If you look into your fingernails, you might see some lines forming, and you will be wondering what it is and what it means.

Your fingernails can say a lot about your state of health, and it can be an indication if you are taking care of your being.

Conditions like stress, kidney issue, and thyroid diseases can cause changes in your fingernails. But sometimes, most ridges in fingernails are harmless.

What vitamin deficiency causes vertical lines in fingernails? You might be lacking some Vitamin A, protein, calcium, and zinc if you see some ridges in your fingernails. You might not think that this is harmless, but there’s an underlying issue that you are missing.

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In this short read, you will understand why you see some vertical lines in your fingernails and how to prevent them.

Causes And Symptoms Of Ridges In Fingernails

Fingernails are composed of living skin cells found in your fingers. A ridge in fingernails can cause by eczema and skin dryness.

It can happen if you have a low supply of protein, calcium, zinc, and Vitamin A.

Vertical Ridges

Vertical Ridges are long furrows that run from the cuticle to the tip of your fingernail.

They are most commonly known as longitudinal striations or bands. You will notice these vertical ridges when you are an adult.

It is due to the slowing of cell turnover.

Cell turnover is when new skin cells are produced below the skin’s surface, and they will rise and eventually replace the older dead cells.

Iron deficiency anemia or IDA can also trigger vertical ridges.

It changes your nails, making them more concave and spoon-shaped. If you experienced some colorization or a change in texture, it might be a medical condition.

For instance, their vertical ridges change colors in trachyonychia, making your nails brittle and rough.

Treating Ridges In Fingernails

Fingernail ridges are usually a good indication that you might have something wrong with your body.

The treatment is mainly on the underlying cause of the changes in your nails. For instance, if you developed Beau’s line because of your pre-existing condition like Diabetes.

You need to control your blood sugar and see if these lines will disappear.

For the treatment of eczema, there are a lot of ointments and moisturizers available for your hands.

It is to reduce the eczema symptoms that will eventually affect your fingernails.

If you think you are not getting enough vitamins or minerals, it might be necessary to alter your diet and take some supplements to boost the levels.

It is advisable to buff your fingernails with an emery board, and this tool can help with the smoothing of the ridges.

You might need to do this carefully and light it so you won’t cause any further damage to your nails. Always consult your dermatologist to get the best care for your nails.

Conclusion

Overall, when you notice some ridges in your fingernails, it is often associated with aging.

Vertical ridges are typically found in aging adults, indicating some illness associated with them.

Make sure to monitor your health and seek guidance from professionals if you notice something wrong.