Vertical grooves on the fingernail of the middle finger
Vertical grooves on the middle finger's nail may result from physiological factors or pathological conditions such as anemia or onychomycosis, and treatment should be tailored according to the specific cause. Detailed analysis is as follows:
I. Physiological Factors
Normal nails may sometimes exhibit slight vertical grooves that are generally not prominent and do not cause significant discomfort. This is considered a normal physiological phenomenon and usually requires no intervention.
II. Pathological Factors
1. Anemia
In daily life, frequent picky eating or selective eating habits may lead to anemia. Patients often experience symptoms such as pale skin and dizziness. Some individuals may also develop pale, thin nails, or even spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia), which can manifest as vertical grooves on the middle finger's nail. Under medical guidance, medications such as ferrous succinate tablets or iron dextran dispersible tablets may be taken to alleviate symptoms.
2. Onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is a fungal skin infection. Fungal invasion can not only cause vertical ridges and indentations on the nail but may also lead to debris accumulation under the nail and nail detachment. Topical treatments such as miconazole nitrate cream or ciclopirox cream may be used as directed by a physician.
Besides the above relatively common causes, other possible conditions include psoriasis, lichen planus, syphilis, etc. If any discomfort occurs, prompt medical evaluation and timely treatment are recommended to avoid disease progression.