Ridges in your fingernails or toenails can be a sign of a current or past illness, injury, or nutrient deficiency. They can also be a sign of ageing, as cell turnover slows down. In some cases, they are harmless. If you have ridges in your nails, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional to determine the cause.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Current or past illness |
| Injury | |
| Skin condition | |
| Nutrient deficiency | |
| Ageing | |
| Treatment | Treating the underlying cause will allow new, smooth nails to grow again |
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What You'll Learn

Ridges in nails can be a sign of a current or past illness
Ridges in nails are visible lines or dents that can run either vertically (up and down) or horizontally (across) the nail. They can affect all your nails or just a few, such as your thumbs and big toes. Horizontal ridges are known as Beau's lines and can be a symptom of serious conditions, sometimes stopping nail growth until the underlying condition is treated. If Beau's lines appear, acute kidney disease may also be present.
If you are concerned about ridges in your nails, you should consult your healthcare provider. They can help you determine the cause and advise on treatment. Treating the underlying cause will allow new, smooth nails to grow again.
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Ridges in nails can be a sign of a nutrient deficiency
Horizontal ridges, known as Beau's lines, are often a symptom of serious conditions and can stop nail growth until the underlying condition is treated. If Beau's lines appear, acute kidney disease may also be present.
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Ridges in nails can be a sign of ageing
Ridges in nails can also be a sign of a current or past illness or injury. Beau's lines, for example, are deep horizontal ridges that can be a symptom of serious conditions, including acute kidney disease. They may even stop nail growth until the underlying condition is treated. If you notice any changes in the texture of your nails, it's important to seek medical advice to rule out any potential health issues.
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Ridges in nails can be harmless
However, ridges in nails can also be a sign of a current or past illness or injury. They may also be caused by a nutrient deficiency. If you are concerned about ridges in your nails, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional, who can help determine the cause. Treating the underlying cause will allow new, smooth nails to grow again.
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Ridges in nails can be a sign of a previous injury
Vertical ridges on nails are also common and can be a sign of vitamin or nutrient deficiency. You may notice them if you have an eating disorder or if you're low in nutrients such as iron, folic acid (vitamin B9) or protein. They can also be caused by inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis or lichen planus.
Ridges in nails can also be a sign of ageing. As we age, the turnover of new skin cells slows down, which can cause vertical ridges in fingernails.
If you experience texture changes in your nails, it may be caused by a medical condition. In trachyonychia (twenty-nail dystrophy), ridges can appear in all nails.
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Frequently asked questions
Ridges on thumbnails are usually a sign of ageing, but they can also be caused by vitamin or nutrient deficiencies, such as low iron, folic acid or protein.
Vertical ridges on thumbnails are usually nothing to worry about, but occasionally they can be a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as vitamin or nutrient deficiency.
Horizontal ridges on thumbnails, known as Beau's lines, are a sign that an illness, injury or skin condition has interrupted your nail growth.









































