Noah Sinclair
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can sometimes indicate a health problem. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. In some cases, ridges may be a sign of vitamin deficiencies or diabetes. One condition that causes ridges in the nails is trachyonychia, which is characterised by rough, accentuated linear ridges on the nails of the fingers and toes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ridges | Vertical or horizontal |
| Cause | Usually a sign of aging |
| Cause | Could be a sign of health problems like vitamin deficiencies or diabetes |
| Cause | Could be a sign of malnutrition |
| Cause | Could be a sign of improper nail care |
| Cause | Could be a sign of nail trauma |
| Cause | Could be a sign of a more pressing medical condition |
| Other symptoms | Nails may become opalescent, thin, dull, fragile, and finely longitudinally ridged |
| Other symptoms | Nails may become brittle, break easily, and split at the edges |
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What You'll Learn
Ridges in nails are usually harmless
While ridges in nails are usually harmless, it's important to pay attention to fingernail ridges and other nail changes. These might be the first signs of a serious medical problem. Slight vertical ridges commonly develop in older adults. In some cases, ridges may be a sign of health problems like vitamin deficiencies or diabetes. Deep horizontal ridges, called Beau's lines, may suggest a serious condition.
Onychorrhexis is a condition that affects your nails, causing them to develop ridges and splitting. These ridges often look like thin grooves running vertically along the length of your nail. Your nails may also become brittle, break easily, and split at the edges. Onychorrhexis involves the nail matrix, which is responsible for making your nails grow. Issues with making skin cells and a skin protein called keratin can change how your nails grow, leading to onychorrhexis. Onychorrhexis causes vertical ridges on your fingernails. It often happens with ageing but can also be a symptom of a health condition. Most of the time, onychorrhexis isn’t concerning and is just a cosmetic annoyance.
Trachyonychia is a benign but chronic condition. When the condition occurs on all the twenty nails of the fingers and toes, it is known as twenty-nail dystrophy, most evident in childhood, favouring males. Trachyonychia causes the nails to become opalescent, thin, dull, fragile, and finely longitudinally ridged, and, as a result, distally notched. It can be a manifestation of lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis vulgaris. "The longitudinal striations can occur as a normal part of the ageing process", and not until the nails start to thin and get a sandpaper look is the condition called trachyonychia.
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Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing
Vertical ridges on the nails are often a sign of ageing. This is a typical sign of ageing, with slight vertical ridges commonly developing in older adults. This is known as onychorrhexis, a condition that causes the nails to develop ridges and splitting. Nails may also become brittle, break easily and split at the edges.
While vertical ridges are usually harmless, they can sometimes be a sign of vitamin deficiencies, such as an iron deficiency, or even a more pressing medical condition. Horizontal ridges, on the other hand, can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines.
Trachyonychia is another condition that can cause striated nails. This condition causes the nails to become opalescent, thin, dull, fragile and finely longitudinally ridged. It can be a manifestation of lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis vulgaris. However, it's important to note that trachyonychia is only diagnosed when the nails start to thin and get a sandpaper look, and the longitudinal striations are considered a normal part of the ageing process.
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Horizontal ridges can point to malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can sometimes indicate a more serious health problem. 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 deep horizontal ridges that may suggest a serious condition.
Horizontal ridges can be a sign of nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of iron, zinc, or vitamins A, C, and D. Certain vitamins and minerals are essential for nail health, and a deficiency in these nutrients can lead to changes in the appearance of the nails, including the development of horizontal ridges.
In some cases, horizontal ridges may be a result of improper nail care or nail trauma. This could include habits such as biting or picking at the nails, or using harsh nail care products or techniques that can damage the nail bed. Additionally, horizontal ridges can sometimes be a sign of a more pressing medical condition. For example, they can be associated with conditions such as lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, or ichthyosis vulgaris.
It is important to pay attention to fingernail ridges and other nail changes, as they might be an early indication of an underlying health issue. If you notice horizontal ridges on your nails, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. They can assess your overall health, review your diet and lifestyle, and determine if any further tests or interventions are necessary to address the issue.
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Trachyonychia is a benign but chronic condition
The condition is usually harmless and is often a normal part of the ageing process. However, it can also be a sign of 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 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.
When the condition occurs on all twenty nails of the fingers and toes, it is known as twenty-nail dystrophy, most evident in childhood and favouring males. Resolving nail abnormalities without treatment can be a gradual process, often spanning several years.
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Onychorrhexis is a condition that causes nails to develop ridges and splitting
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. 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.
Trachyonychia is a benign but chronic condition characterised by rough accentuated linear ridges (longitudinal striations) on the nails of the fingers and toes. When the condition occurs on all the twenty nails of the fingers and toes, it is known as twenty-nail dystrophy, most evident in childhood, favouring males. Trachyonychia causes the nails to become opalescent, thin, dull, fragile, and finely longitudinally ridged, and, as a result, distally notched. It can be a manifestation of lichen planus, psoriasis, alopecia areata, immunoglobulin A deficiency, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis vulgaris.
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Frequently asked questions
Striated nails are a typical sign of ageing. However, they can also be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, diabetes, or malnutrition.
Striated nails are nails that have developed ridges. These ridges can be vertical or horizontal. Vertical ridges are more common and are usually harmless. Horizontal ridges, also known as Beau's lines, can point to more serious issues.
Striated nails have rough, linear ridges that run along the length of the nail. They can also be described as looking like sandpaper.
Striated nails can be caused by a variety of factors, including ageing, improper nail care, nail trauma, vitamin deficiencies, or more serious medical conditions.
