Routine:
I wash my hands regularly, but not excessively. I walk dogs for a living, and apply good hand lotion a dozen or more times throughout the day. Also cuticle oil 1-2x/day, primarily at night before bed.
I do not bite my nails, although I do trim the callus along my thumbs back when it develops a thick or fraying edge. This is out of necessity so it doesn't snag. They are painful. To press on/touch. God forbid I tap the thickened area on a ledge, it nearly brings me to tears it hurts so bad. I have also developed a habit of "pressing" on the thickened areas as a fidgeting behavior. The slight pain is soothing. I am working on this. Its hard not to fidget with the lifted edges, they are so distracting at times.
My pinky and ring finger are weird! The cuticle is way overgrown and has these specks of what look like blood vessels. My nail beds are painful. No memorable injuries to them.
Is this a result of my hands-on job outdoors, neglected self care (no manicures. Just trimming at home and occasional scrubbing with nail brush and soap. The thought of trimming my cuticles gives me the chills, but I will if I should. Never thought this was a requirement)
Most important of all: I recently tested positive for early Sjogren's and wondering if this might be related to that. I also have thickened, rough areas on the bottoms of my feet. The ball of sole near pinky, my big toes, and heels have thickened skin that will catch on clothing if not maintained with urea lotion and pumice.
My nails also seem to split. I'll go to clean junk out from under them, and notice that its taking off a weird soft layer of my nail as well. Almost as if there's the hard nail on top, and a softer, weak layer below. Those can be painful too.
Thanks for your help. My nail beds are becoming a weird source of chronic pain, and I feel like I can never apply enough lotion or oil to remedy them. Its warming up and getting humid here in Michigan's lower peninsula, but my skin doesn't seem to be bouncing back like it normally does when winter ends.