Noah Sinclair
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can sometimes indicate a health condition or a previous injury. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vertical ridges | Ageing, iron deficiency, improper nail care, nail trauma, vitamin deficiencies, skin conditions, thyroid disease |
| Horizontal ridges | Malnutrition, serious nail injury, Beau's lines, vitamin deficiencies, medical conditions |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Ageing
Vertical ridges in nails are often a sign of ageing. These lines are harmless and not dangerous. However, they can also be caused by improper nail care, nail trauma, vitamin deficiencies, or a more pressing medical condition. For example, iron deficiency may cause vertical ridges in your nails. Other vitamins that can contribute to nail health include zinc and vitamins A, C, and D.
Horizontal ridges on fingernails, on the other hand, are often deeper than vertical ridges and can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are horizontal ridges or dents in your nails that usually happen when something interrupts your nail growth. Possible causes include chemotherapy. Horizontal ridges should not be ignored, as they can be a sign of a more serious medical condition. If you notice changes to the colour or texture of your nails, including the appearance of dark lines, you should speak to a medical professional.
The Mystery of White Spots on Nails Revealed
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Malnutrition
Dry, ridged nails can be a sign of malnutrition. Ridges in nails can be harmless, but they can also be a sign of a health condition or a previous injury to the nail. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, but they can also be caused by improper nail care, nail trauma, or a vitamin deficiency. Horizontal ridges, called Beau's lines, can be a sign of malnutrition, a serious nail injury, or a more pressing medical condition. Beau's lines can be caused by interruptions to nail growth, such as chemotherapy. If you notice changes to the colour or texture of your nails, including the appearance of dark lines, it is important to speak to a medical professional.
Round Nails: What They Mean and Why You Should Care
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![NatureWise Hair Skin and Nails Vitamin, Biotin 5000mcg w/Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen for Women with C, B Complex, D3, A, E, Iron - Non-GMO, Gluten Free - 150 Softgels[50-Day Supply]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/711XQJUMNkL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Nail trauma
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can mean different things. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau’s lines. Beau's lines are horizontal ridges or dents in your nails that can happen when something interrupts your nail growth. Possible causes include chemotherapy.
According to 2022 research, ridges are usually due to ageing. But they can also be a sign of improper nail care, nail trauma, vitamin deficiencies, or even a more pressing medical condition. Certain nutritional deficiencies can affect your nails. For example, iron deficiency may cause vertical ridges in your nails. Other vitamins that can contribute to the health of your nails include zinc and vitamins A, C, and D.
You can also create ridges in your nails through a trauma or injury. This can include hitting the nail, potentially causing a bruise to form underneath the nail, leading to swelling and a change of shape to the nail. This might mean that you also notice brown spots forming, which will gradually heal.
If you start to notice changes to the colour or texture of your nails as well, including the appearance of dark lines, then it may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, and you should make sure that you speak to a medical professional.
Understanding the Meaning of Flat Spots on Fingernails
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$27
$14.25 $23.99
Vitamin deficiencies
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can sometimes indicate vitamin deficiencies. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are horizontal ridges that run across the nails and are deeper than vertical ridges. They are usually several running across the nail, not just one.
According to research, ridges are usually due to ageing. But they can also be a sign of improper nail care, nail trauma, or a more pressing medical condition. Certain nutritional deficiencies can affect your nails. For example, iron deficiency may cause vertical ridges in your nails. Other vitamins that can contribute to nail health include zinc and vitamins A, C, and D. Biotin is also highly recommended to aid in nail health, but more research is needed to understand the full extent of its benefits.
If you notice changes to the colour or texture of your nails, including the appearance of dark lines, it may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, and you should speak to a medical professional. Ridges in your nails can also be caused by a previous injury to your nail, such as hitting the nail, which can cause a bruise to form underneath, leading to swelling and a change of shape.
If you have very dry skin or eczema, you may also have vertical lines on your nails. Additionally, if you have hypothyroidism, your nails may be thick and brittle with vertical ridges. They may also crumble or break easily and look more rounded, with a puffy fingertip.
Baby Blue Nails: What's the Meaning Behind This Trend?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Skin conditions
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can mean different things. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are horizontal ridges or dents in your nails that usually happen when something interrupts your nail growth. Possible causes include chemotherapy.
If you have very dry skin or eczema, you may have vertical lines on your nails. 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.
Ridges can also be caused by trauma or injury, such as hitting your nail, which can cause a bruise to form underneath the nail, leading to swelling and a change of shape to the nail. This might mean that you also notice brown spots forming, which will gradually heal.
According to 2022 research, ridges are usually due to ageing. But they can also be a sign of improper nail care, nail trauma, vitamin deficiencies, or even a more pressing medical condition. Certain nutritional deficiencies can affect your nails. For example, iron deficiency may cause vertical ridges in your nails. Other vitamins that can contribute to the health of your nails include zinc and vitamins A, C, and D. According to 2018 research, biotin is also highly recommended to aid in nail health, but more research is still needed to understand the full extent of its benefits.
The Intriguing Significance of Dark Red Nails
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Dry, ridged nails can be a sign of a health condition or a previous injury to your nail. They can also be caused by ageing, skin conditions, or thyroid disease.
There are two types of nail ridges: vertical and horizontal. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines.
Beau's lines are horizontal ridges or dents in your nails that usually occur when something interrupts your nail growth. Possible causes include chemotherapy.
Yes, an injury to your nail can cause ridges. This can include hitting your nail, potentially causing a bruise to form underneath, leading to swelling and a change of shape to the nail.
![NutraChamps Biotin Gummies 10000mcg [High Potency] for Healthy Hair, Skin & Nails Vitamins for Women, Men & Kids - 5000mcg in Each Hair Vitamins Gummy - Vegan, Non-GMO, Hair Health Supplement](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71xfwRSTtWL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
