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

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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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