Isla Bennett
Ridges in your fingernails can be a sign of a current or past illness or a nutrient deficiency. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing or a vitamin deficiency, while horizontal ridges can point to malnutrition, serious nail injury or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are often deep and multiple and can be a sign of a condition that keeps interrupting nail growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Direction | Vertical or horizontal |
| Cause | Ageing, malnutrition, serious nail injury, vitamin or nutrient deficiency, underlying condition, skin condition, eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, inflammatory skin condition, manicures or pedicures, nail polish remover, cuticle softener |
| Treatment | Focus on resolving the underlying condition, e.g. topical treatments for eczema |
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What You'll Learn
Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing
Vertical ridges in your fingernails are usually harmless and are often a sign of ageing. However, they can also be a sign of a vitamin or nutrient deficiency, such as a lack of iron, folic acid (vitamin B9) or protein. In some cases, vertical ridges can be caused by an underlying health condition, such as dry skin, psoriasis, lichen planus or other inflammatory skin conditions. Repeated manicures or pedicures, and exposure to chemicals found in nail polish removers and cuticle softeners, can also make vertical nail ridges more visible.
Horizontal ridges, on the other hand, can point to more serious issues. These include malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines, which are deep, multiple lines that run horizontally across the fingernail. Beau's lines may appear in people who have undergone chemotherapy or who have had mumps or syphilis. They can also be a sign of a current or past illness that is interrupting nail growth. If new Beau's lines keep appearing, this could indicate an underlying condition that requires diagnosis and treatment.
If you are concerned about ridges in your fingernails, it is best to consult a healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist, who can help determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment. Treatment typically focuses on resolving the condition that is causing the nail ridges to appear. For example, if eczema is causing the ridges, a dermatologist may prescribe topical treatments to reduce the symptoms of eczema.
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Horizontal ridges can be caused by malnutrition
Ridges in your fingernails or toenails can be a sign of a current or past illness. They can also be caused by a nutrient deficiency. Horizontal ridges can be caused by malnutrition, a serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are deep, multiple lines that run horizontally across the fingernail. They are often a sign of an underlying condition that requires diagnosis and treatment. If you have Beau's lines from a previous illness, the lines should gradually grow out. However, if new Beau's lines keep appearing, this could be a sign that a person has a condition that keeps interrupting their nail growth. People who have had mumps or syphilis may also get horizontal ridges in their fingernails and toenails.
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Ridges can be a sign of a current or past illness
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can sometimes be a sign of a current or past illness. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, but horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines may also appear in people who have undergone chemotherapy. Horizontal ridges can also be caused by stress or an emotional shock. In some cases, ridges may be a sign of health problems like vitamin deficiencies or diabetes. If doctors suspect an underlying disorder is causing fingernail ridges, they will often order additional tests and take blood or urine samples. Treatment typically focuses on resolving the condition that is causing the nail ridges to appear.
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Ridges can be caused by nutrient deficiencies
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can sometimes indicate an underlying condition. 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 may also appear in people who have undergone chemotherapy.
Horizontal ridges can also be caused by stress or emotional shock, and indicate abnormal nail growth.
Ridges in the fingernails can also be a sign of vitamin deficiencies or diabetes. Doctors may order additional tests and take blood or urine samples to check for underlying disorders.
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Ridges can be caused by skin conditions such as eczema
Ridges in the fingernails are often a sign of an underlying condition. Skin conditions such as eczema can cause ridges in the fingernails. If you have eczema, a dermatologist will try to reduce the symptoms by prescribing topical treatments.
Ridges in the fingernails can also be a sign of a current or past illness. Horizontal ridges, also known as Beau's lines, can be a sign of malnutrition, serious nail injury, or a previous illness such as mumps or syphilis. Beau's lines may also appear in people who have undergone chemotherapy. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing or a vitamin or nutrient deficiency, such as low levels of iron, folic acid (vitamin B9) or protein.
If you are concerned about ridges in your fingernails, you should consult a healthcare professional. They can help determine the cause of the ridges and advise on any necessary treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Vertical nail ridges are usually a sign of aging.
Horizontal nail ridges can be a sign of an underlying condition, such as malnutrition, serious nail injury, Beau's lines, or vitamin deficiencies.
Some dermatologists suggest gently buffing nails to remove ridges, but it's recommended to stick with moisturising your nails, keeping them trimmed, and checking with a dermatologist for further advice.
Yes, horizontal nail ridges can be caused by stress or emotional shock.
If you think you have nail ridges, it's important to pay attention to any other nail changes and check with a dermatologist for further advice.
