Latest news with #SamEdwards
Newsweek
22-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Millennial Woman Asks Internet Why Nail Is 'Bumpy'—Unprepared for Response
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A millennial woman with an unusually ridged thumbnail sparked an online discussion after turning to Reddit for help identifying the cause of her oddly textured nail. Reddit user u/chiefmilkshake posted a photo of her thumbnail to the subreddit r/mildlyinfuriating, where it quickly gained traction, receiving over 28,000 upvotes. The image showed a visibly bumpy nail surface, prompting thousands to weigh in with personal anecdotes, amateur diagnoses, and expert theories. "My thumbnail grows bumpy. The bumps then grows out and grows back in again," the woman wrote, summing up the perplexing pattern of her nail's growth. Curious about the possible causes, Newsweek consulted three medical professionals for their insights. Expert Opinions on Ridged or Bumpy Nails Dr. Brynna Connor, health care ambassador at told Newsweek that multiple factors can contribute to ridging or bumpiness in nails, ranging from benign aging to serious medical conditions. Connor said: "You should talk to your doctor if you notice persistent and/or unusual nail changes such as pitting, thickening, and/or separation from the nail bed (that isn't due to trauma to the nail), discoloration in the form of yellowing, white streak, and/or oil spots, brittle nails, crumbling nails, and/or abnormal ridging in the nails, and pain or swelling around the nail/nail beds. "This is because, while some nail changes may be benign or due to nutritional deficiencies, others may signal more-serious underlying health conditions," she said. Connor noted that vertical ridges—running from the cuticle to the tip—are typically a normal part of aging and often result from slower cell regeneration in the nail matrix. However, Connor cautioned that pronounced or irregular ridges, especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as discoloration or thinning, may signal deeper health concerns. Horizontal ridges, known as Beau's Lines, are often caused by a temporary stoppage in nail growth and could indicate severe illness, zinc deficiency, or uncontrolled diabetes. Stock image: A woman filing her nails. Stock image: A woman filing her nails. Sam Edwards/Sam Edwards Connor added that chronic inflammatory conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis or eczema, may also disrupt nail growth. These conditions can affect the nail matrix, causing pits, thickening, or surface irregularities. Changes in nail texture may reflect nutritional deficiencies—including low levels of iron, biotin, zinc, magnesium, or vitamin B12—or systemic illnesses such as thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, or liver and kidney dysfunction. Trauma to the nail or matrix, like injury, can also interfere with normal growth. Connor advised seeing a doctor if symptoms such as discoloration, thickening, separation from the nail bed, brittleness, or pain around the nail persist. She outlined conditions like clubbing, spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia), Terry's nails, and Beau's Lines as examples of nail changes that could indicate serious health issues. Early diagnosis, Connor said, is key. As for prevention, she recommended general nail care—keeping nails short and dry—and addressing nutritional gaps with supplements or dietary changes as guided by a doctor. Dr. Allison Leer, board-certified dermatologist and cofounder of Botanist, told Newsweek that ridging or bumpiness in the nails can result from various causes. Leer pointed to temporary interruptions in nail growth due to illness or fever as a common trigger of horizontal ridges. Repetitive trauma, like pressing, biting, or tapping nails, is another frequent—but often overlooked—cause. "In certain cases, health issues such as anemia, thyroid dysfunction, and vitamin deficiencies can cause bumpiness on the nails. Compared to other factors, underlying health issues will often lead to a more-sudden change in your nails," Leer said. She added that individuals should consult a dermatologist if ridges appear suddenly or are isolated to a single nail. Treatment, Leer said, depends on the root cause. If repetitive behaviors are involved, awareness and behavior modification are crucial. In cases related to nutritional deficiencies, a well-rounded diet or targeted supplementation may help. For nail texture changes stemming from medical conditions, treating the underlying issue is necessary for long-term improvement. Sam Fuller, a board-certified plastic and hand surgeon, offered a unique perspective by linking nail ridging to arthritis. He told Newsweek that degenerative changes in the finger joints, such as bone spurs or mucous cysts, can affect the germinal matrix of the nail due to its close proximity. This disruption in the matrix can lead to grooving and surface irregularities. "Many dermatologists and physicians mistake this for a fungal infection or skin cancer. Fortunately, this is a common issue I see in my hand practice," Fuller said. While surgical removal of cysts and arthritic tissue may relieve pain, the resulting nail changes may be permanent, with a risk of recurrence. In such cases, Fuller said that topical treatments are generally ineffective, and no preventive measures can guarantee smooth nail growth. Reddit Reacts Reddit users quickly chimed in with their own theories and experiences, with many pointing to habits or self-soothing behaviors as culprits. "I have the exact same problem, only slightly worse. I realized it's caused by constantly pressing my other fingers against my thumb as a sort of stress relief. Like a continuous form of stimming. When I stopped, I noticed the creases started to disappear," shared one user. "OMG [oh my God] I thought I was the only one. It's ruined my nailbed and I just have wonky thumbs," said another. "I've got the most basic form of stimming, I just chew on my fingernails until they hurt. It's such a hard habit to kick," added a third user. Others suggested possible medical causes, with one commenter writing: "This is a vitamin deficiency, if I remember correctly." Another posted: "This will also happen after you lost a nail. The nailbed foundation is damaged and your nail will grow like this for quite a while. It will recover eventually." Newsweek reached out to u/chiefmilkshake for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case. Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@ We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sam Edwards, proud father and grandfather of 'Michigan men,' dies at 87
In a family that produced multiple athletic standouts, none were better than the late Sam Edwards, says his son Stan Edwards. And when Stan Edwards talks about the athletes in his family, the native Detroiter is not talking about just any family that participated in sports. A high school All American in 1976 as a senior running back at Kettering High School, Stanley Edwards would take his talents to the University of Michigan, where he was a second team All Big Ten selection during his senior campaign, which paved the way for his entry into the NFL. Stanley Edwards' son, Braylon, made quite the name for himself at Michigan as well, and by the time his collegiate days were over, Braylon Edwards was good enough to be the third overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft as a wide receiver. Other members of the family — Bailey Edwards, Berkley Edwards and Brandan Kearney — also have played for professional sports teams. And Stanley Edwards' son, Shakir, earned letters in football and track and field at Michigan. However, Sam Edwards accomplished something as an athlete that his son, grandsons and other relatives never did, and Stan Edwards spoke about this accomplishment and more with a heavy heart on May 14 as he reflected on the life of his father, who died in Detroit on April 8 at the age of 87. 'As a ninth grader at Detroit's Miller High School, my dad made All-City in the 400-yard dash,' Stan Edwards proudly said about a period of his father's life during the 1950s when he attended the former Sidney D. Miller High School, located at 2322 DuBois, in what was then the historic Black Bottom neighborhood. 'My dad also played football at Miller High School where he was molded by two great coaches, Will Robinson (head football coach) and Leroy Dues (head track coach). He instilled that foundation into his family.' Stan Edwards says his father, who supported his family as a cab driver in Detroit, often delivered guidance in a way that did not call attention to himself. This was the case when Stan had his coming out party as a star running back in the Detroit Public School League as a sophomore at Kettering in a game versus Chadsey played at the old Hammerberg Field, adjacent to Mackenzie High School. 'I started Kettering in the 10th grade. I was playing on the team with my older brother Steve after winning the starting job at tailback, and in this game I rushed for 110 yards on just a few carries, and I had about 60 or 70 yards by halftime,' recalled Stan Edwards, who as a child witnessed the construction of Kettering High School — opened in 1965 at 6101 Van Dyke — from across the street at his family's home on Townsend Street. 'There were guys coming out of the stands and onto the sidelines to congratulate me even as the game was still going on. And at one point, with all of these people around me, I looked out onto the field and there was my father watching from the other side of the fence — he hadn't even come into the stands. That's how my dad was. He could teach a class to these helicopter parents we have today. He would stay out of the game, and out of my way. But he was always there for his family. 'And he was masterful in his guidance, because when you did well, he always talked about that first. But then he would let you know that there was always another level to go to — another game, another challenge. He always kept a carrot in front of you.' Braylon Edwards also points to how his grandfather motivated his family to 'sustain' excellence in athletics and life. 'I've always been attracted to intelligence and strength, and my granddad had both in spades,' Braylon Edwards explained by phone on the morning of May 14 as he was headed to an impromptu, informal reunion at Schembechler Hall on the University of Michigan campus that would reunite him with some former Michigan football players who played for coach Lloyd Carr. 'My granddad was Old School and he exuded strength and intelligence wherever he went. He was an amazing man and I learned to keep grinding from him. "And he taught you that you have to be more than an athlete, because he was for his community and for his people.' As a professional athlete, Braylon Edwards was a part of an era where many athletes received lucrative shoe deals. But Braylon's father shared a different kind of shoe story about Sam Edwards, where the proud father of seven children — Joanne, Steve, Stan, Sabrina, Saadia, Shakir and Nefertari — revealed his character and determination during the days when he lived in Black Bottom. 'There's a story about my dad playing barefoot in the gym as a young man because his mother couldn't afford to buy him gym shoes and he didn't want to mess up his Sunday church shoes,' Stan Edwards said about his father, whose family came to Detroit from Selma, Alabama. 'So, when I was playing and would think about that story as they were about to hand me the ball in the I-formation, the opposing team was going to have a problem bringing me down. It was the same way when I was running hills during training and started to get tired: I would think about my dad, and then I would straighten up and keep running, bro. 'But the thing is, my father never told me that story. I heard that from other people. My dad didn't talk about himself in that way. He led by example and everything centered around strength, leadership, discipline and accountability.' More stories about Sam Edwards, also known in later years as Ishmael Bey, will be told during services announced by the family. On Friday, May 16, there will be a public visitation from 4-8 p.m. at the Heard Family Funeral Home, 1540 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, 48208. On Saturday, May 17, at 2:30 p.m., a 'going-home service' will be held at Heard Family Funeral Home. 'My dad loved, loved, loved the city of Detroit,' Stan Edwards said about his father, whose life and legacy will be celebrated during the services. 'He was very proud to be a Detroiter.' This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Sam Edwards, who shaped lives of 'Michigan Men,' dies at 87
