What causes lines, ridges & bumps in fingernails & toenails?

Question

Ridges on fingernails indicate what? I have vertical ridges on my fingernails and horizonal ridges on my big toenail

Answer 1

Could be MANY things: Reasons range from prior serious illness, psoriasis, trauma, metabolic disease, infection, etc. It's tough to tell without more details and an exam.

Answer 2

NAIL RIDGE FINGER: A SINGLE HORIZONTAL FINGERNAIL RIDGE IS HARMLESS. IT DEPENDS ON WHICH NAIL, WHEN IT BEGAN, WHAT HABIT DO YOU HAVE WITH THAT PARTICULAR NAIL, AND MORE OF A HISTORY. IT SOUND BENIGN AND HARMLESS. IF YOU ARE CONCERNED, SEE A DERMATOLOGIST.

Answer 3

Injury: Trauma and some illnesses can do this. Remember that nails are related to hair but grow more slowly so that an injury to them may show up over time. I often see this in my oncology patient with certain chemotherapy. They well have lines in the nails.

Answer 4

Different causes: Black stripes down 1 nail may be subungual hematoma. Red or brown streaks may be splinter hemorrhages. Brown/black lines from nail plate to tip are often seen in people with dark skin & are normal. Subungual Melanoma can cause nail ridges & dark colors of cuticle. It most often effects the thumbs or big toes. Dark lines may be due to other illnesses. Get checked out when in doubt.

Answer 5

It depends: Changes in fingernails can be indicative of an underlying medical disorder. Ridges or bumps can be related to iron deficiency. Anemia, lupus, heart disease, and thyroid disorders can also can changes to the fingernails. Fungal infection also can cause bumps and discoloration of the nailbed.

Answer 6

Horizontal Nail : ridges: (Beau's line) have a variety of possible causes: 1. nail injury (biting nails, crush injury or pressure to nail in runners). 2. Chemicals (some nail polish removers. 3. ) Infections- yeast/ fungus, viral warts. 4. Skin cancer (malignant melanoma). 5. Renal, liver, thyroid diseases, Raynaud's Disease. 6. arsenic poisoning or silver overdose 7. malnutrition. 8. Zinc Deficiency.

Answer 7

A number of things: Nail issues really need to be examined to determine a clear diagnosis and possible cause. However, some ridges can be entirely normal. Repetitive trauma can cause nail changes as can disease states.

Answer 8

Nail lines: Changes in nails can result from trauma, fungus, and systemic conditions such as psoriasis. I would recommend evaluation by a podiatrist or dermatologist if you are concerned.

Answer 9

Several things: Transverse (side-to-side) ripples can be normal or result from an injury or illness. Longitudinal lines can represent splinter hemorrhages (a possible sign of small blood clots), nail fungus or even melanoma (a very serious skin cancer). If you are concerned, have a podiatrist evaluate your nails for a definitive diagnosis.

Answer 10

Sometimes this: Is a normal variant, sometimes it could be blood that is dried, melanoma at times needs to be ruled out.

Answer 11

Various things: In people with skin of color it may be a normal variation. Skin growths may also cause them, both of the benign and malignant kind. See your dermatologist.

Answer 12

Different causes: Black stripes down 1 nail may be subungual hematoma. Red or brown streaks may be splinter hemorrhages. Brown/black lines from nail plate to tip are often seen in people with dark skin & are normal. Subungual Melanoma can cause nail ridges & dark colors of cuticle. It most often effects the thumbs or big toes. Dark lines may be due to other illnesses. Get checked out when in doubt.

What causes lines, ridges & bumps in fingernails & toenails?

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers — it's anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

Ask your Dermatology question free

Talk to a primary care doctor now for a personalized answer to your Dermatology question

Trusted by millions since 2010

Similar questions

What causes a horizontal ridge or bump on a fingernail?

What causes dark lines under fingernails?

What causes ridges and bumps on fingernails?

What cause faint lines on toenails?

What causes black lines in the toenails?

Related questions

I have a bump under my thumbnail. No other fingernails are affected. I have hypothyroidism. What could be the cause?

I have horizontal ridges or bumps on my left thumb and right middle fingernails. May sound trivial but have never had them. Should i be concerned?

Recently my nails have been breaking extensively. Not just my fingernails but my toenails too. I'm really worried. I can't grow them at all. Reason?

What causes fragile fingernails and toenails and what can help remedy and prevent this?

I only wear orthopedic flipflops &never shoes. i dont wear socks. im wondering what the scientific (phisiological?) reason my toenails are strong & never break, yet my fingernails-which im never hard on whatsoever-always break & split all my life?

Found in:

People also asked

Disclaimer:

Get the Free App for Members

Get the Free App for Doctors

Product

Company