Sophia Delgado
Wrinkled nails, or ridges in the nails, are usually nothing to worry about. They are often a sign of ageing, and are sometimes caused by genetics or a lack of circulation to the extremities. However, in rare cases, they can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis, or cardiovascular problems. If your nails are also discoloured, misshapen, or have changed in texture, it's a good idea to consult a doctor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Ageing, genetics, injury, disease |
| Appearance | Longitudinal ridges, thinness, splitting, discolouration, misshapen |
| Action | Consult a doctor, see a dermatologist |
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What You'll Learn
Ridges in nails are usually a sign of ageing
Longitudinal ridges, which run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail, are the most common and usually don't mean much. However, if your nails have also become thinner, split, discoloured or misshapen, it's worth scheduling a visit with your dermatologist to rule out any other causes.
In rare cases, ridges in fingernails could be a sign of a more serious health issue. According to research in the *Indian Dermatology Online Journal*, ridges in nails can sometimes indicate nutrient deficiencies or more serious health problems such as anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis or cardiovascular problems. A single ridge in the middle of the nail, for example, could be a sign of a lack of protein or folic acid.
Ridges in nails, also known as Beau's lines, could also signal disease or be a remnant of an old injury, according to Dr Lee. They occur when there is a temporary stop in nail growth in the proximal nail matrix, where the fingernail is made.
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They can be caused by injury or manicures
Wrinkled nails, also known as Beau's lines, are usually benign and can be caused by injury or manicures. They occur because there is a temporary stop in nail growth in the proximal nail matrix, where the fingernail is made. This can be caused by mechanical trauma, such as manicures, jamming your finger in a door, or other injuries.
In some cases, they could be a sign of a more serious issue. If your nails have become thinner, split, discoloured, or misshapen, it is recommended that you schedule a visit with your dermatologist to get to the bottom of the problem. Ridges in fingernails could be a sign of anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis, or cardiovascular problems. A single ridge in the middle of the nail could indicate a nutrient deficiency, such as a lack of protein or folic acid.
However, in most cases, wrinkled nails are simply a sign of ageing. Fingernails are made mostly of keratin, a protein also found in the hair and outer layer of skin. As you get older, circulation to your extremities can slow down, which can contribute to the development of nail ridges. Some people are also genetically predisposed to weak, brittle nails that are more susceptible to ridging.
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They could be a sign of nutrient deficiency
Wrinkled nails, or nail ridges, are most commonly a sign of ageing. However, they could also be a sign of nutrient deficiency.
According to Dr Lee, ridges in fingernails could be a sign of a nutrient deficiency, such as a lack of protein or folic acid. This is particularly true if your nails have also become thinner, split, discoloured, or misshapen.
In rare cases, ridges in fingernails could be a sign of anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis, or cardiovascular problems.
Dr Mona Gohara, a dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale, likens nail ridges to wrinkles in the skin. She says that, most of the time, they are just something that happens with age. However, some people are genetically predisposed to weak, brittle nails that are susceptible to ridging. As you get older, circulation to your extremities can slow down, which can also cause nail ridges.
If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is best to consult a doctor or dermatologist.
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Ridges can be a symptom of disease
Ridges in nails, also known as Beau's lines, can be a symptom of disease. Dr Lee says that they could signal disease or just be a remnant of an old injury. In rare cases, ridges in fingernails could be a sign of anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis, or cardiovascular problems, according to research in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal. A single ridge in the middle of the nail could be a sign of a nutrient deficiency, such as a lack of protein or folic acid. If your nails have become thinner, split, discoloured, or misshapen, you should schedule a visit with your dermatologist. However, it's important to note that in most cases, ridges in nails are simply a sign of ageing.
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Some people are genetically predisposed to weak, brittle nails
While nail ridges are often just a sign of ageing, some people are genetically predisposed to weak, brittle nails that are susceptible to ridging. As you get older, circulation to your extremities can slow down, which can also cause nail ridges.
Nail ridges are also known as Beau's lines and can be caused by a temporary stop in nail growth in the proximal nail matrix, where the fingernail is made. This can be caused by mechanical trauma, such as manicures or jamming your finger in a door.
In rare cases, ridges in fingernails could be a sign of a more serious health problem, such as anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis, or cardiovascular problems. If your nails are also thinner, split, discoloured, or misshapen, it's a good idea to consult a doctor.
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Frequently asked questions
In most cases, wrinkled nails are a sign of ageing. However, they could also be a sign of an underlying health condition, such as a nutrient deficiency, or an old injury.
Longitudinal ridges are the most common type of nail ridge and usually don't mean much. Ridges that run side to side are less common and could be a sign of a nutrient deficiency.
If your nails are also thinner, split, discoloured, or misshapen, you should schedule a visit with your dermatologist.
