Why is there lines in my fingernails

Subungual melanoma is a type of melanoma affecting the nails that can disrupt nail growth at the nail matrix. A common sign of subungual melanoma is discoloration of the nail — the nail may have a brown stripe or section. People with diabetes must be sure to monitor their blood sugar and dose themselves with insulin.

If blood sugar rises too high, a person can experience various health complications, from nerve damage to heart disease. It can also interrupt nail growth. The sacs may fill with fluid or pus. This leads to:. Scarlet fever is an illness that sometimes affects people who have strep throat. People who develop scarlet fever experience a bright red rash covering much of the body.

It usually occurs along with a sore throat and high fever and often affects younger children and teens. If left untreated, it can cause major bodily problems affecting the heart, kidneys, and other body parts. Zinc is a mineral found in many foods in our diet, from oysters to beans. A lack of zinc in the body may be caused by a poor diet or other factors. A black line on the nails is known as a splinter hemorrhage. It can be caused by local trauma, such as getting your finger stuck in a door, or a medical illness like endocarditis or psoriasis.

Another kind of line, which can be black or brown, is known as melanonychia. 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. A shortage of iron can cause health problems…. A look at a black line on the nail, a common change that can happen due to a range of causes. Included is detail on the diagnosis and when to see a…. This article explains ways to strengthen the nails.

However, there is no lotion that speeds up nail growth. We look at home remedies and dietary tips…. All you need to know about ridges in fingernails. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Types and causes Other causes and symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Takeaway Many different health conditions can cause changes in the nails and nail bed, including shaping ridges in the nails.

Types and causes. Share on Pinterest Ridges on the fingernails may be vertical or horizontal. Usually, the cause is aging. Other causes and symptoms. You can prevent traumatic ridges by not picking or shoving your cuticle back. Not only can an infection cause damage to the nail matrix and potentially deform your nail, but the act of pushing back the cuticle can bang it up, creating a permanent ridge template for all future nail growth.

The same goes for prolonged water exposure, like when washing dishes. The nail cells absorb water, expand, and then contract when they dry out, which can weaken the bonds between nail cells over time, says Dr. When you do have to wash your hands, switch to a moisturizing hand soap, suggests Dr. The Mayo Clinic recommends that 20 to 30 percent of your calories come from healthy fats olive oil, nuts, seeds , 20 percent from protein lean meats, fish, beans , and 45 to 50 percent from healthy carbohydrates fruits, veggies, whole grains.

And when you amp up your diet, keep foods that are known to promote healthy nail growth top of mind. Think: dairy products milk, cottage cheese, plain greek yogurt , biotin veggies, eggs, nuts , and zinc lean meats, fish, spinach, mushrooms. Why not OTC hardeners?

Prescription nail hardeners, on the other hand, contain chemicals that not only work to increase the strength of the nail, but trap moisture in, preventing nail brittleness in the process. Ridge fillers operate much like a base coat that settles into the nooks and crannies of your nails, giving you a smooth canvas to work with.

Go with typical nail polish for your manicures, which is less damaging to your nails than acrylic or gel. Besides being a major trigger of horizontal nail ridges, these types of manicures can also change the pH of the nail, affecting its strength.

Your fingernails can reveal a lot about the state of your health. Conditions ranging from stress to kidney and thyroid disease can cause changes in your nails. One common change is the appearance of vertical or horizontal ridges. Most of the time, ridges in fingernails are harmless. Fingernails are made by living skin cells in your fingers. So a skin condition such as eczema may lead to fingernail ridges. Skin dryness can also cause these ridges.

If your body is low in protein, calcium , zinc , or vitamin A, a deficiency can sometimes be revealed by ridges in your fingernails. Vertical ridges are furrows that run from the tip of your fingernail down to the cuticle. They are sometimes called longitudinal striations or bands.

Slight vertical ridges in fingernails often develop in older adults, possibly due to a slowing of cell turnover. This is when new skin cells produced below the surface of your skin rise up to take the place of dead cells that are discarded from the surface. If you experience other symptoms like color or texture changes in your nails, it may be caused by a medical condition. In trachyonychia, or nail dystrophy, the ridges may be accompanied by a change in color to your nails, or your nails may become rough or brittle.

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.