Sophia Delgado
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless, but they can sometimes be a sign of a more serious 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. If you notice dark brown, black, or red colour changes under your nails and haven't experienced nail trauma, it may be a symptom of a more serious condition, like endocarditis or melanoma.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ridges | Vertical or horizontal |
| Colour changes | Dark brown, black or red |
| Causes | Ageing, malnutrition, nail trauma, vitamin deficiencies, iron deficiency, zinc deficiency, vitamin A deficiency, vitamin C deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, biotin deficiency, lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis vulgaris, endocarditis, melanoma, severe infections, diabetes |
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What You'll Learn
Striated nails can be a sign of ageing
If you notice dark brown, black, or red colour changes under your nails and haven't experienced nail trauma, it may be a symptom of a more serious condition, like endocarditis or melanoma. A doctor should examine changes in your nails.
The term for the condition of rough accentuated linear ridges (longitudinal striations) on the nails of the fingers and toes is trachyonychia. When the condition occurs on all the twenty nails of the fingers and toes, it is known as twenty-nail dystrophy, most evident in childhood, favouring males. Trachyonychia causes the nails to become opalescent, thin, dull, fragile, and finely longitudinally ridged, and, as a result, distally notched. It can be a manifestation of lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis vulgaris. "The longitudinal striations can occur as a normal part of the ageing process", and not until the nails start to thin and get a sandpaper look is the condition called trachyonychia.
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They can also be caused by malnutrition
Striated nails are characterised by rough, accentuated linear ridges (longitudinal striations) on the nails of the fingers and toes. While vertical striations are usually harmless and a sign of ageing, horizontal striations can be indicative of 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.
Malnutrition can cause striated nails due to certain nutritional deficiencies. For example, an 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. According to 2018 research, biotin is also highly recommended to aid in nail health, but more research is needed to understand the full extent of its benefits.
If you notice striated nails, it is important to consider whether you have experienced any nail trauma or nutritional deficiencies that could be causing this. If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is recommended that you consult a doctor, as nail changes can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious condition.
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Striated nails can be a sign of a serious nail injury
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can sometimes be a sign of a serious nail injury. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, Beau's lines, severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies.
Striated nails can also be 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. 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.
Striated nails can also be a symptom of trachyonychia, a condition characterised by rough accentuated linear ridges (longitudinal striations) on the nails of the fingers and toes. When the condition occurs on all twenty nails, it is known as twenty-nail dystrophy, most evident in childhood and favouring males. Trachyonychia causes the nails to become opalescent, thin, dull, fragile, and finely longitudinally ridged, and, as a result, distally notched. It can be a manifestation of lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis vulgaris.
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They can be caused by vitamin deficiencies
Striated nails are characterised by rough, linear ridges on the nails of the fingers and toes. The condition is known as trachyonychia and can be a manifestation of lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis vulgaris.
While striated nails are usually harmless, they can sometimes indicate vitamin deficiencies. 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. According to research, biotin is also highly recommended to aid in nail health, but more research is needed to understand the full extent of its benefits.
Horizontal ridges, known as Beau's lines, are often linked to more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. If you notice colour changes under your nails, such as dark brown, black, or red, it may be a symptom of a serious condition like endocarditis or melanoma, and you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
While nail ridges are usually due to aging, they can also be caused by improper nail care, nail trauma, or a more pressing medical condition. If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is best to consult a doctor, who can evaluate your nails and recommend any necessary treatments or lifestyle changes.
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Striated nails can be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as endocarditis or melanoma
Striated nails, or ridges in nails, are usually harmless and are often a sign of ageing. However, they can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as endocarditis or melanoma. If you notice dark brown, black, or red colour changes under your nails and haven't experienced nail trauma, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
While vertical ridges are more likely to be caused by ageing, horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, Beau's lines, severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. Beau's lines are often linked to more serious health issues and are usually deeper than vertical ridges.
In addition, striated nails can be a manifestation of lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis vulgaris. Certain nutritional deficiencies, such as iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and D deficiencies, can also affect nail health.
If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is always best to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
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Frequently asked questions
Striated nails are nails with rough, linear ridges running from the cuticle to the tip of the nail.
Striated nails are usually harmless and are often a sign of aging. However, they can sometimes be a sign of malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, or nail trauma.
Striated nails can cause the nails to become thin, dull, fragile, and finely ridged. They may also appear opalescent and have a sandpaper-like texture.
If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is best to consult a doctor. They will be able to evaluate your nails and determine if any underlying conditions are causing the striations.
Treatment for striated nails depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications or supplements to address any nutritional deficiencies or medical conditions contributing to the condition.
