Iron deficiency anemia can also trigger vertical ridges and changes to your nails that make them concave, or spoon-shaped. They may actually stop nail growth until the underlying condition is treated. Trauma to your nails can cause red or brown spots to form underneath your nails. Sudden changes in your nails should be examined by your doctor. If you damaged your nail in an injury, you may wait to see how the nail and your finger heal for a few weeks before deciding whether to see a doctor.
Your doctor may order urine and blood tests if they suspect kidney disease, diabetes, or nutritional deficiencies. If it appears the ridges are the result of a skin condition, a dermatologist can start you on a treatment plan. If the cause of your fingernail ridges is unclear, your dermatologist may take some fingernail clippings to have them analyzed in a lab for signs of infection.
Because fingernail ridges are usually signs of other health problems, treatment is focused on the underlying cause of the changes to your nails. Treatment for skin conditions such as eczema may include moisturizers for your hands or topical ointments to reduce eczema symptoms. If low levels of minerals or vitamins are to blame, you may be advised to alter your diet or take supplements to boost your levels.
Buffing your fingernails with an emery board may help smooth ridges. Ask your dermatologist for advice on treating your nails. You can connect to a dermatologist in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool. Most of the time, ridges in fingernails are normal signs of aging.
These might be the first signs of a serious medical problem. Ridges in the fingernails are often normal signs of aging. Are they cause for concern? What causes vertical ridges in fingernails? How to get rid of those lines. Take a supplement. Hydrate your nails—just as you would your skin. Protect your nails from UV rays. Apply a ridge filler if you want to use polish. The bottom line.
It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you. Jamie Schneider mbg Associate Editor. More On This Topic Beauty. Jamie Schneider. Emma Loewe. With Sahara Rose. Integrative Health. Functional Food. Simon Hill. Lindsay Boyers. Latest Articles Mental Health. Daniel Amen, M. Sarah Regan. Personal Growth. Jason Wachob. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.
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Dark brown, purple, or red spots under the nails may be signs of serious conditions, such as melanoma or endocarditis. Fingernail ridges that appear suddenly or appear with any other symptoms should be examined by a doctor as soon as possible.
Typically, nail injuries do not require treatment. However, if damage to the nail is extensive, a person should see their doctor immediately.
During the diagnosis, the doctor will ask the person how the injury happened or how long they have noticed symptoms. If doctors suspect an underlying disorder is causing fingernail ridges or other symptoms, they will often order additional tests and take blood or urine samples. Ridges in the fingernails are often a sign of an underlying condition.
Treatment typically focuses on resolving the condition that is causing the nail ridges to appear. For instance, if a skin condition such as eczema is causing ridges in the fingernails, the dermatologist will try to reduce the symptoms of eczema by prescribing topical treatments.
In doing so, the cells controlling fingernail creation may be healed, which would help the ridges disappear. Although not every person will develop ridges in their fingernails as they age, unfortunately, there is no known way to prevent them from forming.
Eating a varied and healthful diet may be a positive step towards providing the body with the fuel it needs to create strong, healthy nails and prevent fingernail ridges. When fingernail ridges develop as a result of a person aging, they are harmless.
However, anyone that notices any additional symptoms or changes in the nail that accompany the ridges should visit a doctor or dermatologist. Healthcare practitioners may help diagnose and treat any underlying conditions causing the fingernail ridges. Iron is a vital mineral in the body, central to transporting oxygen around the body in the hemoglobin.
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