Vertical Lines On Nails: What Do They Indicate?

what do verticle lines on the nails mean

Vertical lines on the nails, also known as longitudinal ridges, are usually harmless and are often a sign of ageing. However, they can sometimes be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as hypothyroidism, which can cause thick, brittle nails that crumble or break easily.

Characteristics Values
Cause Ageing, hypothyroidism, underlying medical issue
Appearance Extend from the bottom of the nail to the tip
Harmless Yes

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Vertical lines on nails are usually harmless

Horizontal lines, on the other hand, can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines can be caused by something interrupting nail growth, such as chemotherapy, damage from artificial nails or gel manicures, injury to the nail, peripheral vascular disease (PAD), or a severe illness with a high fever, such as COVID-19, measles, or pneumonia.

While vertical lines on nails are typically not a cause for concern, if you are concerned about the appearance of your nails or notice any other changes, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional or dermatologist for further evaluation.

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They can be a sign of ageing

Vertical lines on the nails, also called longitudinal ridges, are usually harmless and are often a sign of ageing. Many people develop these vertical ridges on their nails as they get older. They are called onychorrhexis and extend from the bottom of the nail to the tip.

However, they can occasionally be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as thyroid disease. If you have hypothyroidism, you may have thick, brittle nails with vertical ridges that crumble or break easily. Your nails may also look more rounded and your fingertip may be puffy.

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They can be a sign of an underlying medical issue

Vertical lines on the nails, also known as longitudinal ridges, are usually harmless and are often a sign of ageing. However, they can occasionally be a sign of an underlying medical issue. For example, vertical nail ridges can be a symptom of hypothyroidism, which can cause nails to become thick, brittle, and crumbly, and can also lead to nails breaking easily. Vertical nail ridges can also be a sign of peripheral vascular disease (PAD).

nailicy

They can be a sign of hypothyroidism

Vertical lines on the nails, also known as longitudinal ridges, are usually harmless and are often a sign of ageing. However, they can occasionally be a sign of an underlying medical issue. For instance, if you have hypothyroidism, you may have thick, brittle nails with vertical ridges. Your nails may also crumble or break easily. They may look more rounded and your fingertip may be puffy.

nailicy

They can be caused by a previous injury to the nail

Vertical lines on the nails are usually harmless and are often a sign of ageing. However, they can also be caused by a previous injury to the nail, such as slamming your finger in a door or dropping something on your foot. In some cases, they may indicate an underlying medical issue, such as hypothyroidism, which can cause thick, brittle nails with vertical ridges that may crumble or break easily.

Frequently asked questions

Vertical lines on the nails are usually harmless and are often a sign of aging.

Vertical lines on the nails are also called longitudinal ridges.

Vertical lines on the nails can be caused by hypothyroidism, which can make nails thick, brittle and crumbly.

Horizontal lines on the nails can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury or Beau's lines.

Beau's lines are horizontal ridges or dents in the nails that can be caused by chemotherapy, damage from using artificial nails, injury to the nail, peripheral vascular disease (PAD) or severe illness with high fever, such as COVID-19, measles or pneumonia.

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