Ava Monroe
Ridges in your fingernails can indicate a variety of health conditions, nutrient deficiencies, or simply be a sign of ageing. Vertical ridges are typically harmless and are usually caused by the natural thinning and brittling of nails as we age. However, horizontal ridges, also known as Beau's lines, can point to more serious underlying conditions, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, or acute kidney disease. Beau's lines are often the result of an interruption to nail growth, which can be caused by injury, illness, or nutrient deficiencies. While nail ridges are usually harmless, it is important to pay attention to their presence and consult a healthcare professional if you are concerned.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vertical lines | Ageing, vitamin or mineral deficiency, thyroid disease, dry skin, eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, dehydration, injury, chemotherapy |
| Horizontal lines (Beau's lines) | Malnutrition, injury, infection, diabetes, thyroid disease, acute kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, previous illness, zinc deficiency |
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Ageing
Ridges in fingernails are usually harmless and are a typical sign of ageing. Vertical ridges are common in older adults and are thought to be caused by a slowing of cell turnover. This is when new skin cells produced below the skin's surface rise up to replace dead skin cells being discarded from the surface.
However, fingernail ridges can sometimes be a sign of other health problems. Horizontal ridges, known as Beau's lines, can indicate that an illness, injury, or skin condition interrupted your nail growth. Beau's lines can be caused by various factors, including physical trauma, exposure to extreme cold, manicures or artificial nails, chronic conditions that interfere with blood flow to the nail matrix, nutritional deficiencies, and severe emotional stress. They may also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as acute kidney disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease, or Raynaud's phenomenon.
If you notice Beau's lines and are unsure of the cause, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider to rule out any possible health conditions. Treating the underlying cause of Beau's lines will allow new, smooth nails to grow again. While there is no specific treatment for Beau's lines, managing any underlying conditions and maintaining proper nutrition can help prevent their recurrence.
While vertical ridges are primarily associated with ageing, they can also indicate vitamin deficiencies or other health issues in some cases. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to any changes in your fingernails and consult a dermatologist or healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
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Health conditions
Fingernail lines can indicate various health conditions and should not be ignored. Vertical lines are often a sign of aging, while horizontal lines, also known as Beau's lines, can indicate more serious issues. Beau's lines are grooves or dents that run across the nails horizontally and can affect all or just a few nails. While they are not harmful themselves, they can indicate underlying health issues such as:
- Malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of iron, zinc, protein, or vitamins A, C, and D, can contribute to the development of ridges in the fingernails.
- Chronic conditions: Conditions that interfere with blood flow to the nail matrix, such as peripheral artery disease (PAD), hypothyroidism, or Raynaud's phenomenon, can cause Beau's lines.
- Serious nail injury or trauma: Physical trauma to the nails, such as slamming a finger in a door, can result in Beau's lines.
- Severe stress or emotional distress: Mental and emotional stress, including severe anxiety, divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one, can impact nail health and contribute to the formation of Beau's lines.
- Diabetes: Beau's lines can be associated with diabetes, and managing blood sugar levels can help reduce these nail ridges.
- Skin conditions: Severe skin conditions that damage the nail matrix can lead to the development of Beau's lines.
- Previous severe illness: Beau's lines can indicate a previous severe illness or trauma, especially in patients with Raynaud's disease.
Additionally, other nail abnormalities can also provide clues about underlying health conditions:
- White nails with darker rims: This can be an indication of liver problems, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.
- Yellow nails: While often caused by a fungal infection, yellow nails can, in rare cases, indicate severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes, or psoriasis.
- Bluish nails: Nails with a bluish tint can suggest that the body is not getting enough oxygen and may indicate lung problems, such as emphysema, or certain heart problems.
- Rippled or pitted nail surface: This may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis.
- Clubbed nails: Thickening of the soft tissue beneath the nails, known as clubbing, is associated with pulmonary disease or inflammatory bowel disease.
- Spoon-shaped nails: This shape, known as koilonychia, may indicate hemochromatosis or anemia.
- Mees' lines: Transverse white bands on the nails can be associated with arsenic poisoning or other underlying conditions.
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Nutrient deficiencies
Horizontal lines, or Beau's lines, on your fingernails can indicate a number of nutrient deficiencies. These lines are grooves or dents that run across your nails and can affect just one nail or several. While they are not harmful in themselves, they can indicate an underlying issue.
One such issue is a zinc deficiency, which can cause Beau's lines. Ensuring proper nutrition will help your nail growth return to normal. Iron deficiency is another possible cause of Beau's lines, especially if your toenails are also peeling. You can try to address this by adding iron-rich foods to your diet.
Vitamin deficiencies can also cause ridges in your nails. For example, a lack of vitamin A, C, or D can contribute to nail health issues. Biotin is also recommended for aiding nail health, although more research is needed to confirm its benefits.
If you notice Beau's lines and are unsure of the cause, it is important to see a healthcare provider to rule out any potential health conditions. Treating the underlying cause is the best way to address these lines, and your nail health can be an important indicator of your overall health.
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Skin conditions
Beau lines (also called Beau's lines) are horizontal ridges or depressions that run across one or more fingernails or toenails. They indicate that an illness, injury, or skin condition interrupted your nail growth. Skin conditions that can cause Beau's lines include eczema and exposure to extreme cold. Vitamin or zinc deficiencies can also cause Beau's lines.
In addition to skin conditions, Beau's lines can be caused by severe illness or surgery, malnutrition, chronic conditions that interfere with blood flow to the nail matrix (such as hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease, or Raynaud's phenomenon), and physical trauma to the nail matrix, such as dropping something heavy on your finger or toe.
Other nail abnormalities that can be caused by skin conditions include leukonychia (white streaks or spots on the nails), koilonychia (an abnormal shape of the fingernail, with raised ridges, thinness, and a curved inward shape, associated with iron deficiency anemia), and paronychia (an infection and inflammation around the nail caused by irritants, allergens, or the fungus Candida albicans).
If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is recommended that you see a doctor or dermatologist.
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Nail trauma
Nail biting is a common cause of nail trauma and can lead to acute paronychia, a type of bacterial infection. It can also cause dystrophy, where the nail unit becomes inflamed, leading to horizontal ridging, depressions and raised areas. Additionally, the cuticles are often damaged, disrupting the nail's waterproof seal, causing thinning and peeling, and increasing the risk of infection.
To treat a subungual haematoma, the accumulated blood must be drained to relieve pain and pressure. This can be done by creating a small hole in the nail with a cautery device, a needle, or a red-hot paper clip. However, this must be done within 24 hours, as after that, the blood will coagulate, and the procedure will offer no benefit.
If you experience a nail injury, it is important to ensure your tetanus vaccination is up to date. Additionally, if the injury involves the nail matrix, a ridge or split can develop, and if the matrix does not heal normally, a deformity may remain until the nail regrows. In some cases, the injury may be severe enough to warrant a trip to the urgent care centre or emergency room, especially if there is a large amount of bleeding or a potential bone fracture.
Nail injuries typically take a while to heal, with fingernails taking about two months to regrow completely and toenails taking about four months. During this time, it is important to keep your nails trimmed and avoid biting them or the surrounding cuticles.
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Frequently asked questions
Vertical lines in fingernails are usually harmless and are often a sign of aging. However, they can sometimes indicate an underlying medical issue, such as thyroid disease or a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Horizontal lines, also known as Beau's lines, often indicate an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, thyroid disease, psoriasis, or acute kidney disease. They can also be caused by injuries or previous illnesses.
Treating the underlying medical condition or nutrient deficiency usually allows smoother and healthier nails to grow in. Moisturizers and topical treatments can help with skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Maintaining good nail hygiene and a healthy diet can also improve nail health.
Applying moisturizer to the nails and cuticles daily can help relieve dry skin and improve the appearance of nails. Using a nail buffer can also help smooth ridges, but it should not be done too frequently as it can weaken the nails.
If you notice persistent, worsening, or sudden changes in your nails, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider or dermatologist. Changes in colour, shape, or texture can indicate an underlying disease and should be evaluated by a doctor.
