Ridges in Fingernails

Introduction

Many different health conditions can cause changes in the nails and nail bed, including shaping ridges in the nails.

  • In other words, your nails are a window into your overall health, so always mention any nail changes to your healthcare provider.



Vertical Ridges

Vertical Ridges in Fingernails

Vertical nail ridges are fairly common and are usually harmless.

  • Usually, the cause is aging. Hence, nothing to worry about.



Beau's Lines

Beau's Lines

Beau's lines are nail ridges that run horizontally across that the fingernail.

  • A single Beau’s line on one nail may indicate an injury that affected only one finger or toe.
  • Beau’s lines on all of your nails can mean that an illness or stress caused them.
  • Multiple Beau’s lines on each nail may mean that an illness or trauma happened more than once.
  • Thicker Beau’s lines may be a sign that an illness or trauma lasted a longer time.

Beau's lines are not a disease and are not harmful by themselves. They are often a sign of an underlying condition that requires diagnosis and treatment, such as

  • Acute kidney disease
  • Diabetes
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis
  • Severe zinc deficiency
  • Severe emotional stress
  • Mumps
  • Syphilis

Treating the underlying cause can keep Beau's line from coming back once the nails grow out.



Mees' Lines

Mees' Lines

Mees' lines (Leukonychia striata) look like white lines or stripes that run horizontally across the nail.

  • Unlike Beau's lines, Mees' lines are smooth. You would not feel a dent or ridge in the nail.

Mees' lines will eventually grow out on their own, so there is no need for treatment of the lines themselves. However, anyone with Mees' lines should visit a doctor, as they may signify

  • Serious underlying medical condition
    • Cancer
    • Heart failure
    • Kidney failure
  • Exposure to dangerous elements
    • Arsenic
    • Thallium
    • Chemotherapy

NOTE: Mees' lines may look like Muehrcke lines (or apparent leukonychia) or white lines due to injury to your nailbed.

  • Muehrcke lines are paired lines that fade when you press on them. Mees’ lines are single lines that won’t fade with pressure. Also, Muehrcke lines stay on the same place on the nail, but Mees’ lines move up over time as your nail grows.
  • Muehrcke lines are associated with
    • Hypoalbuminemia
    • Liver disease
    • Malnutrition
    • Nephrotic syndrome



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