Noah Sinclair
Ridges in your nails can be caused by a variety of factors, including ageing, nutritional deficiencies, skin conditions, and trauma to the nail bed. While most nail ridges are harmless, they can sometimes indicate underlying health issues such as vitamin deficiencies, infections, or more serious medical conditions. Horizontal ridges, also known as Beau's lines, may suggest a disruption in nail growth due to chemotherapy, artificial nails, or gel manicures. Vertical ridges, or longitudinal ridges, are typically associated with ageing and become more pronounced as nails thin and become more brittle. However, they can also be indicative of health conditions such as hypothyroidism or nutrient deficiencies, including iron and zinc deficiencies. Proper nail care, such as moisturization and avoiding nail biting, can help improve the appearance of ridges, but it is important to consult a healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ridges | Vertical or horizontal |
| Vertical ridges | More common and less serious |
| Horizontal ridges | Deeper and more serious |
| Cause of vertical ridges | Aging, nail injury, nutritional deficiencies, underlying medical conditions |
| Cause of horizontal ridges | Malnutrition, serious nail injury, vitamin deficiencies, infections, underlying conditions |
| Treatment for vertical ridges | Moisturizer, skin cream, biotin supplements, avoiding gel manicures and artificial nails |
| Treatment for horizontal ridges | Treating the underlying cause, such as managing blood sugar for diabetes |
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Ageing
Ridges in nails, also known as onychorrhexis, are often a typical sign of ageing. Vertical ridges, which extend from the bottom of the nail to the tip, are more common in older adults and are usually harmless. They occur due to a slowing of cell turnover, where new skin cells produced below the surface of the skin take longer to reach the surface, replacing dead cells. This process can be affected by issues with the production of skin cells and the skin protein keratin, leading to onychorrhexis.
As people age, their nails can naturally become ridged, dry, brittle, and thinner. This is a normal part of the ageing process and is one of the most common causes of onychorrhexis. While vertical ridges are usually benign, they can sometimes indicate an underlying medical issue, such as hypothyroidism, heart and circulatory diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. For example, iron deficiency is associated with vertical nail ridges and spoon nails, where the centre of the nail is scooped out.
Horizontal ridges or deep grooves, known as Beau's lines, are often more concerning and may indicate a serious condition. These lines can be caused by various factors, including chemotherapy, damage from artificial nails or gel manicures, and underlying health issues such as diabetes, kidney disease, or malnutrition. Beau's lines can interrupt nail growth, and addressing the underlying condition is crucial for nail health.
While nail ridges are usually harmless, it is important to pay attention to any changes in your nails as they can sometimes indicate underlying health issues. Proper nail care, including moisturising, avoiding nail biting, and limiting the use of artificial nails or gel manicures, can help improve the appearance of ridges and promote healthier nails.
If you are concerned about nail ridges, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional, who can evaluate any underlying health conditions and provide guidance on improving nail health.
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Health conditions
Ridges in your nails are often harmless and are usually a sign of ageing. However, they can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health condition.
Vertical ridges
Vertical ridges, also called longitudinal ridges, are typically a result of the normal ageing process. They are common in older adults and are usually nothing to worry about. However, in some cases, they can indicate an underlying medical issue.
- Dry skin accompanied by dehydration of the nail plate
- Psoriasis
- Lichen planus
- Other inflammatory skin conditions
Horizontal ridges
Horizontal ridges, also known as Beau's lines, are often deeper than vertical ridges and are usually linked to more serious health issues. Beau's lines can be caused by:
- Severe infections
- Diabetes
- Nutritional deficiencies, such as zinc or iron deficiency
- Severe illnesses with high fever, such as COVID-19, measles, pneumonia, or strep infections
- Physical trauma to the nail, such as dropping something heavy on your finger or toe, or slamming your finger in a door
- Mental and emotional stress, such as severe anxiety, divorce, or job loss
- Chronic conditions that interfere with blood flow to the nail, including peripheral vascular disease, hypothyroidism, and Raynaud's disease
- Skin conditions, such as eczema
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Nutrient deficiencies
Ridges in your nails can be a sign of nutrient deficiencies. While ridges are usually harmless and are a common part of the ageing process, they can sometimes indicate a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Zinc deficiency, for example, can cause Beau's lines (deep horizontal ridges) and white spots on your nails. Iron deficiency can also cause vertical nail ridges and koilonychia, or spoon nails, which have a depression in the middle. Other vitamin deficiencies that can cause ridges include vitamins A, C, and D.
If you suspect that your nail ridges are due to nutrient deficiencies, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. They can help determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment or supplements. For instance, treating thyroid disease often improves or resolves related nail problems. Taking iron or zinc supplements, with your provider's guidance, may help improve the appearance of your nails and promote healthy nail growth.
In addition to treating the underlying cause, you can also improve the appearance of your nails with home care. Moisturising your nails and cuticles daily can help relieve dry skin, making ridges less noticeable. Applying a skin cream to your hands and wearing thin cotton gloves to sleep can also help lock in moisture. It is also important to avoid biting your nails or cutting your cuticles, as this can weaken your nails and make ridges more prominent.
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Nail trauma
Ridges in your nails can be caused by nail trauma. A fingernail or toenail can be injured by a blow to the nail, or by closing your finger or toe in a door or drawer. This kind of trauma can result in blood under the nail, known as subungual haematoma. Nails can also be accidentally torn or split, or a splinter can get under the nail. Repeated trauma to toenails, caused by ill-fitting shoes, can lead to deformities in the nails. Toenail injuries are common among athletes and are usually caused by repetitive microtraumas, such as the nail plate striking footwear.
Habits such as nail biting and cuticle biting can also cause trauma to the nails. Nail biting is a main cause of acute paronychia, a type of infection where bacteria get underneath the tissue at the side of the nail and cause swelling and irritation. Repetitive picking at your thumbnail and cuticle with your index finger can produce a line of horizontal hatch marks in the middle of the nail.
Chronic trauma and/or manipulation of the cuticles and surrounding skin can lead to chronic inflammation, facilitating microbial entry. Bacterial infections are often due to staphylococcal and streptococcal species but may involve anaerobic bacteria, including pseudomonas aeruginosa. Viral infections commonly includes human papillomavirus, causing warts.
If blood is trapped between the nail plate and nail bed, it is usually a result of trauma. This may cause throbbing pain and bluish-black discolouration, and unless small, will eventually separate and temporarily lose the nail plate. When the cause is a crush injury, an underlying fracture and nail bed or matrix damage may occur. Nail bed or matrix damage may result in permanent nail deformity.
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Skin conditions
Ridges in your nails are often harmless and are a common occurrence with age. However, they can sometimes indicate an underlying health problem, especially if they are horizontal.
Onychorrhexis
Onychorrhexis is a condition that causes vertical ridges and splitting in the nails. It is often a result of the natural ageing process, where nails become ridged, dry, brittle, or thick. While onychorrhexis is generally not a cause for concern, it can sometimes indicate a separate health problem.
Beau's Lines
Beau's lines are deeper horizontal ridges that can appear on one or more nails. They are often linked to more serious health issues, such as severe infections, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, or chronic conditions that interfere with blood flow to the nail matrix. Beau's lines can also be caused by skin conditions, such as eczema, which can be treated with moisturisers or topical ointments. It is important to determine the underlying cause of Beau's lines and treat them accordingly.
Iron Deficiency
Iron deficiency can cause vertical nail ridges and koilonychia, also known as spoon nails. Treating the deficiency with supplements, in consultation with a healthcare provider, can help improve the appearance of the nails over time.
Other Skin Conditions
Other skin conditions that can cause nail ridges include vitamin or nutrient deficiencies, such as a severe zinc deficiency or lack of sufficient protein in the diet. Treating the underlying deficiency can help restore normal nail growth. Additionally, maintaining good nail hygiene and self-care practices, such as moisturising and avoiding harsh nail treatments, can help improve the appearance of ridges.
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Frequently asked questions
Ridges in your nails are visible lines or dents that can run vertically (up and down) or horizontally (across) the nail.
Vertical nail ridges are often a sign of aging. They can also be caused by nutrient deficiencies, skin conditions like eczema, or thyroid disease.
Horizontal nail ridges, also known as Beau's lines, can be caused by malnutrition, serious nail injuries, or underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.
If the ridges are caused by a health condition, treating the underlying cause can help improve the appearance of your nails. Moisturizing your nails daily and maintaining good nail hygiene can also help. For age-related ridges, using a nail buffer can help smooth them out, but it should not be done too frequently as it can weaken the nails.
If you notice any other symptoms or changes in your nails, such as discolouration, pain, or thickness, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause. A dermatologist can examine your nails and advise on an appropriate treatment plan.
