Longitudinal Ridging

1. [noun] longitudinal ridging (not to be confused with Beau's Lines) is found on the nails in the shape of vertical marks or lines running from the base of the fingernail to the top. The ridges are raised lines which can be caused by a number of factors. Most people will have a couple of these lines even if they are perfectly healthy. The degree of ridging may be more severe if there is a problem during the growth phrase of the nail. Horizontal lines and marks, which are called Beau’s lines, may be a warning of a health issue. Vertical lines from cuticle to the end of the nail typically is normal aging process of nails. It may not be an indication of a serious disease but simply a disruption of the regeneration properties related to normal aging. With aging, nails ability to absorb nutrients decreases. If the ridges are deeper and rough/uneven and brittle, they are more prone to spitting. In some cases, it may be due to a condition called “onychorrhexis”. This can be due to a many health conditions and should be referred to a doctor. Onychorrhexis or “brittle nails” WITH longitudinal ridges, it may be due to: Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) Myxoid cysts Lichen plants Darier disease Trachyonychia Viral infections Auto immune response Some genetic diseases or due to physical or emotional stress Prognosis and accurate diagnosis can help in the treatment of longitudinal ridging. Depending on the precision of the treatment the ridges may clear up completely in some cases. Naturally the nails already affected will not change, however the fresh growth may be void of the ridging if the underlying medical problem has been resolved. It may take anywhere between six months to a few years for this to happen. In some diseases the ridging may be a symptom that is difficult to eliminate

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