Vertical Lines on the Nails: A Symptom with Many Possible Causes

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  • Early signs of cardiovascular problems

  • General nail fragility

    • Causes

    Vertical nail ridges can be related to:

    • Aging (a normal part of the aging process)

    • Trauma (e.g., injury to the nail matrix)

    • Infection

    • Malnutrition or nutritional deficiencies

    They may also be associated with medical conditions, including:

    • Anemia

    • Rheumatoid arthritis

    • Dermatitis

    • Hypothyroidism

    • Psoriasis

    • Nail biting (onychophagia)

    Symptoms

    The most common signs include:

    • Vertical or horizontal ridges, more or less pronounced

    • A thin or brittle nail plate

    • Notches or cracks along the nail edge

    • Discoloration or loss of shine

    These symptoms may be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause.

    Diagnosis

    To determine the cause, a dermatological examination is usually the first step. This includes visual assessment and may involve tools like videomicroscopy.

    If an infection is suspected, a nail sample may be taken for microbiological testing. Based on the results, your dermatologist can identify the cause and recommend the appropriate treatment.

    Treatments

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