Sophia Delgado
Horizontal lines across your nails, also known as Beau's lines, can be a sign of an underlying health condition, injury or skin condition. They can also be caused by nutrient deficiencies. Vertical lines, on the other hand, are often harmless and can be a result of the natural ageing process.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Health condition, previous injury, nutrient deficiency, normal ageing, illness, stress, trauma, skin condition, acute systemic stress, acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, infection, diabetes, eczema, psoriasis, dark complexion |
| Treatment | Apply creams or moisturisers for eczema or psoriasis, avoid manicures, artificial nails or harsh nail products, keep blood sugar under control if you have diabetes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Beau's lines: horizontal ridges or dents in one or more nails, caused by an illness, injury or skin condition interrupting nail growth
- Mees lines: white lines associated with acute systemic stress, such as from acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer or infection
- Melanonychia: brown or black lines that usually look like a stripe from the bottom of the nail bed to the top
- Vertical nail ridges: can be a sign of ageing, as many people develop them as they get older
- Horizontal nail ridges: can be caused by a health condition or a previous injury to the nail
Beau's lines: horizontal ridges or dents in one or more nails, caused by an illness, injury or skin condition interrupting nail growth
Horizontal lines across your nails, also known as Beau's lines, are ridges or dents that can be caused by an illness, injury or skin condition interrupting nail growth. They can appear on one or more nails and may be a sign that an illness or trauma has occurred more than once. Thicker Beau's lines may indicate that an illness or trauma lasted a longer time.
Beau's lines can be treated by addressing the underlying cause. For example, if the lines are caused by eczema or psoriasis, applying creams or moisturisers may help. If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar under control is important. Avoiding manicures, artificial nails and harsh nail products can also help prevent Beau's lines.
It is important to note that ridges in your nails can sometimes be harmless and may be a result of the natural ageing process. However, they can also be a sign of certain health conditions or nutrient deficiencies. For example, transverse white nail lines, or Mees lines, have been associated with acute systemic stress, such as from acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer or infection.
Additionally, dark lines on your nails, known as melanonychia, can occur naturally in people with a dark complexion. These lines are typically brown or black and run from the bottom of the nail bed to the top.
Red Streaks on Nails: What Do They Mean?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Mees lines: white lines associated with acute systemic stress, such as from acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer or infection
A line across your nail could be a Beau's line, which is a horizontal ridge or dent in one or more of your fingernails or toenails. Beau's lines are a sign that an illness, injury or skin condition interrupted your nail growth. Thicker Beau's lines may be a sign that an illness or trauma lasted a longer time. Treating the underlying cause will allow new, smooth nails to grow again.
Another possibility is Mees lines, which are transverse white nail lines associated with acute systemic stress, such as from acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer or infection.
Ridges in your nails can also be caused by ageing, nutrient deficiencies, or can be harmless. Dark lines on your nails, known as melanonychia, can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion.
Vertical Lines on Nails: What Do They Indicate?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Melanonychia: brown or black lines that usually look like a stripe from the bottom of the nail bed to the top
Ridges in your nails can be a sign of a health condition or a previous injury. They can also be harmless. Beau's lines, for example, are horizontal ridges or dents in one or more of your fingernails or toenails. They are a sign that an illness, injury or skin condition interrupted your nail growth. Multiple Beau's lines on each nail may mean that an illness or trauma happened more than once. Thicker Beau's lines may be a sign that an illness or trauma lasted a longer time.
Transverse white nail lines, or Mees lines, have been associated with acute systemic stress, such as from acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, or infection (measles, tuberculosis).
If you have a dark line on your fingernails or toenails, this is called melanonychia. The lines are brown or black and usually look like a stripe that begins at the bottom of your nail bed and continues to the top. Melanonychia may appear in one nail or several. These lines can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion.
Pitted Nails: What Do They Mean for Your Health?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Vertical nail ridges: can be a sign of ageing, as many people develop them as they get older
Ridges in your nails are visible lines or dents in your fingernails or toenails. They can run vertically (up and down) or horizontally (across) your nail. Vertical nail ridges, also called longitudinal ridges, are common as people age. Many people develop vertical ridges on their nails as they get older.
Horizontal nail ridges, also known as Beau's lines, are a sign that an illness, injury or skin condition interrupted your nail growth. They can be a sign that an illness or trauma happened more than once. Thicker Beau's lines may indicate that an illness or trauma lasted a long time. Treating the underlying cause will allow new, smooth nails to grow again.
Transverse white nail lines, or Mees lines, have been associated with acute systemic stress, such as from acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, or infection (measles, tuberculosis).
Dark lines on your nails, known as melanonychia, are brown or black stripes that begin at the bottom of your nail bed and continue to the top. They can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion.
Trimming Your Cat's Claws: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Horizontal nail ridges: can be caused by a health condition or a previous injury to the nail
Horizontal nail ridges, or Beau's lines, are a sign that an illness, injury, or skin condition interrupted your nail growth. They can be caused by a health condition or a previous injury to the nail. Beau's lines can be identified by multiple horizontal lines on each nail, indicating that an illness or trauma occurred more than once. Thicker lines may be a sign that an illness or trauma lasted a longer time.
Transverse white nail lines, or Mees lines, are associated with acute systemic stress, such as acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, or infection.
In some cases, horizontal nail ridges are harmless and can be caused by the natural ageing process. However, certain health conditions and nutrient deficiencies can also cause ridges, dents, or lines in your nails.
Treating the underlying cause of horizontal nail ridges will allow new, smooth nails to grow again. It is recommended to apply creams or moisturisers for eczema or psoriasis, avoid manicures, artificial nails, or harsh nail products, and keep blood sugar under control if you have diabetes.
The Meaning of Bumpy Nail Beds Explained
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Horizontal lines across your nails are called Beau's lines. They are a sign that an illness, injury or skin condition interrupted your nail growth.
Vertical lines across your nails are called longitudinal ridges. They can be caused by normal ageing, but they can also be a sign of a health condition or a previous injury to your nail.
White lines across your nails are called Mees lines. They have been associated with acute systemic stress, such as from acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, or infection (measles, tuberculosis).
