Isla Bennett
Dry, brittle, ridged nails can be a sign of ageing, but they can also indicate other health problems. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Conditions that can cause onychorrhexis include hypothyroidism, liver disease and chronic kidney disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Ageing, skin conditions, thyroid disease, vitamin deficiencies, diabetes, malnutrition, nail trauma, improper nail care, or a more pressing medical condition |
| Type of ridge | Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines |
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What You'll Learn
Ageing
As we age, our nails can naturally become ridged, dry, brittle or thick. This is due to the slowing of nail growth, which can cause vertical ridges. These lines are harmless and are not dangerous. However, horizontal ridges or dents in the nails can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as Beau's lines, which can be caused by chemotherapy or malnutrition.
If you have hypothyroidism, you may also experience thick, brittle nails with vertical ridges. Your nails may crumble or break easily and your fingertip may be puffy. This is due to the disease slowing down your metabolism.
Other conditions that can cause nail changes include skin conditions such as eczema or very dry skin, and rheumatology diseases that affect the joints and cause deformities.
If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is best to consult a dermatologist for advice on treatment.
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Skin conditions
Dry, brittle, ridged nails can be caused by a number of skin conditions. For example, if you have very dry skin or eczema, you may have vertical lines on your nails. Thyroid disease can also cause thick, brittle nails with vertical ridges. If you have hypothyroidism, your nails may also crumble or break easily. They may look more rounded and your fingertip may be puffy.
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can mean different things. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. According to 2022 research, ridges are usually due to ageing, but they can also be a sign of improper nail care, nail trauma, vitamin deficiencies, or even a more pressing medical condition.
Nail syndromes such as Witkop syndrome, a hereditary genetic disease, can also lead to vertical ridging in fingernails.
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Thyroid disease
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can sometimes be a sign of a health problem. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. According to 2022 research, ridges are usually due to ageing. But they can also be a sign of improper nail care, nail trauma, vitamin deficiencies, or even a more pressing medical condition.
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Vitamin deficiencies
Dry, brittle, ridged nails can be a sign of vitamin deficiencies. While vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Hypothyroidism can also cause thick, brittle nails with vertical ridges. Nails may also crumble or break easily.
Nail growth problems can be caused by a diet that is not well-balanced or by malnutrition from bulimia or other eating disorders. If your diet doesn't include enough iron, protein, or folic acid, you may experience nail growth problems.
If you are concerned about the health of your nails, you should ask a dermatologist for advice on treating them.
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Nail trauma
Dry, brittle, and ridged nails can be caused by nail trauma. Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can mean different things. Vertical ridges are often a sign of aging, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau’s lines. Beau's lines can be caused by chemotherapy or another interruption in nail growth. Ridges can also be a sign of improper nail care, vitamin deficiencies, or a more pressing medical condition.
If you have nail trauma, it's important to take care of your nails and avoid further damage. This includes avoiding harsh nail polishes and removers, using a gentle nail file to smooth any rough edges, and moisturising your nails and cuticles regularly. You may also want to consider taking a break from nail polish to give your nails a chance to recover.
If your nail trauma is severe or causing you concern, it's best to consult a dermatologist or doctor for advice. They can help determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment options. In some cases, nail trauma may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, so it's important to get it checked out if you're worried.
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Frequently asked questions
Dry, brittle, ridged nails can be a sign of ageing, or hypothyroidism. They can also be caused by skin conditions like eczema, or vitamin deficiencies.
Horizontal ridges are called Beau's lines. They can be caused by a serious nail injury, malnutrition, or a more pressing medical condition.
Vertical ridges are usually a sign of ageing, but they can also be caused by skin conditions like eczema, or hypothyroidism.
If you're concerned about the appearance of your nails, you should ask a dermatologist for advice on treating them.
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