Since an hæmorrhagic stroke eighteen years ago, the nails on my affected (right) hand and foot have grown more coarsely - thicker and ridged - than those of the unaffected (left) side. My skin also seems rougher in places such as the hand.
Is this a common experience and is there any published research about it?
Hi Geoffrey, I suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in 2017 and have since found that my finger/toe nails are thicker and very ridged on my affected side (left).
Unfortunately I have never been able to find out why. Sorry I couldn’t answer your question but at least you know that it’s not just you.
Hopefully someone else might be able to offer us both an explanation.
Regards Sue
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Thank you for your kind reply. I will try Copilot to see what happens.
My hemiplegia has changed with age and I am now moved by Sara Stedy to get to my wheelchair etc. I have portable ramps to get out of the house. I am eighty-nine and lucky to be here DV.
My nails are more ridged but that could be a menopause thing for me as they are more brittle too. I used to have lovely nails but alas no more.
Hello Geoffrey - I have just checked my Mum’s finger nails and toe nails and found no significant differences between nails on affected side vs non-affected side. Her stroke was six years ago.
Interestingly enough, I myself have a similar problem to what you describe. My right leg toe nails are harder, discoloured etc i.e. anything but normal 
I have not had a stroke but this problem has been with me for many years - it’s only the right foot that is always affected by something or other - cracked heels are a permanent feature, occasional athletes foot infection, toe nails “in growing”, hard, discoloured etc. I have no idea what causes it, but it seems it is some sort of fungal infection.
Back to you, being eight-nine and having had the stroke eighteen years ago, I wonder if this is just part of aging.
I hope you get the answer that you seek.
What is this?
Other than nail fungus in 2 toes my nails have remained the same. Those two toes do have thickened nails but were that way long before the stroke. And the only way to clear them now would be more medication, which naturally I’m loath to do as we’re on enough meds as it is.
Lorraine