Fingernails: Horizontal or Vertical Ridges, Pitting, Shape
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2009/03/02 - Updated: 2022/06/24
Topic: Finger and Toenails - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Information regarding fingernail condition, including shape, nail color, and pitting, spoon nails plus vertical and horizontal fingernail ridges. Vertical fingernail ridges (Lengthwise grooves or ridges) may indicate a kidney disorder (kidney failure); associated with aging or iron deficiency (Anemia). It may mean a tendency to develop arthritis.
Introduction
Your Fingernail condition, shape, and color can often alert you to underlying health problems. Common conditions include nail color changes, pitting, spoon nails, as well as vertical and horizontal fingernail ridges.
Main Item
- Nail pitting
Small depressions in the nails are common in people with psoriasis - a skin condition that produces scaly patches. They may also result from nail injuries. Pitting may cause your nails to crumble. Pitting is also associated with conditions that can damage your nail's cuticle, such as chronic dermatitis of your fingers or alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss.
- Fingernail Ridges
Ridges can signify a possible infection such as the flu.
- Vertical ridges
(Lengthwise grooves or ridges) - may indicate a kidney disorder (kidney failure); associated with aging; iron deficiency (Anemia). It may indicate a tendency to develop arthritis.
- Nail clubbing
Clubbing occurs when the tips of your fingers enlarge and your nails curve around your fingertips. This condition results from low oxygen levels in your blood and could be a sign of lung disease. Clubbing is also associated with inflammatory bowel disease and liver disease.
- Paronychia (felon)
Inflammation of the nail folds, which appear red, swollen, and tender. The cuticle may not be visible. Causes: fungal infection, secondary bacterial infection, people whose hands are often in water are more susceptible.
- Spoon nails
Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Spoon nails may be a sign of iron deficiency anemia.
- Mee's lines
Transverse white lines run across the nail, following the shape of the nail moon. Can occur after acute or severe illness, Arsenic poisoning.
- Absent half-moons
White half-moons missing or receding can indicate pituitary problems or poor circulation.
- Terry's nails
With the condition known as Terry's nails, your nails look opaque, but the tip has a dark band. Sometimes this can be attributed to aging. In other cases, it can be a sign of serious illness, such as; Congestive heart failure, Diabetes, Liver disease, and Malnutrition.
- Beau's lines
Beau's lines are indentations that run across your nails. They can appear when growth in the area under your cuticle is interrupted by injury or severe illness. Diseases or illnesses associated with Beau's lines include; Uncontrolled diabetes, Circulatory diseases, such as peripheral artery disease, Illness associated with a high fever caused by pneumonia, scarlet fever, mumps or measles, and Malnutrition.
- Nail separates from the nail bed
With a condition known as onycholysis, your fingernails become loose and can separate from the nail bed. If your nails show signs of detaching, this may be associated with: Injury or infection, Thyroid disease, Drug reactions, Reactions to nail hardeners or acrylic nails, and Psoriasis.
Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.