Sophia Delgado
Ridges in your nails can be a sign of a current or past illness, a nutrient deficiency, or a previous injury to your nail. They can also be harmless, and are often a sign of aging. Vertical ridges are more common in older adults, possibly due to a slowing of cell turnover. Horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or a condition called Beau's lines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Direction | Vertical or horizontal |
| Cause | Ageing, malnutrition, nail injury, vitamin deficiencies, mineral deficiencies, nail trauma, or a more pressing medical condition |
| Type | Beau's lines (horizontal ridges) or onychorrhexis (vertical ridges) |
| Treatment | Iron supplements, medication adjustments, or treatment of the underlying condition |
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What You'll Learn
Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing
Vertical ridges in your nails are usually harmless and are often a sign of ageing. 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. For example, iron deficiency may cause vertical ridges in your nails. Other vitamins that can contribute to the health of your nails include zinc and vitamins A, C, and D.
Horizontal ridges, on the other hand, can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are often linked to more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. Horizontal ridges are deeper than vertical ridges and are a sign that some form of interruption or change has happened in the growth of the fingernail.
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Horizontal ridges can point to malnutrition
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can sometimes indicate underlying health issues. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are a separate condition from onychorrhexis, which is mainly a cosmetic condition caused by ageing. Beau's lines, on the other hand, are often linked to more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies.
Horizontal ridges are a sign that some form of interruption or change has happened in the growth of the fingernail. According to Dr Dhruvkumar Laheru, a consultant dermatologist and the nails lead for the British Hair and Nail Society, "ridges are a bit like rings in a tree, they're a marker of things that happened a while ago, a bit like a glacier – it flows forward like a river, but is incredibly slow". While horizontal ridges can indicate past events or changes, they may also be a sign of current issues such as malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies.
Certain nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, can affect the health of your nails and contribute to the formation of horizontal ridges. Other vitamins and minerals that are important for nail health include zinc, vitamins A, C, and D, and biotin. While vitamin deficiencies causing nail ridges are considered rare in countries like the UK, it is still important to maintain a balanced diet to support overall health and nail health.
If you notice persistent or repeated horizontal ridges, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. They can help determine if the ridges are a result of malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, or other underlying health conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment can help address any nutritional imbalances and improve nail health.
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Horizontal ridges can be caused by a serious nail injury
Horizontal ridges in your nails can be caused by a serious nail injury. They can also be caused by malnutrition or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are often linked to more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies.
Horizontal ridges are a sign that some form of interruption or change has happened in the growth of the fingernail. Dr Dhruvkumar Laheru, a consultant dermatologist and the nails lead for the British Hair and Nail Society, explains that ridges are a bit like rings in a tree, marking something that happened in the past. He adds that this is not necessarily a diagnostic tool for an existing condition, as it is usually something that has happened in the past.
If you have repeated Beau's lines, it could be a sign that you have a condition that keeps interrupting the growth of your nails and you should ask your doctor. However, Dr Laheru notes that although it is widely reported that ridges can be a symptom of a mineral or vitamin deficiency, this is extremely rare in a country like the UK – in fact, he has never encountered it.
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Beau's lines are horizontal ridges that are often deep and can be a sign of a serious health issue
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. Beau's lines are horizontal ridges that are often deeper than vertical ridges and can be a sign of a serious health issue.
According to Dr Dhruvkumar Laheru, a consultant dermatologist and the nails lead for the British Hair and Nail Society, horizontal ridges are usually a sign that some form of interruption or change has happened in the growth of the fingernail. However, he adds that this is not necessarily a diagnostic tool for an existing condition, as it is usually something that has happened in the past.
Beau's lines are often linked to more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. If you have repeated Beau's lines, it could be a sign that you have a condition that keeps interrupting the growth of your nails, and you should consult your doctor. While it is widely reported that ridges can be a symptom of a mineral or vitamin deficiency, Dr Laheru says that this is extremely rare in a country like the UK, and he has never encountered it.
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Ridges can be a sign of improper nail care
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless, but they can sometimes be a sign of improper nail care. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are a separate condition from onychorrhexis, and are often linked to more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies.
According to 2022 research, ridges are usually due to ageing, but they can also be a sign of nail trauma, vitamin deficiencies, or even a more pressing medical condition. Certain nutritional deficiencies can affect your nails. For example, iron deficiency may cause vertical ridges in your nails. Other vitamins that can contribute to nail health include zinc and vitamins A, C, and D.
Dr Dhruvkumar Laheru, a consultant dermatologist and the nails lead for the British Hair and Nail Society, explains that horizontal ridges are a sign that some form of interruption or change has happened in the growth of the fingernail. However, he adds that this is not necessarily a diagnostic tool for an existing condition, as it is usually something that has happened in the past.
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Frequently asked questions
Ridges in your nails can be a sign of a current or past illness or injury. They can also be caused by a nutrient deficiency.
Ridges can be vertical (up and down) or horizontal (across) the nail. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can be caused by malnutrition, serious nail injury, or a condition called Beau's lines.
Horizontal nail ridges can be a sign of malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are deep horizontal ridges that can be a symptom of serious conditions and may stop nail growth until the underlying condition is treated.
Vertical nail ridges are often a sign of ageing and can be caused by a slowing of cell turnover. They can also be caused by skin conditions such as dry skin or eczema, or by thyroid disease.
