Iron deficiency can cause vertical nail ridges and koilonychia (spoon nails).
Some dermatologists suggest you can gently buff nails to remove ridges. However, it's recommended to stick with moisturizing your nails, keeping them trimmed, and checking with a dermatologist for further consideration.
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.
Vertical nail ridges are fairly common and nothing to worry about. Vertical nail ridges extend from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. With age, vertical nail ridges may become more numerous or prominent because of changes in cell turnover within the nail.
Summary Adequate magnesium intake is crucial to prevent vertical ridges in your nails. This mineral also helps with protein synthesis and the formation of new nails.
Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.
Horizontal ridges, also called Beau's lines, may be a sign of kidney disease or another underlying condition. The fix: For vertical ridges, you can gently buff the surface of your nail to smooth them. For horizontal lines, see a healthcare professional to find the underlying cause.
Koilonychia is an abnormal shape of the fingernail. The nail has raised ridges and is thin and curved inward. This disorder is associated with iron deficiency anemia.
Vitamin D is necessary for the absorption of calcium, which maintains healthy bones. If your nails are peeling, brittle, or have vertical ridges, you may be vitamin D deficient.
Horizontal ridges run from side to side on your nails and are often referred to as Beau's lines. Horizontal ridges can be caused by trauma to the nail and may be deep or discolored. The can also indicate malnutrition, psoriasis or a thyroid problem.
Beau's lines are horizontal ridges or dents in one or more of your fingernails or toenails. They're a sign that an illness, injury or skin condition interrupted your nail growth. Treating the underlying cause will allow new, smooth nails to grow again.
Typically, you may develop vertical ridges from the cuticle to the tip of your nail on one or two fingers, but ridges are likely to occur on all of your nails as you get older. Ridges can appear on someone's fingers as early as in their 30s, but it is more common to begin when someone is in their 50s or 60s.
RA may even lead to changes in your nails, such as the development of vertical ridges or a yellowing and thickening. Changes to your nails can be signs of RA or other systemic conditions and should be diagnosed by a doctor.
Effects of Stress on Nails
This rubbing causes a distortion of the nail plate, and when the nail grows, a raised ridge forms in the middle of the nail. In addition, physical or emotional stress, certain diseases, and chemotherapy can cause white horizontal lines to appear across the nails.
A deficiency in vitamin A, or the minerals calcium and zinc may cause ridges to appear on your nails. Some conditions unrelated to vitamin deficiency cause nail abnormalities, so discuss your concerns with your health care provider.
The indentations can appear when growth at the area under the cuticle is interrupted by injury or severe illness. Conditions associated with Beau's lines include uncontrolled diabetes and peripheral vascular disease, as well as illnesses associated with a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.
COVID nails are increasingly being recognized as the nails recover after infection and the growth recovers leaving a clear line.
When your body lacks calcium, your nails become thinner, weaker, and brittle. You may notice that they break easily and just don't look as healthy as they used to. Although nails and bones are made up of different substances, they're similar enough that poor nail health may be an early marker of bone density problems.
Terry's nails is a type of nail discoloration. The nailbeds look “washed out,” except for a thin reddish-brown strip near the tip. Often, Terry's nails is a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes. Sometimes, it is a sign of aging.
If your nails turn yellow, thicken, and seem to stop growing, it could be a sign of something going on inside your body. Lung disease and rheumatoid arthritis can cause yellow nails. You may also have a serious nail infection, which requires treatment.
Zinc is found in high-protein foods such as meat and seafood. While these important nutrients do contribute to our hair, skin and nail health, it's not necessary to start a whole new supplement routine. In most cases, a supplement is only needed if there is a vitamin or mineral deficiency.
Curved nails with swollen fingertip
A swollen fingertip, curved nail, and thickening skin above a nail are often signs of thyroid disease.
Thyroid hormones also influence the quality of your skin in a variety of ways. With hyperthyroidism, you may notice itchy and dry patches of skin. Your face may feel softer and swollen. You may even notice swelling around your fingertips.
A condition called Beau's lines is a common cause of horizontal fingernail ridges. It is often associated with uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and zinc deficiencies. Beau's lines can also be caused by illnesses, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps, and pneumonia.