Ridges on your nails: this is what they say about your health and how to recognize warning signs

Horizontal grooves: Beau’s lines and his leaves

Transverse grooves (Beau’s lines) are more specific. You may find that there is a risk of nail cancer, but it could also be a period when you are suffering from medical stress. Think of malnutrition, poorly controlled diabetes, a heart attack, or respiratory conditions. I can find out more about what you’re looking for, but you’ll find the next word later.

According to the NCBI, a clear, suddenly appearing growth line can indicate an episode of illness. If you see this on all twenty nails, there is often a systemic cause. Conditions that have been associated with this include mumps, pneumonia, coronary thrombosis, Kawasaki disease, syphilis, and hypoparathyroidism.

White transverse lines: Muehrcke’s lines

Where do I move horizontally with white, parallel lines that I don’t see while moving forward? Then these could be Muehrcke’s lines. Striking: they fade briefly when you gently press on the nail and they often appear on multiple nails at once.

These lines can be associated with liver and kidney problems and with low blood protein levels, especially albumin. The words you have written are subject to the transmission of chronic liver disease. Thank you for more information about the links you have received. Please contact me, and I will be able to contact you later.

How to help your nails: nutrition and care

For all these items, the ridges are normal, and the cosmetics are designed to be used in the same way. More importantly, your nails thrive on a nutritious diet. Sufficient protein, vitamins, and minerals are key; biotin, vitamin E, iron, and zinc are known as nail friends. We’ve taken it upon ourselves to do so, but we don’t have to worry about it until now.

Naturopathic physician Dr. Sara Norris is at Healthline’s health care center and has been referred to healthcare providers. In the dark brown colors, the peeling nails are usually traceable to a less than optimal diet, more often than to a large systemic condition.

When to contact a doctor

Although many nail changes are harmless, it’s wise to seek medical advice if there’s a sudden change, if ridges worsen rapidly, if several or all nails are affected, or if you also experience pain, discoloration, deformity, or other complaints. Especially with horizontal grooves or white lines that disappear with pressure, it’s helpful to rule out liver, kidney, or protein problems. In short

I don’t take any small signals over. I don’t know what to do. Sometimes it’s just aging, sometimes it indicates a deficiency or a condition that needs attention. Usually, something can be done about it—from improving your diet to temporary care—and it’s wise to pay close attention to what your nails are trying to tell you.