Ridges on nails, especially vertical ones, are often a normal sign of aging, dryness, or minor trauma, but deep horizontal ridges (Beau's lines) or other changes can signal underlying issues like nutritional deficiencies (iron, zinc), skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis), thyroid disease, severe illness (high fever, COVID-19), diabetes, or chemotherapy, interrupting nail growth; if ridges are deep, sudden, or accompanied by other symptoms, see a doctor.
Certain nutritional deficiencies can cause changes to your nails. Zinc deficiency can cause Beau's lines and white spots on your nails. Iron deficiency can cause vertical nail ridges and koilonychia (spoon nails). Spoon nails have a depression in the middle, like the center of your nail was scooped out.
If your fingernails change color or you develop horizontal nail ridges, consult your health care provider. These changes could indicate an underlying health condition.
Liver failure nails often appear as Terry's Nails, characterized by an opaque white or "ground glass" look across most of the nail, with only a thin, brownish or pinkish band at the very tip and the half-moon (lunula) often disappearing, though other changes like ridges or yellowness (jaundice) can also occur, indicating systemic issues.
4 expert tips to get rid of ridges on nails
If you have horizontal ridges caused by an illness or other short-term issue, the ridges should grow out with the nail plate over time. Unfortunately, it's not possible to get rid of age-related nail ridges.
Subtle or pronounced ridges on the nails may point toward deficiencies in nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin B12. For instance, iron deficiency has been linked to brittle nails or even koilonychia, while inadequate zinc can trigger transverse lines known as Muehrcke's lines.
Symptoms of acute liver failure may include:
What Your Nails Tell You About Your Overall Health
Koilonychia is indented nails. Instead of growing straight, your nails look concave, like spoons. In many people, koilonychia is a sign of iron deficiency. Usually, you can get rid of spoon nails by treating the underlying cause.
Mental and emotional stress can affect nail health and growth. Severe emotional stress, such as a divorce, death in the family or job loss, can cause Beau's lines. Anxiety disorders are another possible cause.
Fingernails: What's typical, what's not
Fingernails are made of layers of a protein called keratin. Healthy fingernails are smooth. They don't have pits or grooves. They're all one color and free of spots.
Patients with reduced plasma magnesium levels can develop soft, flaky nails that are inclined to break or split.
Nail ridges can appear for many reasons. They may be a sign of hormonal imbalance (such as during menopause), a nutritional deficiency or high levels of stress. They can also be triggered by repeated exposure to water or harsh household chemicals.
Horizontal ridges can be caused by trauma to the nail and may be deep or discolored. They can also indicate malnutrition, psoriasis or a thyroid problem.
If there are symptoms of liver disease, they may include: Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice. Yellowing of the skin might be harder to see on Black or brown skin. Belly pain and swelling.
Fetor hepaticus is a distinct smell on the breath of someone with liver disease. It happens when your liver can't filter certain toxic substances from your blood anymore. These substances build up in your blood and come out in your breath. You may also detect the same smell in your pee or sweat.
Pruritus is one of the most common symptoms experienced by patients with cholestatic liver disease. Pruritus associated with cholestasis is characteristically localized to the palms and soles, although generalized itching can also occur.
Three early warning signs of heart failure include persistent fatigue/weakness, shortness of breath (especially with activity or lying down), and swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles, and feet, often accompanied by rapid weight gain from fluid buildup, all signaling your heart isn't pumping efficiently enough. Other key indicators are a chronic cough (sometimes with pink mucus) and heart palpitations.
Cardiologists look at nail signs during a full physical exam to find heart issues. Signs like nail clubbing, splinter hemorrhages, and cyanotic nail beds might mean heart disease. For example, nail clubbing is linked to heart defects and other chronic heart issues.
“When someone is deficient in magnesium, it can show up as weak, flaky nails,” says Dr. Nussbaum. Getting adequate magnesium may also help prevent vertical ridges from forming, so nails grow strong, smooth, and even.
Medium to dark vertical lines on your nails could indicate a Vitamin D and B12 deficiency. Short white lines or spots might point to zinc deficiency. Brittle nails that easily break could mean you're low in calcium and biotin.