fingernail discoloration after diving

[padudle]

Hello All

I have noticed over the years that I get white marks on my fingernails 2 to 3 weeks after a dive trip. They look like the little bruises you get on the nail if you whack the base of your fingernail against something. A little white bar forms and with growth of the nail, they are displaced upward and eventually disappear when trimmed

This is about the fifth time I've noticed this phenomenon and I see it right now on all 10 fingers from a 6 day dive trip that ended June 2nd. I think I get it on my toenails too but they grow slower so I don't know this time.

I've seen these marks called Mee's lines when they traverse the entire nail from side to side and can indicate poisoning with arsenic or thallium. My marks don't go quite all the way accross the nail.

Please, has anyone else noticed this on their nails? Can anyone explain it?

Pete

PS: this is a re-post from the "Diving into Fitness" forum.

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Pete,

Are these simply white lines across the nail or are there actual linear depressions traversing the nail?

Do have any medical conditions or are you on any medications?

Are you strictly a recreational diver?

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[padudle]

Doc

Thanks for the interest

I always dive within recreational limits and within no-decompression limits.

The marks are only white discolorations under the nail. There is no deformation of the nail or discomfort.

I will try to capture it in a photograph and post a link.

Maybe we have discovered a new previously undocumented form of dcs. If so what will we name it?

 

[DocVikingo]

Digital decompression disorder? Underwater unguicular unhealth?

In the meantime, does it look like this? ----> http://www.skinatlas.com/leuconychia.htm

If so, there are a very large number of causes for this condition. As the question, "Do have any medical conditions or are you on any medications?," was glossed over, the assumption is that the diver is otherwise entirely healthy. If correct, trauma of some sort occurring somewhere during dive trips suggests itself, perhaps how gear is carried and handled causing pulling or pressing upon the nail.

However, the consistent involvement of all of the fingernails, and perhaps some involvement of the toenails as well, suggests the need to rule out a more systemic process.

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice with you or any other individual and should not be construed as such.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[padudle]

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/pete.dudley/closeup.jpg

It is not extreme discoloration but it is on all 10 fingernails.

I think the size of the mark depends on the length of my dive trip.

 

[dive_lover88]

I also have that problem too,my fingernails would also become soft and the top layer would peel off.