Ridges on Fingernails: Vertical, Horizontal Fingernails Ridges Causes

Posted on March 19, 2010 by TDR in Health FAQ

Looking good is not limited only to one’s face and body. It also involves even those in the periphery such as fingernails, for example. This is because true beauty is not dependent only on singular parts looking good but rather a cumulative effect, a general sense that is applicable to all parts of the body. However, even peripheral parts can have their own problems that may affect one’s sense of beauty. In the case of the fingers, one may have fingernail ridges whose presence is annoying to a person having them.

Although many people have fingernail ridges, very few know what they are and what their presence indicates.

The presence of fingernail ridges is actually one of the health indicators that a person can have. In the same manner that one’s blood pressure or cholesterol level are vital to one’s health, so to in the case with fingernail ridges. As a matter of fact, the type of fingernail ridges that one has is a strong indicator of the type of problem that one has. In the case of horizontal fingernail ridges, the situation can be an indicator of an underlying medical condition such as hepatitis.

On the other hand, if the fingernail ridges are vertical, the condition is most probably due to the nature of the nail itself.

What Causes Fingernail Ridges?

There are various causes of nail ridges and these reason can range from slightly worrying to outright terrifying. However, what is more important is for one to know the actual cause on the development of vertical fingernail ridges and horizontal fingernail ridges. It is for this reason why it is important that one must know their causes. Listed below are some of the common reasons for having fingernail ridges:

  • Due to trauma, especially when the fingernail is hit by a terrific force. Because the nail consists of layers, any force that is applied to it can cause a distortion in the layers.
  • Another reason for developing fingernail ridges is due to changes in a person’s nutrition. This is apparent in the growing years when there is a transition from infant foods to solid foods. This is the case with fingernail ridges deficiency.
  • Another factor for developing fingernail ridges is due to lack of oil in the fingernail area. This results to the drying up the layers in the nail, thus causing a wrinkling effect leading to fingernail ridges.
  • Another factor is frequent use of chemicals on the nails such as nail polish. These can exact a heavy tool in the nail and changes its composition, causing ridges to form.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.