🔍 What Those Vertical Lines on Your Nails Really Reveal

Ouadie Rhabbouron

Most Common Causes:

âś…Aging
The #1 reason — nail growth slows, surface becomes uneven
âś…Dry nails
Lack of moisture leads to brittleness and ridges
âś…Genetics
Some people naturally develop ridges earlier
âś…Minor trauma
Repeated bumping or nail use (typing, gardening)

📊 Up to 90% of people over 50 have some degree of nail ridging  it’s a normal part of aging.

🟢 When Vertical Lines Are Normal

You likely don’t need to worry if:

  • Ridges are on most nails
  • Nails are pink, smooth at the base, and pain-free
  • Changes are gradual
  • You’re over 40 (natural aging process)

✅ Think of them like wrinkles for your nails  a sign of time, not trouble.

🟡 When to Pay Attention: Possible Health Clues

While vertical ridges are usually harmless, sometimes they can be linked to underlying conditions  especially if paired with other changes.

1. Nutrient Deficiencies

  • Iron deficiency (anemia)   may cause brittle nails or spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia), not ridges
  • Biotin or vitamin B12 deficiency   can lead to weak, splitting nails

✅ Ridges alone are not a reliable sign of deficiency.

2. Psoriasis or Eczema

  • Skin conditions that can affect the nail matrix
  • May cause:
    • Pitting (small dents)
    • Thickening
    • Yellowish discoloration
    • Onycholysis (nail lifting)

✅ Often affects fingernails and skin too.

3. Thyroid Disorders

  • Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can affect nail growth
  • May cause:
    • Brittle, splitting nails
    • Slow growth
    • Dry cuticles

✅ But ridges alone are not diagnostic.

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