nails, and pain or swelling around the nail/nail beds.
"This is because, while some nail changes may be benign or due to nutritional deficiencies, others may signal more-serious underlying health conditions," she said.
Connor noted that vertical ridges—running from the cuticle to the tip—are typically a normal part of aging and often result from slower cell regeneration in the nail matrix.
However, Connor cautioned that pronounced or irregular ridges, especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as discoloration or thinning, may signal deeper health concerns. Horizontal ridges, known as Beau's Lines, are often caused by a temporary stoppage in nail growth and could indicate severe illness, zinc deficiency, or uncontrolled diabetes.
Stock image: A woman filing her nails.
Stock image: A woman filing her nails.
Sam Edwards/Sam Edwards
Connor added that chronic inflammatory conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis or eczema, may also disrupt nail growth. These conditions can affect the nail matrix, causing pits, thickening, or surface irregularities.
Changes in nail texture may reflect nutritional deficiencies—including low levels of iron, biotin, zinc, magnesium, or vitamin B12—or systemic illnesses such as thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, or liver and kidney dysfunction. Trauma to the nail or matrix, like injury, can also interfere with normal growth.
Connor advised seeing a doctor if symptoms such as discoloration, thickening, separation from the nail bed, brittleness, or pain around the nail persist.
She outlined conditions like clubbing, spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia), Terry's nails, and Beau's Lines as examples of nail changes that could indicate serious health issues. Early diagnosis, Connor said, is key.
As for prevention, she recommended general nail care—keeping nails short and dry—and addressing nutritional gaps with supplements or dietary changes as guided by a doctor.
Dr. Allison Leer, board-certified dermatologist and cofounder of Botanist, told Newsweek that ridging or bumpiness in the nails can result from various causes.
Leer pointed to temporary interruptions in nail growth due to illness or fever as a common trigger of horizontal ridges. Repetitive trauma, like pressing, biting, or tapping nails, is another frequent—but often overlooked—cause.
"In certain cases, health issues such as anemia, thyroid dysfunction, and vitamin deficiencies can cause bumpiness on the nails. Compared to other factors, underlying health issues will often lead to a more-sudden change in your nails," Leer said.
She added that individuals should consult a dermatologist if ridges appear suddenly or are isolated to a single nail.
Treatment, Leer said, depends on the root cause. If repetitive behaviors are involved, awareness and behavior modification are crucial. In cases related to nutritional deficiencies, a well-rounded diet or targeted supplementation may help. For nail texture changes stemming from medical conditions, treating the underlying issue is necessary for long-term improvement.
Sam Fuller, a board-certified plastic and hand surgeon, offered a unique perspective by linking nail ridging to arthritis.
He told Newsweek that degenerative changes in the finger joints, such as bone spurs or mucous cysts, can affect the germinal matrix of the nail due to its close proximity. This disruption in the matrix can lead to grooving and surface irregularities.
"Many dermatologists and physicians mistake this for a fungal infection or skin cancer. Fortunately, this is a common issue I see in my hand practice," Fuller said.
While surgical removal of cysts and arthritic tissue may relieve pain, the resulting nail changes may be permanent, with a risk of recurrence. In such cases, Fuller said that topical treatments are generally ineffective, and no preventive measures can guarantee smooth nail growth.
Reddit Reacts
Reddit users quickly chimed in with their own theories and experiences, with many pointing to habits or self-soothing behaviors as culprits.
"I have the exact same problem, only slightly worse. I realized it's caused by constantly pressing my other fingers against my thumb as a sort of stress relief. Like a continuous form of stimming. When I stopped, I noticed the creases started to disappear," shared one user.
"OMG [oh my God] I thought I was the only one. It's ruined my nailbed and I just have wonky thumbs," said another.
"I've got the most basic form of stimming, I just chew on my fingernails until they hurt. It's such a hard habit to kick," added a third user.
Others suggested possible medical causes, with one commenter writing: "This is a vitamin deficiency, if I remember correctly."
Another posted: "This will also happen after you lost a nail. The nailbed foundation is damaged and your nail will grow like this for quite a while. It will recover eventually."
Newsweek reached out to u/chiefmilkshake for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
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