Manicures can hide any bumps or ripples on your nails, but shiny polish won’t cover up any diseases that might be lurking in your body.
Your nails show how healthy you are, and any unusual changes can mean there might be a problem with your liver, lungs, or heart.
Nail health often reflects what’s going on inside us, and when changes happen, it could mean different health issues or just normal aging.
Stripes on nails might not be a big deal, but the National Library of Medicine (NCBI) says that ridges on nails can also hint at more serious health problems, showing that there could be underlying issues.
In this article, we’ll look at the different kinds of stripes on your nails, what they could mean, and when it’s a good idea to see a doctor.
Types of Nail Stripes
Vertical Stripes
Vertical stripes, also known as longitudinal striations, are pretty common and usually stretch from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. They often show up more as people get older because nail ridges can become more noticeable with age.
Sometimes, these stripes can be a sign of not getting enough nutrients, like certain minerals or vitamins (like vitamin B12, magnesium, or iron).
Vertical ridges are normal as we age and are usually not a big deal. But if they suddenly show up or get more noticeable, it might be a good idea to check for things like anemia or thyroid problems.
Horizontal Stripes
Horizontal stripes or grooves can point to more specific health issues.
These are also called Beau’s lines, and they can show up after an injury to the nail or from serious health problems, including malnutrition, uncontrolled diabetes, heart attacks, or lung diseases.
These ridges often happen because of temporary stops in nail growth due to stress or illness, as the body might slow down or stop nail growth for a while.
According to the NCBI, if the grooves grow suddenly, it means there was a quick health issue. And if they show up on all 20 nails, it usually means there’s a bigger health problem like mumps, pneumonia, coronary thrombosis, Kawasaki disease, syphilis, or hypoparathyroidism.
White Stripes
White, straight horizontal lines that don’t dip into the nail surface might show problems with the liver or kidneys. These lines, known as Muehrcke’s lines, usually disappear for a short time when you press on the nail and often show up on several nails at once.
A drop in blood protein levels, especially albumin, can also lead to these white lines, which are often found in people who are malnourished or have chronic liver issues.
If you see Muehrcke’s lines on many nails, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor because it could mean there are protein shortages or kidney/liver troubles.
‘Bad diet’
For most people, having ripples on nails is normal and can be fixed with some buffing or by making healthier lifestyle choices.
Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of protein, vitamins, and minerals like biotin, vitamin E, iron, and zinc can help your nails look better over time.
Dr. Sara Norris, a naturopathic doctor from Los Angeles, tells Healthline that “nail health usually shows how well you’re eating or digesting your food.”
“Weak, brittle, and peeling nails are the most common issues I see in my practice, and these problems are more often caused by a bad diet than by serious diseases,” she says.
Your nails can give you important clues about your health, from normal signs of aging to possible signs of health issues. Most reasons for nail problems are easy to fix, but they can be a good sign of poor health, so make sure to pay attention to what your nails are telling you!