Sometimes, these stripes can be a sign that someone isn’t getting enough nutrients, like certain vitamins or minerals, such as vitamin B12, magnesium, or iron.
While vertical ridges are usually harmless and often seen in older adults, if they suddenly appear or become more noticeable, it might be a good idea to check for health issues like anemia or thyroid problems.
Horizontal Stripes
Horizontal stripes, or grooves, can point to more serious health issues.
These lines, known as Beau’s lines, can show up after an injury to the nail or due to serious health problems like malnutrition, uncontrolled diabetes, heart attacks, or lung diseases.
These horizontal ridges often happen when there’s a temporary stop in nail growth, which can occur during times of high stress or illness, as the body might slow down or pause nail growth during those tough times.
The NCBI states that if the grooves on nails grow suddenly, it could mean there was a quick onset of a disease. When these grooves show up on all 20 nails, it often points to a serious health issue like mumps, pneumonia, coronary thrombosis, Kawasaki disease, syphilis, or hypoparathyroidism.
White Stripes
White, straight lines that run horizontally across the nails without sinking in might suggest 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.
