Noah Sinclair
Ridges in your fingernails can be harmless, but they can also be a sign of an underlying health condition. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vertical ridges | Often a sign of aging |
| Horizontal ridges | Can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau’s lines |
| Horizontal ridges | Can be caused by diabetes |
| Horizontal ridges | Can be caused by low levels of minerals or vitamins |
| Vertical ridges | Can be caused by decreased circulation to fingertips |
| Vertical ridges | Can be caused by stripping nails with solvents during manicures |
| Vertical ridges | Can be caused by tumours |
| Vertical ridges | Can be caused by certain dermatological conditions |
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What You'll Learn
Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing
Vertical ridges on the fingernails are usually harmless and are often a sign of ageing. This is known as onychorrhexis, and it can happen as you get older, causing your nails to become ridged, dry, brittle or thick. This is a normal part of the ageing process and is one of the most common causes of onychorrhexis.
Vertical ridges are sometimes called longitudinal striations or bands. They are furrows that run from the tip of your fingernail down to the cuticle. Research from 2015 suggests that slight vertical ridges in fingernails often develop in older adults, possibly due to a slowing of cell turnover. This is when new skin cells produced below the surface of your skin rise up to take the place of dead cells on the surface.
While vertical ridges are usually nothing to worry about, they can also be a sign of another health problem. Conditions that can cause onychorrhexis include heart and circulatory diseases. Decreased circulation to the fingertips can also cause vertical ridges in nails.
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Horizontal ridges can be caused by malnutrition
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.
Horizontal ridges can also be caused by a serious nail injury. Beau's lines are horizontal ridges that can develop because of diabetes. Successfully managing your blood sugar may reduce these horizontal fingernail ridges.
Vertical ridges on your fingernails are called onychorrhexis. This is a normal part of the ageing process and one of the most common causes of onychorrhexis. However, decreased circulation to fingertips, stripping nails with solvents during manicures, tumours and certain dermatological conditions can also cause vertical ridges in nails.
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Horizontal ridges can be caused by a serious nail injury
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can sometimes indicate other health problems. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can be caused by a serious nail injury, malnutrition, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are horizontal ridges that can appear if you have diabetes. If you have developed these lines, successfully managing your blood sugar may reduce them.
Horizontal ridges can also be caused by a serious nail injury. If you have injured your nail, it may take up to six months for it to grow out and for the horizontal ridges to disappear. In the meantime, you can try to prevent further damage by moisturising your hands or using topical ointments. If you are concerned about the appearance of horizontal ridges on your nails, it is best to consult a dermatologist for advice on treatment.
There are other potential causes of horizontal ridges in your nails. These include decreased circulation to your fingertips, stripping your nails with solvents during manicures, tumours, and certain dermatological conditions. If you are experiencing other symptoms such as texture changes in your nails, it is important to seek medical advice to determine the underlying cause.
While vertical ridges are usually nothing to worry about, they can sometimes be a sign of a health condition. Conditions that can cause vertical ridges include heart and circulatory diseases. If you are experiencing vertical ridges and are concerned, it is best to consult a medical professional for advice.
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Horizontal ridges can be caused by Beau's lines
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.
Horizontal ridges can also be caused by a serious nail injury. If you have recently injured your nail, this could be the cause of the horizontal ridges.
If you are concerned about the appearance of horizontal ridges on your nails, it is best to consult a dermatologist for advice on treating your nails.
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Vertical ridges can be caused by decreased circulation to fingertips
Vertical ridges in fingernails are usually harmless and are often a sign of ageing. However, they can also be caused by decreased circulation to the fingertips. This can be a symptom of heart and circulatory diseases. Your blood delivers nutrients and oxygen to tissues and cells, so if you are experiencing poor circulation, this process may be impaired.
If you are experiencing other symptoms, such as texture changes in your nails, it may be caused by a medical condition. If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, you should consult a doctor or dermatologist. They will be able to advise you on any treatment or lifestyle changes that may be necessary.
There are also some steps you can take to improve the appearance of your nails. For example, you could try moisturising your hands or using topical ointments to reduce any symptoms of skin conditions like eczema. You could also consider taking supplements to boost your levels of vitamins and minerals, but you should consult a medical professional before doing so.
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Frequently asked questions
Vertical ridges are often a sign of aging, but they can also be caused by decreased circulation to fingertips, stripping nails with solvents during manicures, tumours and certain dermatological conditions.
Horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury or Beau's lines, which can be caused by diabetes.
Yes, treatments for ridges in fingernails focus on the underlying cause. For example, if you have Beau's lines caused by diabetes, successfully managing your blood sugar may reduce these horizontal ridges.
No, ridges in your nails are usually harmless. Vertical ridges are usually nothing to worry about.
