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What does it mean when you have ridges on your nails?

Best Answers

Vertical nail ridges, which extend from your cuticle to the tip of your nail, are fairly common and often become more numerous or prominent as you age. Vertical ridges in your nails are not a health concern. Although the exact cause of such ridging isn't known, heredity likely plays a role. read more

Having vertical (longitudinal) ridges on the fingernails refers to the presence of tiny raised lines or ridges that run up and down the length of the nail. Ridges are among the different kinds of nail abnormalities that can develop due to aging, nail injury, or trauma, or underlying medical conditions. read more

In trachyonychia, or 20-nail dystrophy, the ridges may be accompanied by a change in color to your nails, or your nails may become rough or brittle. Iron deficiency anemia can also trigger vertical ridges and changes to your nails that make them concave, or spoon-shaped. read more

Horizontal ridges are often an indicator of a health problem which requires medical attention. If you have just noticed ridges in your nails, you shouldn't panic, but you may want to make time to see a doctor to discuss the change. One extremely common cause of ridges on fingernails is malnutrition or malabsorption. read more

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