If your nails are peeling, brittle, or have vertical ridges, you may be vitamin D deficient.
Our nails naturally develop slight vertical ridges as we age. However, severe and raised ridges can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin B12 or keratin can result in fingernail ridges.
The appearance of dents or dimples on the surface of the nails is known as the pitting of nails. The pitting of nails is due to a lack of Vitamin D deficiency. An allergic reaction or auto-immune disorder also causes it.
Answer From Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D. 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.
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. Leukonychia is white streaks or spots on the nails often due to drugs or disease.
What do fingernails look like with anemia? If a person has anemia, their nails may be pale or spoon-shaped.
Moisturize your nails regularly
“Keeping your nails hydrated with a hand cream or oil can minimize the appearance of ridging and protect the keratin of the nail,” says Donna Hart, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Texas.
This article explains that vitamin D is metabolized in the skin by keratinocytes, the cells that produce keratin, the protein found in hair, nails and skin. Without enough vitamin D, the keratinocytes in hair follicles may not properly function, resulting in disruption in the hair growth to hair shedding cycle.
Vitamin D — Vitamin D extends the active growth phase of your follicles, allowing you to keep a fuller head of hair, and it reduces hair loss and peeling nails.
“Adding an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement can make improvements in just three to four months time. Vitamin D with a strength of 1000-2000 international units daily is the recommended dose for most adults,” Dr. Ropte says. Most multivitamins contain vitamin D, so extra supplementation isn't always necessary.
Folate. Folate is a B-Vitamin helps create healthy red blood cells, which means an increased ability to get oxygen and nutrients to those nail beds. Deficiencies in folate are known to lead to nail discolorations or cause ridges in your nails. The recommended daily allowance for Folate in adults is 400mcg daily.
Almonds should be your go to snack if you have vertical ridges in your nails. These ridges are a surefire sign of magnesium deficiency and almonds just happen to be super high in magnesium. They're also a great source of protein, which helps maintain healthy nails, and vitamin e, which prevents nail splitting.
If you have splitting nails, you could be lacking some essential vitamins in your diet. A deficiency of B vitamins, such as biotin, can cause split nails.
If you have a bigger split, you can apply nail glue or clear nail lacquer to hold the keratin together until your nail grows out. Then you can trim or file off the split. If a nail injury caused the split, make sure to see a healthcare provider. They'll make sure you don't have a fracture or injury to your nail matrix.
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.
Onychorrhexis — aka longitudinal ridging — occurs when grooves develop that run the length of your nails, from base to tip. Ridges like these can be a symptom of RA. Deep ridges may cause a fissure where the nail splits lengthwise.
"Stress makes it harder for our bodies to absorb the nutrients, so nail ridging, pitting, and shredding are all side effects that weaken the nail." It's also more than likely that you've reverted to nervous tics like biting or rubbing your nails, which Badouri says "causes more damage to the nail bed".
Healthy Fats
Adding more nuts, seeds, and avocados to your diet will help your nails grow shinier and stronger. Healthy fats help supply the body with magnesium, which is essential for bone and nail health. If you struggle with brittle nails or nails with ridges, your body might be telling you that you need more fat.
Share on Pinterest Damage to the nails through injury can cause ridges to develop. This is usually temporary, and will heal with time. Many people with psoriasis experience problems with their fingernail and nail bed. Eczema may also cause ridges and discoloration in the nail along with other symptoms on the skin.
2 Nail changes in vitamin B12 deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks. The nail pigmentation associated with B12 deficiency is more frequent in patients with dark skin.