Ridges in Fingernails, Vertical, Horizontal, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Removal

Do you have ridges in your nails? Get insights on the causes of vertical and horizontal ridges in fingernails. You will also learn more about the various treatment of such ridges.

Ridges in Fingernails – Meaning

Ridges are raised lines on the fingernails running either vertically or horizontally. The small ridges on your nails may become defined and more prominent as you age. This can give your fingers an abnormal look.
These ridges may also be accompanied with other symptoms such as discoloration, curled nails, separation of the nail from bed and white spots on nails.
Nail ridges that appears vertically are common and they does not indicate an internal body condition. They are considered to be genetic and therefore they does not require a medical treatment. They usually become more defined and apparent as you age.
The horizontal ridges normally run from one side of the nail to the other one. They are usually symptom of underlying body illness or a medical condition. The appearance of such ridges on fingernail can tell you more about your overall health.
The horizontal ridges that may be accompanied with discoloration may indicate different undiagnosed medical conditions such as circulatory diseases, thyroid problems or anemia. You are supposed to visit your doctor right away you start experiencing such symptoms on the fingernails.

Ridges in Fingernails – causes

Vertical or horizontal ridges are quite common. You may be experiencing this condition and wondering what causes ridges in your fingernails. This nail condition can be caused by trauma on the nail or other internal body conditions. It is important to visit your doctor to diagnose the exact cause of the ridges especially when they appear horizontally. Some of the causes includes the following:

  1. Malnutrition

Malnutrition may be caused by lack or inadequate intake of certain nutrients into your body that leads to deficiencies. Different problems of your nails such as ridges and yellow toenails may result from deficiencies of minerals and vitamins in your body.
The B vitamins plays an important role by ensuring your overall body health is good. Inadequate intake of vitamin B-12 is useful on how to strengthen nails and its growth. Inadequate intake of such nutrients may lead to ridges in fingernails and other nail problems.
Inadequate minerals in your body can also result to various nail problems such as white spots, yellowish, discoloration and even ridges. Such minerals includes iron, zinc and calcium.  You are supposed to ensure your diet has enough minerals to prevent such problems.
There are various food that are rich in vitamins and minerals. You are supposed to include them in your daily diet to prevent its deficiencies. Such foods includes meat, vegetables and fruits. They contain essential nutrients that your body needs daily for good healthy.

  1. Malabsorption

Malabsorption simply means that certain nutrients are not being absorbed by your body. If you are experiencing ridges, white marks, discoloration and toenail falling off despite taking plenty of vitamins, minerals and protein, then your body has a problem in absorption of such nutrients.
Visit your doctor immediately you start experiencing such symptoms to find out the cause of your absorption problem. You will be diagnosed to find out the cause. You will be given some prescribed medicines to fix your condition.

  1. Inadequate moisture

Inadequate moisture may cause your nail, cuticle and hands to become dry. This may cause your nails to crack, split or develop ridges in fingernails. Individuals who live in hot climate areas are prone to such nail problems. Certain activities such as manual labor and excessive washing of hands may lead to loss of moisture.
Ensure your nails remains moisturized all day by applying a moisturizing oil twice a day on the cuticles and fingers. This helps to restore their healthy look all the time. Your body should also stay hydrated all the time. You are supposed to take at least 8 glasses of water a day.

  1. Internal body diseases and toxins

Nail ridges and other problems can be signs to their causative underlying body condition. Many people doesn’t know that the appearance of nails indicates much about their general body health. Different internal body conditions such as heart diseases and respiratory disorders may cause abnormal appearance of your fingernails
Other disorders such as psoriasis may also affect your fingernails and the joints. When you start experiencing such symptoms on the nail, it is important to find out the cause by visiting your doctor. You will be diagnosed to determine what causes horizontal ridges in fingernails.

  1. Old age

As you age, your whole body is affected including the fingernails. The small vertical ridges becomes more defined and prominent. As the body ages, the level of oil produced by the skin decreases. This may cause the skin around the nails and cuticle to become dry.

Vertical Ridges on Fingernails

Vertical or ridges on the fingernails can be described as small raised lines that runs up and down on the surface of your nail. Vertical ridges is a common nail abnormality that you may experience as you age or as a result of other genetic features.
In contrast with horizontal ridges, the vertical ridges are not caused by trauma to the nail or internal body disorders. They are harmless ridges and they usually become defined and prominent as you age. There is nothing to worry much if you are only experiencing the vertical ridges without any other symptom.
However, if the vertical ridges is accompanied with other symptoms such as brittle nails and splitting, you may be suffering from a condition known as onychorrhexis. Although the exact cause of this condition is not well known but it is linked to age. It is common among people in advanced ages.
The appearance of the vertical ridges alone is referred to as onychrrhexis, while the split of the nails at the end alone is known as onychoschisis. This is according to the research done by Dr. Joseph Jorrizzo who is a dermatologist. He is also a professor at Wake Forest University of Winston-Salem.
According to Dr. Joseph, individuals with longitudinal ridges in fingernails are also likely to have brittle and split nails. This type of ridges is not associated with any type of internal body condition. They can affect both the fingernails and the toenails and is as a result of aging.
Both male and female can experience longitudinal ridges as early as in their 30s but they become more numerous and prominent when they reach at the age of 50 years. As you age, your whole body system is affected. Your skin develops wrinkles and the nails can form ridges too.

Horizontal Ridges in Fingernails

The horizontal nail ridges are deep grooved lines that normally runs from one side of the nail plate to the other. They should not be confused with longitudinal ridges that runs from the button of the nail to the finger tip.
Horizontal ridges should not be ignored as they may be symptomatic to their internal body causative disorders. Lack of certain nutrients in your diet may also interrupt the formation of keratin in your nails and hence result to such lines to appear on the surface of nail plate.
The various internal body disorders may cause this nail condition. Some of the disorders includes: autoimmune diseases, respiratory diseases, harsh toxins in the body and other infections. Different infections and diseases results to various types of horizontal ridges as described below:

  • Beau’s lines. This are deep groove lines that are darkened underneath the nail. Such lines results from injuries to the nail, malnutrition, metabolic problems, acute illnesses, chemotherapy treatments and other conditions that may interfere with keratin formation in the nail.
  • Muehrcke lines. These are horizontal ridges in thumbnails and other fingernails as a result of kidney and liver diseases. Other conditions that may cause such lines includes malnutrition and chemotherapy treatments.
  • Transverse ridges. They are ridges in fingernails and toenails as a result of chronic or severe internal body illness. You are likely to experience such lines if you are suffering from life threatening conditions like cancer.
  • Terry nails. The ridges are accompanied with other symptoms such as white nail plates and other discolorations. Various internal body conditions such as kidney and liver diseases, diabetes, HIV and Aids and other diseases causes such lines to appear on the tips of your nails.
  • Aldrich mees lines. This are horizontal discolored ridges that appears across the nail plate. Arsenic poisoning may cause such lines to appear on your nails. Other toxins that results from intake of silver may also result to such lines.

The bumpy fingernails is not supposed to be ignored. You are supposed to visit your doctor right away especially when the ridges are accompanied with other symptoms such as blue nails, white marks, pale nails, pits on the surface of the nail plate, distorted nails, clubbed nails, discolorations under the nail and widening of dark streaks in the nail.

Fingernail Ridges Treatment

The presence of ridges on your fingernails may give your nails an abnormal look. Therefore there are various home remedies for toenail fungus and other treatments you can use to fix your problems. Some of the treatments may also help to prevent future development of ridges. They include the following:

  1. Maintaining a healthy diet

The type of diet you take determines the overall body health including the nails. Maintaining a balanced diet can help to treat ridges in fingernails as well as preventing other nail problems. Your diet should contain plenty of fruits and vegetable. Such foods contain different minerals that helps in healthy development of nails.
Avoid junk food that has low levels of nutrients. You are also supposed to take plenty of water each day. Water plays very important roles in your body such as eliminating toxic substances and supporting the organs. Take at least 8 glasses of water daily to prevent grooves in fingernails.
Take nutritional supplements containing B 12 vitamins, calcium, zinc and iron. Deficiencies of such nutrients in your body results to various nail problems such as ridges, white marks and falling off nails.

  1. Take good care of your nails

Washing your hands thoroughly and moisturizing the nails helps to prevent the growth of fungus and other bacterial infections that may cause nail problems. You are also supposed to prevent new infections by wearing gloves when gardening or touching dirty.
The manicurist is also supposed to be gentle on your nails. Minor injuries from the nail file may cause new nail problems. Treat the minor injuries on the nail for healthy nail recovery. Such injuries may cause nail bed infections that may result to various nail problems.

  1. Visit your doctor for treatment of potential diseases

The various nail problems may be an indication of the underlying diseases. Some of the diseases includes kidney and liver diseases, diabetes, respiratory diseases and cancer among other potential disorders. Visit your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Ridges in fingernails will disappear after several month of treatment.

More references:

http://www.md-health.com/Fingernail-Ridges.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beau%27s_lines
http://www.empowher.com/nail-ridges/content/nail-health-horizontal-dents-or-beau-s-lines

White Spots on Nails, Marks, Patches, Dots, Fingernails, Toenails, Causes, Treatment

Do you have white spots, marks, patches or dots on your nails? This article contain insights on the causes of white spots on nails and how to get rid of them using various treatments and remedies.

White Spots on Nails

Most people experience white spots on their nails at some point in life. The white spots may disappear without treatment as the nail grows while others may appear frequently.
It is important to find out the cause of such spots as they can be symptomatic to internal body causative conditions.
Your body may be trying to send a signal of unhealthy condition especially when the white marks comes in different patterns frequently. Such marks are not supposed to be ignored. Some of the causes of this nail condition includes the following:

  1. Injuries to the nail

An injury to the base or matrix of the nail can cause white mark, dots, lines or patterns. Different injuries such as banging your nails in a door or with a hammer can cause such spots. They may not appear immediately after an injury, it may take several weeks to notice them when you will have forgotten about the injury.

  1. Nail infections

White spots on nails can also be a symptom of different fungal infections such as yeast or mold. The white spots caused by an infection normally appears on the cuticle or tip of the nail. Such infections may cause the nail to become flaky, thick and then split or toe nail falling off. It may also be accompanied with some pain while wearing shoes.
Fungal superficial onychomycosis is an example of such infections that causes white marks on the nails. It normally affects the toenails and can lead to loss of nails if not treated. Prescribed oral antifungal medication and other topical ointments can be used to cure such infections.

  1. Allergic reactions

The nails can also develop white dots or marks when they suffer from allergic reactions to some of the nail care products. In most cases, white spots on nails normally develops after trying a new nail polish, nail hardener or polish remover. The use of acrylic nail also causes trauma to your fingernails that results to this condition.

  1. Deficiency of certain minerals

Different minerals in your body plays a very important role in ensuring that your nails and other organs are healthy. Such minerals includes zinc and calcium. Zinc deficiency causes white streaks or spots on the nails. Taking a diet that contain such minerals may help to resolve your nail problem.
There are various food that you need to in cooperate in your diet that are rich in zinc. Such foods includes yogurt, crab, spinach, nuts, whole grains, oyster and baked beans. On the other hand, calcium also plays an important role in ensuring that white spots on nails does not occur.
Women mostly suffers from calcium deficiency and as a result they may develop the white spots on toenail and fingernails. You may also suffer from other symptoms such as dry and brittle hair or thinning. You can simply fix this problem by including calcium in your diet. There are various products and food that contain calcium such as calcium fortified food and orange juice.

  1. Protein deficiency

Protein deficiency in your body may cause horizontal white bands that appears on the nail bed. Since the bands are deeper on your nail bed, they doesn’t disappear with the growth of the nail. Such lines normally disappears when the level of protein increases in your body. Consider taking food rich in proteins such as fish, turkey beast, and lean beef, beans, yoghurt or pork loin.

  1. Serious internal body conditions

There are various internal body conditions that present different symptom on outer body surface including white spots on nails. It is important to visit your doctor right away you start experiencing discoloration of nails or yellow toenails. It may be easier to treat your condition when diagnosed on time. Some of the conditions includes: liver diseases, kidney diseases, or anemia.

White Spots on Fingernails

White marks on nails are also called leukonychia or leuconychia. It is a medical term used for white spots or marks on the nails. This condition is harmless when caused by minor injuries such as nail biting or other injuries to the nail base or matrix.
Leukonychia on fingernails is a symptom of calcium, zinc or other vitamin deficiency in your diet. However, other people say that the deficiency of the above minerals and vitamins doesn’t cause this condition.
The marks usually disappears when the fingernails grows. There are various types of leukonychia that you may experience. They include the following:

  • Leukonychia totalis

This is whitening of your entire nail. It may be a symptom of low levels of albumin in your body. It is a condition that is commonly experienced by individuals who are suffering from kidney or liver failure and problem in absorption of proteins in the body. Taking of certain antibiotics for long time may also result to this condition.

  • Leukonychia partialis

This is the whitening of parts of your fingernails, it may cause white spots on nails, marks or strips. When leukonychia partialis is not controlled, it may lead to leukonychia totalis which is the whitening of the whole fingernail. However, there are three types of leukonychia partialis that includes:  transvers, punctate and longitudinal.
Leukonychia transverse normally causes whitening of the nail in bands from the base or matrix to the cuticle. The bands usually runs parallel to each other. In most cases, this condition is caused by physical injury to the nail matrix such as slamming the nail with door, counter or hummer. The trauma caused on the nail during manicure may also cause this condition. Various infections and illnesses such as measles, malaria, leprosy or herpes may cause this condition.
Leukonychia punctate is referred to as true leukonychia, it is common and causes white dots or spots to appear on the nails. This condition is common among the children who bite the nails and other nail bitters. It is commonly caused by trauma on the nail. A single or a couple of fingernail may experience this condition after several weeks from injury. This white spots on nails normally disappears after the nail has fully re-grown.
Longitudinal leukonychia
This type of leukonychia is not very common. It causes small longitudinal lines to appear under the nail plate. It is associated with nail bed infections. Such lines normally disappears after treatment of the causative condition.

White Marks on Nails

White marks on nails or medically known as leukonychia commonly results from an injury to the nails. Although other internal body conditions may cause this condition, there is a number of things you can do to avoid or minimize injuries on your nails. They include the following:

  • Being careful with your nails

The white marks may take up to six weeks to develop on your nails after an injury. This simply means that you will have forgotten about banging your fingers in a car door or hammering them. It does not mean that only major injuries will cause this condition, the minor injuring you may be assuming may also cause the white mars to appear on your nails.
You are supposed to avoid habits that may cause minor injuries to your nails such as biting and using then to cut or open bottle tops. You are also supposed to avoid exerting pressure on them. The nails need the same care as that given to your skin.

  • Avoid harsh nail care products and nail polish

The use of certain nail care products and polish may cause white spots on nails due to allergic reaction. Try to change such products when you notice white marks on your nails. The nails may be trying to let you know that the product you are using is not suitable for them.

  • The manicurist should be gentle on your nails

Buffing and filling the nails can also cause damage on the nail. Your manicurist should be gentle while performing his or her services. Many of the manicurist may deny this by saying that this condition result from deficiency of some vitamins, minerals or proteins. But the fact remain that rough manicure services may damage the nails.

  • Protect your nails from minor injuries

Protect the nails while doing activities that may cause minor injuries. Such activities includes washing, gardening and cleaning among others. The hands are also supposed to be protected from germs that may enter the nails to cause an infection.

White Spots on Toenails

White spots on toenails is quite common among many people. The marks may vary from white to yellowish and appears on the cuticle of the nail. The common white spots appears on the nails as a result of injury caused on the matrix from wearing ill-fitting shoes.
Fungi is the common cause of white spots on nails. The fungi is found in the dumpy areas like public washrooms and pools. You may get infected while walking in such areas with bear feet’s.
You are also likely to get infected if you are covering the toenails with polish all the time. The polish prevents the toenails from getting free oxygen and hence encourages the spread of the fungal infection.
The common types of fungi that affects the toe nails includes the yeast, mold and dermatophyte. Wearing of closed and ill-fitting shoes can also prevent the toenails from getting oxygen. This may encourage the spread of fungal infection especially is you have sweaty feet.
You can prevent fungal infections by ensuring that your shoes have enough room for the toes. Consider wearing open shoes that allow free oxygen circulation on the toes. Avoid walking in dumpy areas that may contain fungi with bear feet’s

How to Get Rid Of White Spots On Nails Fast

There are various ways you can employ to get rid of white spots or marks on your nails. They include various treatment and remedies that ensures a healthy growth of your nails. They include the following:

  1. Let them grow out

The easiest way to get rid of white marks on nails is to let them grow. The nail will grow and move together with the marks. After it has separated from the bed, you can now clip it off or file them down. The only thing you need to have is patience, it may take several month to grow out.

  1. Keep your nails and hands clean

Some of the marks are caused by different infections. Keeping your hands and nails clean all the time can help to prevent such infections. You are supposed to wash them thoroughly with an anti-septic solution to kill the fungi and other micro-organisms that can cause this condition.

  1. Take a balanced diet

It is believed that white marks on nails are sometimes caused by deficiencies of some nutrients in your diet. Taking a balanced diet is healthy for your entire body including the nails. Your diet should include plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, fish, meat and low fat dairy. You may also consume foods and drinks that are fortified with calcium for healthy nails.

  1. Cover them with nail polish

Covering the affected nails with a polish may help to get rid of white spots on nails. By the time the polish wears off, the marks may have disappeared. There are different colors of nail polish and you may consider the one that suits you.

  1. Moisturize your nails

It is important to keep your hands moisturized all the time. Consider using a hand lotion and apply on the areas around your nails to keep the healthy. You may apply the lotion twice a day for the best results.

  1. Visit your doctor for treatment

Nail discoloration can result from internal body conditions. If your condition persists after trying some of the home remedies for toenail fungus and other treatments for the marks, it is the high time to see your doctor. He or she will diagnose your condition and give the appropriate treatment that will help your marks to fade away.
More sources and references:
http://www.newhealthguide.org/White-Spots-On-Nails.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukonychia
http://www.md-health.com/White-Spots-On-Nails.html