Noah Sinclair
Ridges in your nails may indicate an underlying health condition or nutrient deficiency. Vertical ridges are usually harmless and are often a natural part of aging, but they can sometimes be a sign of vitamin deficiencies or diabetes. Horizontal ridges, also known as Beau's lines, can indicate more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. To improve the appearance of your nails, you can apply moisturizer to your nails and cuticles daily, use a nail buffer to smooth out ridges, and incorporate nail strengthening products into your routine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Ageing, dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, zinc deficiency, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, Raynaud's disease, inflammatory skin conditions, nail trauma, chemotherapy, injury, skin conditions, infections, autoimmune diseases, kidney disease, liver disease, chronic kidney disease, joint diseases, systemic amyloidosis |
| Treatment | Moisturiser, cuticle oil, rich hand cream, skin cream, cotton gloves, iron supplements, zinc supplements, ridge filling base coat, nail buffer, nail strengthening products, Barielle Hydrating Ridge Filler, gel polish, vitamin E oil, collagen vitamins |
| Prevention | A nail-friendly diet with a good balance of proteins, calcium, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin E |
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What You'll Learn
Vertical nail ridges may indicate an underlying health issue
Vertical nail ridges are usually harmless and are often a natural part of aging. They can, however, indicate an underlying health issue or nutrient deficiency.
Health conditions that can cause vertical nail ridges include hypothyroidism, which can result in thick, brittle nails with ridges. Additionally, liver disease and chronic kidney disease can cause onychorrhexis, a condition characterised by vertical nail ridges. Witkop syndrome, a hereditary genetic disease, can also lead to vertical nail ridges.
Inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, lichen planus, and other autoimmune diseases can contribute to vertical nail ridges. Repeated nail trauma during manicures or pedicures, and exposure to chemicals found in nail polish removers and cuticle softeners can also worsen vertical nail ridges.
Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of essential vitamins and minerals like biotin, iron, and zinc, can also contribute to vertical nail ridges. Ensuring a well-balanced diet with adequate protein, calcium, zinc, and vitamin A can help prevent and reduce the appearance of vertical nail ridges.
If you are concerned about the appearance of vertical nail ridges or suspect an underlying health condition, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for evaluation and appropriate treatment.
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Horizontal nail ridges, or Beau's lines, may indicate a serious health condition
Horizontal nail ridges, or Beau's lines, are deep-grooved lines that run from side to side on the fingernail or toenail. They are usually a sign that something interrupted your nail growth. Beau's lines are distinct from vertical nail ridges, which are often a natural part of aging and can be worsened by dehydration or nutritional deficiencies.
There are several possible causes of Beau's lines, including:
- Trauma or injury to the nail, such as slamming your finger in a door or dropping something heavy on your finger.
- Chronic conditions that interfere with blood flow to the nail matrix, such as peripheral artery disease (PAD) or Raynaud's phenomenon.
- Skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis.
- Severe zinc deficiency or a lack of protein in the diet.
- Severe emotional stress, such as a divorce, death in the family, or job loss.
- Malnutrition or certain medications, such as drugs used in chemotherapy.
- Severe illness with a high fever, such as COVID-19, measles, or pneumonia.
If you notice Beau's lines on your nails, it is important to see a healthcare provider to rule out any possible health conditions. Treating the underlying cause will allow new, smooth nails to grow again. While there is no specific treatment for Beau's lines, the ridges should gradually grow out as your nail grows. This process can take about six months. In the meantime, you can temporarily hide the ridges by applying a nail ridge filler and nail polish, but use nail products with caution as some can weaken or damage nails. Keeping your nails and cuticles well-hydrated with cuticle oil or hand cream can also help to prevent and reduce ridges.
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Nutritional deficiencies can cause nail ridges
Zinc deficiency, for example, can cause Beau's lines (horizontal ridges) and white spots on your nails. Iron deficiency, on the other hand, can result in vertical nail ridges and koilonychia, or spoon nails, which are characterized by a depression in the middle that can hold a drop of water.
To address these nutritional deficiencies, it is important to ensure your diet includes a good balance of proteins, calcium, zinc, and vitamin A. Additionally, you can consider taking supplements, such as iron or zinc, under the guidance of a healthcare provider. However, it is important to note that it takes several months for nails to grow out, so it will take time to see improvements in the appearance of your nails.
While treating the underlying nutritional deficiency is key, there are also home care treatments that can help improve the appearance of your nails. These include applying moisturizer to your nails and cuticles daily to relieve dry skin or eczema, and using a nourishing cuticle oil or rich hand cream with ingredients like vitamin E, jojoba oil, or shea butter to maintain moisture.
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Treat the underlying cause to improve nail health
Vertical nail ridges can be a natural part of the ageing process, caused by a slowing of cell turnover, and worsened by dehydration and nutritional deficiencies. Horizontal nail ridges, or Beau's lines, are often indicative of underlying health issues, such as nutritional deficiencies, severe infections, diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease.
If you have vertical nail ridges, it is important to determine if there is an underlying medical cause that requires treatment. See your healthcare provider, who can work with you to treat the underlying cause. They may refer you to a dermatologist, who can examine your nails and ask about any other symptoms you are experiencing. Blood and urine tests may be ordered if they suspect kidney disease, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. If the cause of your nail ridges is unclear, a dermatologist may take nail clippings to be analysed in a lab for signs of infection.
Treating the underlying cause can help you grow smoother nails. For instance, medication for thyroid disease often improves or resolves related nail problems. Taking iron or zinc supplements, with your provider's guidance, may help if you have a deficiency. However, it takes several months for your nails to grow out, so it will take time to see a change. If you have Beau's lines from a previous illness, the lines should gradually grow out. But if new Beau's lines keep appearing, this could be a sign of a condition that keeps interrupting your nail growth.
If no underlying health condition is identified, you can treat nail ridges with home care. Applying a nourishing cuticle oil or rich hand cream every day can help maintain moisture and prevent and reduce ridges. Ingredients like vitamin E, jojoba oil, and shea butter are especially effective.
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Nail maintenance tips to reduce the appearance of ridges
While vertical nail ridges are usually harmless, they can affect the appearance of your nails. Here are some nail maintenance tips to reduce the appearance of ridges:
Keep nails and cuticles well-hydrated
Low moisture levels in the nails can cause them to become brittle and prone to ridges. Applying a nourishing cuticle oil or rich hand cream daily can help maintain moisture and prevent ridges. Look for ingredients like vitamin E, jojoba oil, and shea butter, which are especially effective in hydrating the nails.
Consume a balanced diet
Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamins and minerals, can contribute to the formation of nail ridges. Ensure your diet includes a good balance of proteins, calcium, zinc, and vitamin A. Spinach and eggs are also great for nail health.
Use ridge-filling base coats
Buffing the nails can weaken them, so instead, opt for a ridge-filling base coat to create a smooth surface for your nail polish. You can lightly buff the sharp edges of the ridges and apply multiple layers of base coats, lightly buffing between coats.
Treat underlying health conditions
In some cases, vertical nail ridges may be a sign of underlying health conditions such as hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, or vitamin deficiencies. If you suspect any health issues, consult a healthcare professional. Treating the underlying cause can help promote smoother nail growth.
Keep nails protected
Repeated trauma to the nails during manicures or pedicures can make vertical nail ridges more visible. Be gentle when performing nail care routines, and avoid strong chemicals found in nail polish removers and cuticle softeners, as these can damage the nail matrix and affect nail growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Vertical nail ridges are often a natural part of aging, but they can also be caused or worsened by dehydration, nutritional deficiencies, hypothyroidism, or other health conditions.
There is no guaranteed way to prevent or completely remove nail ridges. However, you can improve the appearance of your nails by treating the underlying cause and following proper nail care routines.
To reduce the appearance of vertical nail ridges, it is important to keep your nails and cuticles well-hydrated. Apply nourishing cuticle oils or rich hand creams daily to maintain moisture. You can also lightly buff out the ridges with a nail buffer, but be careful not to overdo it as it can weaken your nails.
Yes, in addition to moisturizers and cuticle oils, you can use nail-strengthening products and ridge-filling base coats to improve the appearance of your nails and reduce the visibility of ridges.
While vertical nail ridges are usually harmless, if you notice any other symptoms or major changes, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any potential underlying health issues.
