What are nail ridges?
Nail ridges are raised lines in the nails of the fingers or toes that may run vertically along the nail or horizontally across the nail. Nail ridges typically develop in adulthood and may become more pronounced with age. However, nail ridges can also develop more rapidly and may arise from a variety of causes, including localized infection or systemic illness, disease, or poisoning.
While nail ridges are not typically a serious problem, they can serve as a warning sign for a serious systemic infection or disease within the body, particularly if they develop suddenly or if the ridges form in unusual ways, such as horizontally across the nail. The formation of Beau’s lines (trenches that run across the nail) may indicate a serious underlying cause, including sudden illness, toxicity, or a nutritional problem.
The chance of developing a localized inflammation or infection of the nails, often caused by bacteria or fungus, can be reduced through proper care and grooming of the nails and by keeping the skin around the nails clean and dry.
While the formation of nail ridges can be a natural byproduct of the aging process, they can rarely be an indication of a serious medical condition. Seek prompt medical care if you notice the sudden formation of nail ridges or if you develop horizontal ridges across your nails. If your nail ridges develop suddenly or cause you concern, seek prompt medical care.
Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for serious symptoms, such as dehydration, convulsions or difficulty breathing, as these may be signs of a life-threatening condition.
What other symptoms might occur with nail ridges?
Other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition, may accompany nail ridges. Symptoms that frequently affect the nails may also involve other body systems.
Localized symptoms that may occur along with nail ridges
Additional localized symptoms may be present in areas around nail ridges including:
- Pus or other fluid under or around the nails
- Skin infections
- Streaking or other discoloration of the nails
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
Nail ridges alone are not typically a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency setting. However, if you have a severe infection or illness that accompanies your nail ridges, this condition could lead to a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:
- Confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment
- Convulsions
- Dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea, or a decreased desire to drink fluids
- Difficulty breathing
What causes nail ridges?
Nail ridges can have many different causes that may include local events or systemic conditions affecting your body as a whole. While some local events, such as trauma, may not be serious, systemic conditions that lead to nail ridges can be serious or life threatening.
Horizontal ridges across the nail can be a symptom of a serious underlying disorder, especially if discoloration is also present. Beau’s lines (trenches that run across the nail) may indicate a variety of problems that interrupt the normal growth of the nail, including an acute illness, a nutritional problem, or poisoning.
Localized causes of nail ridges
Nail ridges may be caused by localized events including:
Bacterial infections
Trauma, such as slamming your fingernail in a door or accidentally hitting your nail with a hammer
Systemic causes of nail ridges
Nail ridges may be caused by systemic events including:
Alopecia areata (loss of hair in circular patches)
Anticancer chemotherapy
Hand-Foot-Mouth disease (viral infection)
Kawasaki disease (acute bout of blood vessel information, occurs mostly in children)
Serious or life-threatening causes of nail ridges
In some cases, nail ridges may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency setting, particularly when ridges form horizontally across the nail or discoloration is also present. Life-threatening causes of nail ridges include:
Arsenic poisoning
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Nutritional problem, such as inadequate diet or difficulty absorbing nutrients from food that is eaten
Toxic ingestion, such as eating poisonous plants, mushrooms, or chemicals
Questions for diagnosing the cause of nail ridges
To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your nail ridges including:
When did you first notice your nail ridges?
Do they occur on more than one nail?
Do your nail ridges run vertically or horizontally across the nail?
Do you have any other symptoms?
Do you have a history of other medical conditions?
What are the potential complications of nail ridges?
Nail ridges often develop as part of the aging process, but they can also develop suddenly because of local or systemic events. Although nail ridges that occur as a result of injury to the nail or rarely serious, nail ridges that occur as a result of an underlying event, such as an illness or poisoning, can lead to serious complications. Because nail ridges can be due to serious systemic events, failure to seek treatment can result in complications and permanent damage. Once the underlying cause is diagnosed, it is important for you to follow the treatment plan that you and your health care professional design specifically for you to reduce the risk of potential complications including:
Cosmetic disfigurement
Dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea, or a decreased desire to drink fluids
Organ failure or dysfunction
Unconsciousness and coma
