Noah Sinclair
Ridges in your nails are visible lines or dents that can run either vertically or horizontally. While they are usually harmless, they can sometimes indicate an underlying health condition or a previous injury. Melanonychia, for example, is a condition characterised by brown or black lines on the nails, which may be a sign of nail cancer, trauma, or other health issues. Beau's lines, on the other hand, are deep horizontal ridges that can be caused by various factors, including nutritional deficiencies, severe illness, and chemotherapy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of line | Vertical or horizontal |
| Vertical line characteristics | Commonly a sign of aging; can be caused by skin conditions like eczema; can be caused by anemia |
| Horizontal line characteristics | Can be a sign of an underlying condition that requires diagnosis and treatment; can be caused by diabetes, thyroid disease, acute kidney disease, malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines |
| Beau's lines | Deep horizontal lines; can be caused by chemotherapy, damage from using artificial nails, severe illness with high fever, certain nutritional deficiencies, or previous illness |
| Leukonychia striata | White lines |
| Longitudinal melanonychia | Brown-black lines |
| Longitudinal erythronychia | Red lines |
| Nail-plate grooves | Beau lines |
| Mees lines | Transverse white nail lines associated with acute systemic stress, such as acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, infection, or exposure to toxic metals |
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What You'll Learn
Ageing
Ridges in fingernails are often a sign of ageing. Vertical ridges, also known as longitudinal striations or bands, are furrows that run from the tip of your fingernail down to the cuticle. They are a common occurrence in older adults, possibly due to a slowing of cell turnover. As new skin cells produced below the skin's surface push older, dead cells out, the process may slow down with age, resulting in vertical ridges. These ridges are usually harmless and not a cause for concern. However, they can sometimes indicate other health issues such as vitamin or mineral deficiencies, iron deficiency, folic acid deficiency, protein deficiency, or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
Horizontal ridges, on the other hand, may point to more serious underlying health conditions and often require medical attention. Deep horizontal ridges are known as Beau's lines and can be a symptom of conditions such as diabetes, malnutrition, peripheral vascular disease (PAD), or kidney disease. Beau's lines can also be caused by chemotherapy, damage from using artificial nails or gel manicures, nail injury, or severe illness with a high fever. Repeated Beau's lines could indicate an underlying condition interrupting nail growth, and a doctor should be consulted for further evaluation and treatment.
While vertical ridges are a common sign of ageing, it is important to pay attention to any changes in your nails, as they can sometimes indicate more serious medical problems. If you notice new ridges or other nail changes, such as colour changes or unusual shapes, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or your healthcare provider for further evaluation and advice. Eating a healthy and varied diet can also help provide the body with the necessary nutrients to promote strong and healthy nails.
To improve the appearance of nails with ridges, some sources suggest gently buffing the nails to smooth their surface. However, it is generally recommended to stick to moisturising your nails, keeping them trimmed, and consulting a dermatologist for personalised advice and treatment options. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent nail ridges, early intervention is crucial to prevent long-term trauma to the nail matrix, which can lead to permanent ridging.
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Vitamin deficiencies
The appearance of lines on your fingernails could be due to various reasons, including vitamin deficiencies. While vertical lines are common as people age, horizontal lines or ridges could be indicative of a vitamin deficiency or an underlying health condition.
Deep horizontal ridges, known as Beau's lines, can be a symptom of acute kidney disease or another underlying condition. They may even stop nail growth until the underlying condition is treated. Beau's lines can also be caused by trauma to the nails, certain medications like chemotherapy, or having cold hands and feet.
Horizontal white lines that extend across your nails are called Muehrcke's lines. These are often a sign of low protein levels in your blood but can also be caused by health problems like liver disease.
If your nails are dry or brittle, it could be a sign of hypothyroidism or an iron deficiency. Weak nails could also be caused by overexposure to moisture or chemicals.
Spoon-shaped nails, or koilonychias, are nails that turn concave. This could be caused by the overuse of cleaning agents or chemicals, but it is more commonly the result of an iron deficiency.
If you are experiencing lines in your fingernails, it is best to consult a doctor or a dermatologist, who may suggest appropriate treatments or dietary changes.
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Skin conditions
Ridges in the fingernails are usually signs of aging. Slight vertical ridges, also known as longitudinal striations or bands, commonly develop in older adults due to a slowing of cell turnover. However, in some cases, they can indicate health problems like vitamin or mineral deficiencies, or even more specific skin conditions.
If you have very dry skin or eczema, you may develop vertical lines on your nails. Treatment for these skin conditions may include moisturisers for your hands or topical ointments to reduce eczema symptoms. Applying moisturiser to your nails and cuticles daily can help relieve dry skin, and you can also apply a skin cream to your hands and wear thin cotton gloves to sleep in.
If you have hypothyroidism, you may experience vertical ridges alongside thick, brittle nails that may crumble or break easily. Your fingertip may also appear puffy.
In addition, some types of anemia may cause vertical ridges, often accompanied by colour changes or texture changes in the nails. A splinter hemorrhage, for example, is a tiny blood clot that can create a vertical discolouration beneath the nail.
It is important to note that changes in nail colour, texture, or shape can sometimes indicate an underlying disease. Dark streaks, redness, swelling, or pitting on the nails may warrant a visit to a dermatologist.
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Thyroid disease
Ridges in fingernails are usually harmless and are a typical sign of ageing. However, they can sometimes be indicative of a more serious underlying health problem, such as thyroid disease.
Some common physical abnormalities that can present in the nail beds and fingernails of people with hypothyroidism include:
- White vertical ridging on both sides of the nail beds, which can indicate a selenium deficiency. Selenium is essential for converting the inactive thyroid hormone T4 into the active T3 thyroid hormone.
- Splitting at the tips of the nails.
- Changes in nail colour, such as dark brown, black, or red spots, which may be a symptom of a more serious condition if they are not due to nail trauma.
- Thinning hair, especially a thinning of the lateral eyebrows.
If you notice any of these symptoms and suspect you may have thyroid disease, it is important to see your doctor for a physical examination and any necessary diagnostic tests. The main treatment for hypothyroidism is a synthetic thyroid hormone called levothyroxine, which helps to raise thyroid hormone levels back to ideal levels.
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Nail injury
Ridges in fingernails are usually harmless but can indicate different things. Vertical ridges, or longitudinal striations, are often a sign of aging, developing in older adults due to a slowing of cell turnover. They can also be hereditary, as in the case of Witkop syndrome, a genetic disease that leads to vertical fingernail ridging, among other symptoms.
Horizontal ridges, on the other hand, can point to more serious issues, such as malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are deep horizontal ridges that may indicate a severe underlying condition, such as acute kidney disease, severe infections, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. They may even stop nail growth until the underlying condition is treated. Other causes of Beau's lines include medications, particularly chemotherapy drugs, and trauma to the nails, which can cause red or brown spots to form underneath.
If you notice swelling and redness alongside a fingernail, it may be caused by an infected hangnail. Ingrown fingernails can often be treated at home, but sometimes a trip to the doctor is necessary.
It is important to pay attention to fingernail ridges and other nail changes as they might be the first signs of a serious medical problem. Treatment for nail ridges focuses on the underlying cause. For example, if Beau's lines are caused by diabetes, successfully managing blood sugar may reduce these horizontal ridges. Similarly, if vitamin or mineral deficiencies are the cause, altering your diet or taking supplements can help. For skin conditions like eczema, moisturizers or topical ointments may be recommended.
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Frequently asked questions
Horizontal lines on your fingernails, also known as Beau's lines, are often a sign of an underlying condition that requires diagnosis and treatment. They can be caused by various factors, including chemotherapy, injury to the nail, or severe illness with a high fever.
Vertical lines on fingernails, also known as longitudinal ridges, are usually not a cause for concern. They are a common sign of aging, with many people developing them as they get older. However, they can also be caused by skin conditions such as dry skin or eczema.
White lines on fingernails, known as leukonychia striata, can be true or apparent, depending on whether they originate in the nail matrix or the nail bed. True leukonychia is caused by abnormal keratinization of the nail matrix, resulting in an opaque appearance.
Brown or black lines, known as longitudinal melanonychia, can be caused by various factors, including trauma, bacterial or viral infections, drug reactions, endocrine disorders, or melanoma. An inspection of the fingernails should be part of a complete physical examination to determine the underlying cause.
Treatment for ridges in fingernails depends on the underlying cause. If the ridges are caused by dry skin or eczema, moisturizers or topical ointments can be used to relieve the symptoms. In cases of vitamin or mineral deficiencies, altering your diet or taking supplements may be recommended. For horizontal ridges or Beau's lines, treating the underlying condition, such as managing blood sugar levels in the case of diabetes, may help reduce the ridges.
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