What causes nail lines? Nail lines appear for a variety of reasons, from skin conditions like atopic dermatitis or eczema to protein, calcium, zinc, and vitamin A deficiencies. The orientation and size of the lines are crucial to understanding what’s happening.
Vertical Lines
Vertical lines are ridges that extend from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Generally, older adults tend to develop slight vertical ridges due to decreased cell turnover. This occurs when new cells wait beneath the skin’s surface to replace dead cells.
If other abnormalities are also present, such as changes in color and texture, an underlying condition may be suspected. For example, in trachyonychia, a condition that can be isolated or related to other skin conditions, the nail ridges change color and their surface becomes rough and brittle.
Similarly, people with iron-deficiency anemia may also experience vertical lines. Similarly, changes in shape can give the nails a concave or spoon-shaped appearance.
Horizontal Lines
Horizontal striations, also known as Beau’s lines, are considered a symptom of more serious conditions. These indentations on the nail surface can hinder nail growth until the underlying condition is identified and treated.
Beau’s lines are indicative of acute kidney failure, and when they appear on all 20 nails, they suggest the presence of mumps, thyroid disease, diabetes, or syphilis. According to a study published in Acta Haematologica, they also appear in patients undergoing chemotherapy.
A blow or trauma is another cause of the appearance of red or brown spots under the nails. It is important to be very careful not to confuse these color changes with the symptoms of diseases such as endocarditis or melanoma. In these cases, a dark brown, black, or red discoloration should be observed.
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