Noah Sinclair
Ridges in fingernails are common and can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, injury, or an underlying health condition. While they are usually harmless, it is important to monitor their appearance and seek medical advice if they develop suddenly or are accompanied by other symptoms. In some cases, fingernail ridges may indicate vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, or more serious conditions. Proper nail care and maintenance can help keep nails smooth, strong, and healthy, while techniques like gentle buffing can help reduce the appearance of ridges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Vertical or horizontal ridges, also known as trachyonychia and Beau's lines, respectively |
| Cause | Ageing, injury, skin conditions like eczema, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, thyroid abnormalities, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, anaemia, arthritis, malnutrition, serious nail injuries |
| Treatment | Moisturizers, topical ointments, altering diet or taking supplements, gentle buffing, trimming nails, avoiding manicures, using a glass nail file, regular exercise or hand massages |
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What You'll Learn
Horizontal nail ridges
Beau's lines occur when something interrupts your nail growth. Possible causes include:
- Chemotherapy
- Damage from using artificial or acrylic nails, or getting gel manicures for long periods
- Injury to your nail, like slamming your finger in a door or dropping something on your foot
- Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
- Severe illness with a high fever, such as COVID-19, measles, or pneumonia
- Zinc deficiency, which can also cause white spots on your nails
- Iron deficiency, which can cause vertical nail ridges and koilonychia (spoon nails)
- Mental and emotional stress, such as a divorce, death in the family, or job loss
- Chronic conditions that interfere with blood flow to the nail matrix, such as hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or Raynaud's phenomenon
- Skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis
- Certain infections, such as endocarditis or subungual melanoma, a rare type of melanoma affecting the nails
If you notice horizontal nail ridges, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to rule out any possible health conditions. A thorough diagnosis can help determine the proper treatment plan. Treatment typically involves resolving the underlying condition causing the nail ridges to appear. For example, if you have developed Beau's lines due to diabetes, successfully managing your blood sugar may reduce these horizontal nail ridges. If the cause is a skin condition, a dermatologist can prescribe treatments to reduce symptoms and promote cell healing, helping the ridges to disappear.
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Vertical nail ridges
There are, however, some cases where vertical nail ridges may indicate underlying health issues. For instance, people with hypothyroidism may experience vertical nail ridges along with other symptoms such as thickened, brittle nails that are more prone to breaking, a rounded nail shape, and puffiness of the fingertips. Additionally, certain skin conditions, such as eczema or very dry skin, can also cause vertical nail ridges.
In rare cases, vertical nail ridges can be associated with more serious conditions. For example, Witkop syndrome, a hereditary genetic disease, can lead to vertical nail ridges, along with missing teeth and indented nails known as spoon nails. Other diseases that can affect the nails include systemic amyloidosis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and systemic sclerosis.
If you notice persistent or pronounced vertical nail ridges, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor or dermatologist. They can examine your nails, consider any other symptoms, and advise on appropriate care or treatment if needed.
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Vitamin deficiencies
Fingernail ridges are often harmless and are a typical sign of aging. However, they can also indicate vitamin deficiencies or more serious health issues. Vertical ridges, also known as trachyonychia, are the most common and are not usually a cause for concern. These ridges run from the tip of the finger down to the bottom of the nail.
Horizontal ridges, on the other hand, often point to an underlying condition. Deep horizontal ridges, known as Beau's lines, can be caused by various factors, including malnutrition, serious nail injury, or physiological stress. Beau's lines may also appear in people who have undergone chemotherapy or had mumps or syphilis. If new Beau's lines keep appearing, it could indicate an underlying condition interrupting nail growth.
It is important to note that treating ridges in fingernails is not as simple as filing or buffing them away. While gentle buffing can help reduce their appearance, it does not address the underlying cause. Overall nail maintenance, including avoiding nail damage and picking, can contribute to smoother and healthier nails. Consulting a dermatologist is crucial to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
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Skin conditions
Ridges in the fingernails are often a sign of an underlying skin condition. While they are usually harmless, they can indicate a more serious health problem. Horizontal ridges, also known as Beau's lines, can be a result of physiological stressors or something more systemic, such as diabetes, thyroid abnormalities, or kidney disease. They can also be caused by physical trauma, like hitting your hand against something, or a lack of nutrients due to a gastrointestinal disorder. Vertical ridges, or trachyonychia, can be caused by anemia or arthritis, although there are usually other accompanying signs, such as nail bed discolouration.
If a skin condition is causing ridges in the fingernails, a dermatologist will typically try to reduce the symptoms of the condition. For example, if you have eczema, a dermatologist may prescribe topical treatments to reduce the symptoms of eczema, which can help heal the cells controlling fingernail creation, causing the ridges to disappear. Treatment for skin conditions may include moisturisers for your hands or topical ointments to reduce symptoms.
While it doesn’t treat the underlying problem, gently buffing your nails can help to temporarily camouflage ridges. However, it is important to be cautious when using nail buffers as they can thin the nail plate, making the nails softer and more prone to trauma and breakage. A great way to protect and condition your nails and cuticles is to incorporate hand and nail care into your routine. However, everyday hand washing or sanitising, as well as using pure acetone nail polish remover, can exacerbate ridges and make them more pronounced.
If you are experiencing nail changes, it is important to be evaluated by a doctor. A doctor will examine your nails and ask about any other symptoms you are experiencing. They may order urine and blood tests if they suspect kidney disease, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. If the cause of your fingernail ridges is unclear, a dermatologist may take some fingernail clippings to be analysed in a lab for signs of infection.
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Trauma to the nail
If the trauma injures the nail matrix, the tissue inside the cuticle where new nail growth originates, a ridge or split can develop. This deformity will disappear as the nail regrows if the matrix heals normally. However, if the injury includes the base of the nail, some cosmetic changes may be permanent. It is important to note that nail injuries typically do not require treatment, but if the damage is extensive, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
The treatment for nail trauma depends on the type and severity of the injury. For minor injuries, home care may be sufficient if bleeding can be stopped and the nail remains attached to the nail bed. In more serious cases, such as when there is a large bruise or bone fracture, medical intervention may be necessary. This could involve creating a small hole in the nail to drain blood and relieve pressure or even removing the nail and repairing the nail bed. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent infection.
It is advisable to keep your fingernails trimmed to prevent nail trauma. Additionally, ensuring your shoes are properly sized can help avoid toenail trauma. If you experience a nail injury, check that your tetanus vaccination is up to date. While most fingernail injuries regrow completely in about two months, toenails can take up to a year to fully recover.
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Frequently asked questions
Wrinkled fingernails, or nail ridges, are usually caused by the ageing process. However, they can also indicate an underlying health condition such as vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, thyroid abnormalities, or kidney disease.
If you notice sudden changes to your nails, it is important to consult a doctor or dermatologist, who may recommend urine and blood tests to check for any underlying health issues.
While nail ridges can sometimes be buffed away, this can make the nail softer and more prone to trauma. A doctor or dermatologist will be able to advise on the best course of treatment.
