What do ridged nails mean

A nail ridge is, at its simplest, a depression in the nail. This valley, often accompanied by white spots or lines, can feel uneven, bumpy, or raised to the touch and it can happen to both your finger and toenails. The good news is that nail ridges aren't painful and they're not usually a reason to worry.

Turns out they're not actually calcium deposits or a lack thereof. Instead, Mona Gohara , a dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale, likens nail ridges to wrinkles in the skin : Most of the time they're just something that happens with age. Longitudinal ridges, the lines that run from your cuticle to the tip of your nail are the most common and usually don't mean much.

So why do they happen? Some people are genetically predisposed to weak, brittle nails that are susceptible to ridging and as you get older, circulation to your extremities can slow down, says Dana Stern , a New York City-based dermatologist who specializes in nail health. An accident such as dropping a book on the fingernail can cause bruising to form underneath the nail and may temporarily change its shape.

Bruising can cause reddish brown spots to form underneath the nail, which will go away gradually as the cells heal and the nail grows out. If discoloration shows up without an accident or injury, it may be a sign of something more serious. Dark brown, purple, or red spots under the nails may be signs of serious conditions, such as melanoma or endocarditis.

Fingernail ridges that appear suddenly or appear with any other symptoms should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible. Typically, nail injuries do not require treatment. However, if damage to the nail is extensive, a person should see their doctor immediately. During the diagnosis, the doctor will ask the person how the injury happened or how long they have noticed symptoms.

If doctors suspect an underlying disorder is causing fingernail ridges or other symptoms, they will often order additional tests and take blood or urine samples. Ridges in the fingernails are often a sign of an underlying condition. Treatment typically focuses on resolving the condition that is causing the nail ridges to appear. For instance, if a skin condition such as eczema is causing ridges in the fingernails, the dermatologist will try to reduce the symptoms of eczema by prescribing topical treatments.

In doing so, the cells controlling fingernail creation may be healed, which would help the ridges disappear. Although not every person will develop ridges in their fingernails as they age, unfortunately, there is no known way to prevent them from forming. Eating a varied and healthful diet may be a positive step towards providing the body with the fuel it needs to create strong, healthy nails and prevent fingernail ridges.

When fingernail ridges develop as a result of a person aging, they are harmless. Hormonal changes can also cause ridges to appear. Abnormal Curving. The condition of an abnormally shaped fingernail is called koilonychia. Vitamin B12 injections would help to remedy this condition. Beau's lines. These appear as horizontal grooves or indents in the nail, and can show up on one or more fingers.

Fortunately, the vertical ridges on your nails are a natural part of aging it's those horizontal ones you need to keep an eye out for.

Fingernail ridges are thin, raised, unpigmented lines that run lengthwise on the nail from cuticle to tip. They can also appear as raised areas that extend across the nail. According to Dr. Dana Stern, fingernail ridges are akin to wrinkles in the nail they can occur on both fingernails and toenails , and things like aging, genetics, compromised circulation, and excessive exposure to chemicals and water can cause these ridges to appear. In fact, these odd little lines are quite common and, normally, are nothing to be alarmed about.

Just be aware if you experience a sudden onset of ridges or observe discoloration that's not related to bruising. These issues could be indicators of illness or medical conditions, so it's best to consult your doctor. However, for most nail ridges, there are effective at-home remedies and preventative measures you can try.

Keep scrolling to learn more about what causes these ridges and what you can do to fix them. Meet the Expert. As you get older, your body's natural oil production slows down. This lack of moisture can cause your nails to become brittle, thin, and prone to peeling —and cause ridges to form.

Although annoying, this is nothing to worry about. Your best defense is eating a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and exercising to keep your circulatory system healthy.

Nail ridges that arise from a lack of the body's natural oils are easy to treat. Your first potential line of defense: hydration. Try applying nail oil, vitamin E oil, coconut oil , or olive oil to your nails to help prevent ridges from forming in the first place.

If you do notice horizontal ridges on your nails, especially after an illness, Shainhouse recommends giving your nails a little extra TLC for a few months or until they grow out to make sure they don't crack.

You can prevent the formation of trauma-induced ridges by simply not picking or shoving your cuticles back: "The cuticle is the only barrier the fingers have to keep dirt and infection out of the tissues of the fingers," says Shainhouse.

Your cuticles may benefit, too; the moisture might help prevent hangnails, cracks , and other discomforts. Use a massaging motion to try to increase blood circulation to your nail beds and distribute the oil evenly.

This wallet-friendly vitamin E oil by Sally Hansen will keep both your nails and cuticles healthy and happy. Use a moisturizing hand soap, a protective hand moisturizer, and consider applying a layer of nail hardener once a week, Shainhouse says. When it comes to moisturizing, you can't really overdo it. Plus, these measures might help prevent future ridges from forming. Similar to how oils may help soothe nail issues by hydrating, moisturizing products may help to not strip nail beds and the surrounding skin.

Using moisturizing products, applying daily sunscreen , and avoiding overly drying products, such as alcohol-based gel sanitizer, may all help in preventing ridges from forming. Look for products like Dr. Dana's Nail Renewal System, a once-weekly, three-step nail system, to provide a new level of care for your nails.