Isla Bennett
Ridges in your toenails can be a sign of a health condition or nutrient deficiency. Horizontal ridges are called Beau's lines and are usually deeper than vertical ridges. They can be caused by severe infections, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, chemotherapy, or stress. Vertical ridges, on the other hand, are more likely to be caused by age and are mainly a cosmetic condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Health condition or nutrient deficiency |
| Treatment | Treating the cause can help you grow smoother nails |
| Type | Horizontal or vertical |
| Horizontal ridges | Called Beau's lines; usually deeper than vertical ridges |
| Beau's lines | Often linked to more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies |
| Onychorrhexis | Caused by age and is mainly a cosmetic condition |
| Treatment for onychorrhexis | Depends on the cause; doctor may prescribe medications to treat the underlying condition, such as iron supplements, or adjust your current medications |
| Nail polishes with formaldehyde | Can dry out your nails and cause more problems |
| Gel manicures, artificial nails, or acrylics | Can weaken your nails or dry them out |
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What You'll Learn
- Horizontal ridges are called Beau's lines and can be caused by severe infections, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or chemotherapy
- Vertical ridges are usually caused by age and are mainly a cosmetic condition
- Ridges in your nails may be a sign of a nutrient deficiency
- Ridges can be caused by continually biting your nails, cutting your cuticles, or getting gel manicures
- Multiple Beau's lines on each nail may mean an illness or trauma happened more than once
Horizontal ridges are called Beau's lines and can be caused by severe infections, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or chemotherapy
Horizontal ridges in your nails are called Beau's lines. These are usually deeper than vertical ridges and are often linked to more serious health issues. Beau's lines can be caused by severe infections, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or chemotherapy. A single Beau's line on one nail may indicate an injury that affected only one finger or toe. Beau's lines on all of your nails can mean that an illness or stress caused them. Multiple Beau's lines on each nail may mean that an illness or trauma happened more than once.
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Vertical ridges are usually caused by age and are mainly a cosmetic condition
Ridges in your nails may be a sign of a health condition or nutrient deficiency. Vertical ridges are usually caused by age and are mainly a cosmetic condition. This condition is called onychorrhexis.
Horizontal ridges, called Beau's lines, are often linked to more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. Beau's lines can also be caused by an injury that affected only one finger or toe, or by an illness or stress. Multiple Beau's lines on each nail may mean that an illness or trauma happened more than once.
If you have ridges in your nails, it's important to work with your healthcare provider to find out the underlying cause so you can address any possible health problems. Treatment for onychorrhexis depends on the cause, and your doctor might prescribe medications or supplements to treat the underlying condition.
To help prevent ridges in your nails, avoid biting your fingernails or cutting your cuticles. Take breaks from getting gel manicures or using artificial nails or acrylics, as these treatments can weaken your nails or dry them out.
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Ridges in your nails may be a sign of a nutrient deficiency
While onychorrhexis is more likely to be caused by age and is mainly a cosmetic condition, Beau's lines are often linked to more serious health issues. Treatment for onychorrhexis depends on the cause, and your doctor might prescribe medications to treat the underlying condition, such as iron supplements, or adjust your current medications.
The thickness and number of Beau's lines also provide clues about the cause. A single Beau's line on one nail may indicate an injury that affected only one finger or toe. Beau's lines on all of your nails can mean that an illness or stress caused them. Multiple Beau's lines on each nail may mean that an illness or trauma happened more than once.
It's important to note that ridges in your nails can also be caused by external factors such as biting your fingernails, cutting your cuticles, or using gel manicures, artificial nails, or acrylics. These treatments can weaken your nails or dry them out.
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Ridges can be caused by continually biting your nails, cutting your cuticles, or getting gel manicures
Ridges in your nails may be a sign of a health condition or nutrient deficiency. Horizontal ridges are called Beau's lines and are often linked to more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. These ridges are usually deeper than vertical ridges. Beau's lines on all of your nails can mean that an illness or stress caused them.
Ridges can also be caused by continually biting your nails, cutting your cuticles, or getting gel manicures. These treatments can weaken your nails or dry them out. If you want to avoid ridges, it's best to avoid these habits and take breaks from getting gel manicures or using artificial nails or acrylics. Instead, trim your fingernails with a curved shape and your toenails straight across.
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Multiple Beau's lines on each nail may mean an illness or trauma happened more than once
Ridges in your nails may be a sign of a health condition or nutrient deficiency. Treating the cause can help you grow smoother nails. Horizontal ridges in your nails are called Beau's lines. These are usually deeper than vertical ridges and are often linked to more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies.
Beau's lines can be caused by chronic conditions that need treatment, so they should not be ignored. The thickness and number of Beau's lines can provide clues about the cause. A single Beau's line on one nail may indicate an injury that affected only one finger or toe. Beau's lines on all of your nails can mean that an illness or stress caused them. Multiple Beau's lines on each nail may mean that an illness or trauma happened more than once.
To treat Beau's lines, work with your healthcare provider to find out the underlying cause so you can address any possible health problems. Your doctor might prescribe medications to treat the underlying condition, such as iron supplements, or adjust your current medications.
It's important to note that nail polishes with formaldehyde can dry out your nails and cause more problems, so they should be used carefully. Additionally, biting your fingernails or cutting your cuticles can weaken your nails or dry them out.
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Frequently asked questions
Toe nail ridges can be a sign of a health condition or nutrient deficiency.
Horizontal ridges in toe nails are called Beau's lines.
Causes of Beau's lines include severe infections, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, chemotherapy, and stress.
Treating the cause of the toe nail ridges can help you grow smoother nails. For example, your doctor might prescribe medications to treat the underlying condition, such as iron supplements, or adjust your current medications.
