Noah Sinclair
Ridges in your nails can be harmless, but they can also indicate an underlying health condition or nutrient deficiency. Vertical ridges are often a sign of aging, while horizontal ridges can point to malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines, which may indicate a serious condition such as acute kidney disease. If you notice ridges in your nails, it's important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. With proper care and treatment, smoother nails can grow in over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ridges | Horizontal, vertical |
| Cause | Ageing, nutritional deficiencies, nail trauma, underlying medical condition |
| Nutritional deficiencies | Iron, protein, folic acid, zinc, vitamins A, C, D |
| Underlying medical condition | Acute kidney disease, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, hypothyroidism, Raynaud's disease, severe infections, melanoma, endocarditis, Witkop syndrome, systemic amyloidosis, rheumatology diseases (gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic sclerosis) |
| Nail trauma | Injury, picking at nails, strong chemicals, artificial nails, gel manicures |
| Treatment | Home nail care, moisturiser, skin cream, cotton gloves, cotton socks, biotin supplements, avoid biting nails or cutting cuticles |
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Horizontal nail ridges
If you notice horizontal ridges on your nails, it is important to consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause. Treating or managing any underlying medical conditions or nutrient deficiencies can help promote smoother and healthier nail growth. Home nail care, such as moisturizing the nails and cuticles and avoiding biting or picking at them, can also help improve the appearance of your nails.
It is worth noting that horizontal nail ridges may take several months to grow out, as fingernails and toenails grow slowly. While you may be able to reduce the appearance of ridges with a nail buffer, excessive buffing can weaken the nails. Therefore, it is important to prioritize addressing any underlying health issues and practice proper nail care to support the growth of new, smoother nails.
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Vertical nail ridges
Ridges in your fingernails or toenails can be a sign of a current or past illness. They may also indicate a nutrient deficiency. Vertical nail ridges, which run up and down the nail, are often a sign of aging. As you get older, your nails can naturally become ridged, dry, brittle, or thick. Most people have some faint vertical nail ridges when they’re younger, and these may become more pronounced over time as the nails get thinner and more brittle. This condition is called onychorrhexis, which involves the nail matrix, responsible for nail growth. Issues with making skin cells and the skin protein keratin can change how your nails grow, leading to onychorrhexis. Onychorrhexis mainly causes vertical nail ridges and splitting of the nails. While it is usually not something to worry about, you should see a doctor if you think it could be tied to another health condition.
Certain nutritional deficiencies can also cause vertical nail ridges. For example, an iron deficiency may lead to vertical ridges in your nails. Other vitamins that can contribute to nail health include zinc, vitamins A, C, and D, and biotin. A well-balanced diet should include enough iron, protein, and folic acid to prevent nail growth problems.
If you have vertical nail ridges, you should first consult a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause. If the cause is not due to a health condition or deficiency, home nail care may help. Applying moisturizer to your nails and cuticles daily can relieve dry skin or eczema. You can also apply a skin cream to your hands and feet at bedtime and put on thin cotton gloves and socks.
It is important to note that treating or managing the underlying medical condition or nutrient deficiency usually allows smoother, healthier nails to grow in. With time and treatment, you may see new, smoother nails grow in.
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Nutrient deficiencies
Ridges in your nails can be harmless and are usually due to the normal ageing process. However, they can also indicate nutrient deficiencies or even a more pressing medical condition.
Zinc deficiency can cause Beau's lines, which are horizontal ridges or dents in your nails, along with white spots. Iron deficiency can cause vertical nail ridges and koilonychia (spoon nails). Spoon nails have a depression in the middle, almost as if the center of your nail was scooped out, and you may be able to hold a drop of water on your nail.
Vitamin A, C, and D deficiencies can also contribute to the health of your nails. According to 2018 research, biotin is also highly recommended to aid in nail health, but more research is needed to understand the full extent of its benefits.
If you have a nutrient deficiency, treating the underlying cause can usually improve the look of your nails and allow healthy nails to grow in. For instance, taking iron or zinc supplements, with your healthcare provider's guidance, may help if you have a deficiency. However, it takes several months for your nails to grow out, and it takes time to see a change in your nails.
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Nail trauma
One of the most common ways to experience nail trauma is by closing a finger in a door or drawer, which can result in blood under the nail, known as subungual hematoma. Nails can also be accidentally torn or split, or a splinter can get under the nail. Repeated trauma to the toenails, such as from ill-fitting shoes, can lead to deformities in the nails, including thickening, discolouration, and lifting away from the nail bed.
Nail biting is another common cause of nail trauma, which can lead to acute paronychia, a type of bacterial infection, as well as dystrophy, where the nail unit becomes inflamed, causing horizontal ridging, depressions, and raised areas. Nails can become permanently shortened as the distal nail bed becomes keratinized, and the risk of infection increases due to the disruption of the nail's waterproof seal.
Other causes of nail trauma include:
- Using artificial nails or gel manicures for extended periods, leading to horizontal ridges.
- Peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism, or Raynaud's disease, which interfere with blood flow to the nail.
- Nutritional deficiencies, such as zinc or iron deficiency, causing vertical nail ridges, Beau's lines, and koilonychia (spoon nails).
Treatment for nail trauma depends on the type and severity of the injury. For minor injuries, home care may be sufficient, including applying moisturizer to the nails and cuticles daily and wearing cotton gloves at night. For more serious injuries, such as deep cuts or fractures, urgent medical care may be required, including X-rays, numbing medication, and in some cases, surgery to repair the nail bed or remove the nail.
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Ageing
Ridges in nails are usually harmless but can indicate various health issues. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, and these may become more pronounced over time as nails naturally get thinner and more brittle. Most people have some faint vertical nail ridges when they are younger, and these may become more noticeable as we age.
Age-related vertical ridges, or onychorrhexis, are typically nothing to worry about and are usually harmless. They extend from the bottom of the nail to the tip and are a natural part of the ageing process. While these ridges cannot be removed, they can be smoothed over with a nail buffer. However, it is important not to buff too often—more than once a month, for example—as this can weaken the nails.
To avoid dry, brittle nails, which can make ridges look more pronounced, you can apply a heavy moisturising cream to your nails and cuticles during the day and before going to bed. Cover your hands and feet with thin cotton gloves and socks to protect your sheets.
If you are concerned about nail ridges, it is important to seek medical advice. While ridges are usually harmless, they can sometimes indicate an underlying health issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can indicate an underlying health condition or nutrient deficiency. Vertical ridges are often a sign of aging, while horizontal ridges can point to medical conditions like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines, which are often a symptom of serious conditions.
If you have nail ridges, talk to your healthcare provider so you can find out the cause and how to treat it. Treating the underlying cause can help you grow smoother nails.
Horizontal nail ridges, also known as Beau's lines, can be caused by chemotherapy, injury to the nail, peripheral vascular disease, severe illness with a high fever, nutritional deficiencies, or skin conditions such as eczema.
