What do grooves on fingernails mean

First, a crash course on what fingernail ridges even are: Vertical nail ridges lines that run from your cuticle to the tip of your fingernail are super-common, and are a normal sign of aging.

Another common cause of ridges is dehydration of the nail plate—say, from frequent manicures or excessive water exposure. These are less common, but equally pesky. Certain stresses to the body, like a high fever or some infections, can also suddenly make the nails stop growing for a short time. This brief halt in production can cause a horizontal ridge in the growing nail plate, and usually pops up on most or all nails following an illness, says Dr.

So what can do you about fingernail ridges that have made themselves a permanent fixture on your digits? Use a moisturizer than contains ceramides or alpha hydroxy acids, which trap in moisture and nourish your nails, such as Aquaphor Healing Skin Ointment.

If your nails are also on the brittle side , the American Academy of Dermatology recommends moisturizing your skin and nails thoroughly before bed and wearing light cotton gloves to help your nails absorb the moisturizer while you snooze. Scaling back on trims reduces the potential for trauma to your nail. Trim your nails straight across, then round the tips in a gentle curve using a very fine nail file like this glass nail file.

Filing snags or irregularities post-haste also helps to prevent future trauma. The skin, including nails, responds to outside stimuli by thickening. Identifying the triggers that cause you to pick at or bite your nails and learning how to manage them can help you hit the brakes on future nail damage.

And in some cases, our nails may pinpoint specific health problems. They usually run straight across the nail. More than one line on one of your nails is usually a sign of repeated external injury to the nail matrix or an infection. Acute kidney failure is a term used to describe what happens when the kidneys rapidly shut down, usually in a period of 2 days or less.

This condition is serious and requires emergency medical attention. Mumps is a highly contagious virus affecting the salivary glands located near your ears. If you have mumps, you may notice that one or both of these glands are swollen. Complications from mumps are rare but possible and may affect the reproductive system, pancreas, brain, ears, heart, and spinal cord.

Mumps was once common in the United States but has become less so, thanks to widespread vaccination campaigns. These hormones regulate everything from growth to metabolism.

Often, people with thyroid issues experience issues related to weight, anxiety, energy level, and tolerance of cold and heat. This infection starts out as one or a few sores, usually erupting on the genitals, rectum, or mouth.

Eventually, a rash covers the whole body, though it will go away again before remaining inactive. It could take decades for the infection to become active again. Usually penicillin can successfully clear an early case of syphilis. If left untreated, syphilis can cause serious damage to the heart, brain, and other organs.

Vertical nail ridges, which are fairly common, extend from the cuticle to the tip of your nail. They often become more numerous or prominent with age, possibly due to variations in cell turnover within your nail.

If your fingernails change color or you develop horizontal nail ridges across your nails, talk to your doctor. These changes could indicate an underlying health condition. Lawrence E. Gibson, M. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Sign up for free, and stay up-to-date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID, plus expert advice on managing your health.

Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. In some cases, the nails may stop growing until the condition is treated. People who have had mumps or syphilis may also get horizontal ridges in their fingernails and toenails. Anyone who develops horizontal nail ridges should see their doctor for a diagnosis as soon as possible. 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.

If the body does not have the proper building blocks to make new cells, the skin and nails may suffer. An accident such as dropping a book on the fingernail can cause bruising to form underneath the nail and may temporarily change its shape. Bruising can cause reddish brown spots to form underneath the nail, which will go away gradually as the cells heal and the nail grows out.

If discoloration shows up without an accident or injury, it may be a sign of something more serious. Dark brown, purple, or red spots under the nails may be signs of serious conditions, such as melanoma or endocarditis. Fingernail ridges that appear suddenly or appear with any other symptoms should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible.

Typically, nail injuries do not require treatment. However, if damage to the nail is extensive, a person should see their doctor immediately. During the diagnosis, the doctor will ask the person how the injury happened or how long they have noticed symptoms.

If doctors suspect an underlying disorder is causing fingernail ridges or other symptoms, they will often order additional tests and take blood or urine samples.

Ridges in the fingernails are often a sign of an underlying condition.