Vertical fingernail ridges

What are Vertical Fingernail Ridges?

Fingernailsare commonly known as one of the primary indicators of one's health, and much information can be gained about the body simply by studying them. Ridges that run the length of the fingernail are a common issue that people face, and there are several causes for them. These ridges sometimes form as symptoms of health problems such as respiration disorders, thyroid disease, anaemia (low blood iron) or circulatory system issues, although they can also form simply due to the body's age. Bear in mind that there is a difference between vertical and horizontal fingernail ridges, the latter being a probable indication of medical issues that are unlikely to be readily noticed otherwise.

Thefingernail may show no other signs of less than optimal condition (such as brittleness, cuticle condition, colour, shape, etc.) but still have vertical nail ridges. These ridges can be identified as raised lines or grooves running from cuticle to nail tip. They might still show up as the nail grows, even though they may not be apparent on the nail bed.

WhatCauses Vertical Nail Ridges?

Areduction in moisture and natural oils in the fingernail plates is a common symptom of ageing, and often causes these vertical nail ridges to appear. This means that they are mostly a natural effect of age rather than a warning for health issues. Fingernail ridges can also be a hereditary issue.

Anothermajor cause of vertical fingernail ridges is dryness of the nails, which typically occurs due to contact with chemical agents such as home cleaning solutions. Any chemical agent can potentially leave the nails dried out, damaging them and causing the ridges to form.

How to Care for Fingernail Ridges

Verticalfingernail ridges can be prevented or removed by taking the following advice into consideration. Patience is the key in these procedures, since the body often takes time to heal even minor problems such as this.

Eatinghealthily is the first step; providing the body with a balanced mix of proteins, vegetables, fruits and vitamins can go a long way in preventing many minor illnesses or afflictions. Drinking plenty of water is always beneficial to one's health, as is avoiding junk food that typically contains a lot of unhealthy fats, oils and acids.

Usingrubber gloves while working with chemical agents is also advised, as is keeping the nails as clean as possible. Moisturising the fingernails and cuticles using hand lotion is also a good way to directly prevent vertical nail ridges from forming. To reduce the appearance of existing nail ridges, slowly buffer the nail plates to gradually eliminate the raised edges. Observing these procedures daily and over a long period of time will ultimately lead to the nails looking healthier and ridge-free.