What Causes Ridges And Bumps On Finger Nails?

Posted on Fri, 16 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 Answered on

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : What is the cause of ridges & bumps in ny finger nails, welts on skin, dry skin, bleeding gums, occasional tounge sores & lightheadedness. Standard blood tests yield nothing wrong. Could it be deficiency or poison?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
?? Suspecting a deficiency to be more likely

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. In my opinion your symptoms are more likely to be associated with a deficiency, quite possibly a vitamin B12 deficiency along with some other nutrient as well.

I would thus recommend the following:

+Physical examination
+Comprehensive blood count (which should confirm anemia)
+Nutrient levels (vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, etc.)
+Serum iron level
and other parameters recommended by the doctor who gets to physically examine you.

I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help you.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (23 minutes later)

Is it possible to be deficient in b12 if u eat all food groups

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes it still is, let me tell you how

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Yes it still is.

Vitamin B12 and iron are absorbed into the body from the large intestine, and so even if you have a diet rich in vitamin B12 and iron you can still have a deficiency in the same if there is some abnormality with that part of your intestine responsible for absorption of these nutrients. Examples of a few conditions include irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis, etc.

I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you ma'am. I am glad you have very relevant questions and would like you to know that I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (51 minutes later)

Would I have any idea if my intestines had issues? Other than some constipation & occasional mild loose stool I do not have any problems

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Both are symptoms of an abnormality

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again.

Both constipation and occasional mild stool occurring in the absence of a fever are signs of an abnormality. We could have possibly found the cause for your symptoms, but it will of course require laboratory and physician confirmation.

I hope you find my response helpful ma'am. Please do not hesitate to write to me about anything, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (0 minute later)

Can stress cause this?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can contribute, cannot be solely responsible

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

Stress can lead to an aggravation of the condition, but it cannot be the main/primary cause to its onset ma'am.

Best wishes.

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar