Caleb Foster
A wavy bump on a toenail could be a sign of a number of things. Nail abnormalities can be caused by an injury, an infection, or an underlying condition. Beau's lines, for example, are horizontal ridges or dents in one or more of your toenails and are a sign that an illness, injury or skin condition interrupted your nail growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Injury, illness, stress, skin condition, fungal nail infection, lichen planus, thyroid problem, iron deficiency, paronychia |
| Treatment | Treating the underlying cause, applying creams or moisturisers for eczema or psoriasis, antifungal tablets |
| Time to grow out | 6-12 months for a toenail |
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What You'll Learn
- Beau's lines: horizontal ridges or dents in one or more nails, indicating an injury, illness or skin condition
- Brittle nails: often a sign of ageing or long-term exposure to water or chemicals, but can also be caused by a fungal nail infection
- Paronychia: an infection around the nail caused by the yeast-like organism Candida
- Koilonychia: nails are flattened and have concavities, which may be associated with iron deficiency
- Onycholysis: nails become loose and may even detach from the nail bed
Beau's lines: horizontal ridges or dents in one or more nails, indicating an injury, illness or skin condition
Beau's lines are horizontal ridges or dents in one or more nails, indicating an injury, illness or skin condition. They can affect all your nails or just a few, such as your thumbs and big toes. 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. Thicker Beau's lines may be a sign that an illness or trauma lasted a longer time. There isn't a treatment for Beau's lines, but treating the underlying cause can keep them from coming back once they grow out. Your healthcare provider may recommend you apply creams or moisturisers for eczema or psoriasis.
Nail abnormalities are often a sign of infection or injury. They can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition. See your GP if your nails have changed in colour, shape, texture or thickness and you don't know why. Brittle nails are often just a sign of ageing, or long-term exposure to water or chemicals, such as detergents and nail polish. Wearing gloves will help protect your nails while doing work where your hands are exposed to water. Regularly applying moisturising cream to your fingers and nails will also help protect them. Sometimes, brittle or crumbly nails can be caused by a fungal nail infection, which can be cleared by taking a course of antifungal tablets.
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Brittle nails: often a sign of ageing or long-term exposure to water or chemicals, but can also be caused by a fungal nail infection
A wavy bump on a toenail could be a Beau's line, which is a horizontal ridge or dent. Beau's lines are a sign that an illness, injury or skin condition interrupted your nail growth. They can affect all your nails or just a few, such as your thumbs and big toes.
Brittle nails are often a sign of ageing or long-term exposure to water or chemicals, such as detergents and nail polish. Wearing gloves will help protect your nails while doing work where your hands are exposed to water. Regularly applying moisturising cream to your fingers and nails will also help protect them.
Brittle or crumbly nails can also be caused by a fungal nail infection, which can be cleared by taking a course of antifungal tablets. They can also be caused by a skin condition called lichen planus, an underactive or overactive thyroid, or by iron deficiency.
Nail abnormalities are problems with the colour, shape, texture, or thickness of the fingernails or toenails. A paronychia is an infection around the nail, often caused by the yeast-like organism Candida. Inflammation (a red, swollen area) at the base of the nail and changes in the nail itself are signs of this infection.
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Paronychia: an infection around the nail caused by the yeast-like organism Candida
Fingernail or toenail abnormalities are often a sign of infection or injury. They can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition. Beau's lines are horizontal ridges or dents in one or more of your fingernails or toenails. They’re a sign that an illness, injury or skin condition interrupted your nail growth. Treating the underlying cause will allow new, smooth nails to grow again.
Paronychia is an infection around the nail caused by the yeast-like organism Candida. It is characterised by inflammation (red, swollen area) at the base of the nail and changes in the nail itself. Nails may exhibit many different abnormalities, including koilonychia, where the nails are flattened and have concavities, and onycholysis, where the nails become loose and may even detach from the nail bed.
If you notice any changes in the colour, texture, shape or thickness of your nails, it is important to see your doctor as it could be a sign of an underlying condition. Brittle nails, for example, can be caused by ageing, long-term exposure to water or chemicals, or a fungal nail infection. In some cases, nail abnormalities can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as an underactive or overactive thyroid.
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Koilonychia: nails are flattened and have concavities, which may be associated with iron deficiency
Fingernail and toenail abnormalities can be a sign of infection or injury. They can also be a sign of an underlying condition. Beau's lines, for example, are horizontal ridges or dents in one or more nails, which indicate an injury or illness. They can be treated by addressing the underlying cause.
Nail abnormalities can also be caused by long-term exposure to water or chemicals, such as detergents and nail polish. Brittle nails, for example, can be caused by an underactive or overactive thyroid.
In some cases, nail abnormalities can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Koilonychia is a condition in which the nails are flattened and have concavities. This condition may be associated with iron deficiency. Onycholysis is another condition in which the nails become loose and may even detach from the nail bed.
If you notice any changes in the colour, texture, shape, or thickness of your nails, it is important to see your doctor. Clubbing of the fingertips, for example, can be a sign of increased blood flow to the fingertips and may run in families. While it is often harmless, it is important to get checked out by a medical professional.
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Onycholysis: nails become loose and may even detach from the nail bed
Fingernail and toenail abnormalities can be a sign of infection or injury. They can also be a sign of an underlying condition. 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. Thicker Beau's lines may be a sign that an illness or trauma lasted a longer time.
Nail abnormalities can also be caused by long-term exposure to water or chemicals, such as detergents and nail polish. Brittle nails are often a sign of ageing, but they can also be caused by a fungal nail infection, a skin condition called lichen planus, or an underactive or overactive thyroid.
In the condition known as koilonychia, the nails are flattened and have concavities. This condition may be associated with iron deficiency.
Onycholysis is a condition in which the nails become loose and may even detach from the nail bed. This can be caused by a number of factors, including injury, infection, and underlying medical conditions. It is important to see a healthcare professional if you are experiencing onycholysis, as it may be a sign of a more serious condition.
If you are experiencing nail abnormalities, it is important to see your GP, especially if your nails have changed in colour, texture, shape, or thickness. Your GP can help to diagnose and treat any underlying conditions that may be causing your nail abnormalities.
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Frequently asked questions
Beau's lines.
Horizontal ridges or dents in one or more toenails.
An illness, injury or skin condition that interrupts nail growth.
There is no treatment for Beau's lines, but treating the underlying cause can keep them from coming back once they grow out.
It takes six to 12 months for a toenail to fully grow out.
