A few weeks ago I noticed that that white under-area of nails was growing on my left thumb. As in my nail was separating from my nail bed. Yuck, I know. I couldn’t figure out why it was happening but it didn’t hurt so I just kept on painting my nails—out of sight, out of mind. That is until I felt a weird pressure on my thumb. Not pain, just a feeling I’d never felt before. Worried I could be losing my thumb nail, I went to a dermatologist who specializes in nails.

Turns out my thumb nail had suffered trauma. Sounds like I did something crazy, right? Nope. I did a routine under-the-nail cleaning, only I dug a little too deep. Like a run in a pair of tights, I created a tiny separation between the nail and skin and it just kept growing. (My frequent use of acetone really irritated it.)

Anyway, the doctor’s instructions were: cut the nail as short as possible, no bandaid, avoid water, and of course, no nail polish. Oh, and I have to use an anti-fungal lotion to avoid real nastiness.

Having to look at what I call my ug-thumb has been heartbreaking. I’ve given Tumblr a bit of a break, because, well, it’s difficult to see all these beautiful nails. But I could’ve lost the nail completely, so I’m just thankful my ug-thumb is still holding on and steadily growing out.

In the meantime, I’ve found a temporary solution so that I can get back on my nail art game—nail rings! I’ve only got one so far but since I have a couple months before my thumbs completely grows out, I’m on a mission for more.

• Tags
• nails
• nail art
• nail design
• nail polish
• thumb
• gradation
• nail ring
• claw
• trauma
• dermatologist

Right in time for Easter, this pastel vertical gradation, which seems to have an Indian flare to it, is an awesome change of pace. Plus, I’m loving the gold rims.

• Tags
• nails
• nail art
• nail design
• nail polish
• rim
• gold
• indian
• pastel
• gradation
• vertical
• easter
• spring
• studs
• manicure